Major Shaitan Singh, PVC: India's Braveheart

Early Life:

Major Shaitan Singh was born on 1 Dec 1924 in Banasar village, Jodhpur. His affinity towards the uniform was because of his father, Lt. Col Hem Singh who served in France with the Indian Army during World War I.

Shaitan Singh was good in studies and exceptionally well in sports esp. Football. After completing his schooling in 1943, he went to Jaswant College and completed his graduation in 1947.

In 1949, he was recruited in Jodhpur state forces as an officer, which at that time was a princely state. The Jodhpur was then later on merged with Indian Union and in 1962 was promoted to the rank of Major.

Rezang La:

On 1st Aug 1962, Major Shaitan Singh was transferred into Kumaon Regiment. He was given the charge of the ‘C’ company of 13th Kumaon that was guarding the Chusul sector of Ladakh.

The Chusul sector of Ladakh was at 24 kilometers from the border. It was of great importance as it had an airstrip which could be used by the Indian Air Force with reference to the border dispute of Aksai Chin with China.

Rezang La was an important pass that connected Ladakh with Tibet. It was at an altitude of 17000 feet from sea level and temperature of sub-zero temp. It was difficult to have heavy artillery due to the terrain.

The Battle:

The tensions between China & India escalated and at 03:30 hrs. on 18th Nov 1962, the Chinese troops attacked with heavy firing. The Indian Soldiers gave a fit reply and the enemies suffered heavy casualties.

Bewildered China started pouring his troops and nearly 300 more soldiers started advancing. Under Shaitan Singh exemplary leadership, the Indian troops who were vastly outnumbered remained firm to the ground and were ready to go toe to toe with the enemy.

Soon the numbers started increasing and after wiping the earlier troops the next batch started advancing from the rear. Major Shaitan Singh devised a plan along with some of his troops went on an all-out assault on the enemy.

It is said that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going, the brave men killed as many as came in their way. Major Shaitan Singh led his troops without caring about his life, which boosted the morale and courage in his troops.

The enemy’s MMG shot him down and he was seriously injured but could not deter his willpower. Two of comrades came to save him and came under heavy fire. Major ordered them to leave him and continue firing on the enemy troops.

The comrades followed the order and placed him behind a heavy boulder, where he took his last breath gripping his weapon.

All the soldiers fought to their last breath and till last round. When the ammunition was finished, they fought with bayonets and bare hands to protect their motherland. This crushed the arrogance of the dragon who had a vision of capturing Ladakh.

Many sources say that the Chinese suffered more than 1500 casualties. The legend even says that Major Shaitan Singh himself killed more than 300 men. India suffered a loss of 114 soldiers who did the ultimate sacrifice.

Legacy:

Major Singh’s dead body was found frozen still gripping his weapon under the snowclad land in Feb 1963. It was airlifted to Jodhpur and cremated proper military funerals.

After the war, Major Shaitan Singh was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his leadership, courage, and determination.

A statue has been placed at a square in his native place Jodhpur. His village was also renamed as “Shaitan Singh Nagar” as a tribute to the martyr.

The Battle of Rezang La war memorial reads:

HOW A MAN CAN DIE BETTER

THAN FACING THE FEARFUL ODDS

FOR THE ASHES OF HIS FATHERS

AND THE TEMPLES OF HIS GODS

Important Study Notes for Defence Exams

Defence Specific Notes

Weekly Current Affairs

Current Affairs Quiz

SSB Interview Tips