Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat: India's Braveheart

Early Life

Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat was born on 19 August 1941 in Baryun village of Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand. He joined Indian Army’s 4th Garhwal Rifles at the age of 19.

He got his first posting in Nagaland and within a month he was transferred to Arunachal Pradesh where he fought the first war of his life showing exemplary courage.

Sino-India war 1962

The 1000 km border between India and China was majorly unfenced as it was very uninhabitable & rocky terrain. India respecting the Panchsheel Agreement was unaware that China would attack them and did not improve their defence needs. The Chinese invaded the border and took India by surprise.

The Chinese soldiers attacked the Indian Post on 20th October 1962 in Arunachal Pradesh. It was a standoff between 10,000- 20,000 Indian soldier and about 80,000 Chinese soldiers.

Battle of Nuranang

The Sino-Indian war was on its last legs, when on 17th Nov 1962 when battle of Nuranang was fought. A total of 3 soldiers, Rfn Jaswant Singh, L/Nk Trilok Singh Negi & Rfn. Gopal Singh Gusain were holding there post.

Seeing the huge number of troops, the superiors told them to abandon their posts. Rfn. Jaswant Singh refused to do so.

The local legend - Baba Jaswant

After the refusal, Jaswant Singh along with two Monpa girls named Sela and Nura decided to hold the posts. They had placed guns in a such a manner that Chinese believed that many Indian soldiers were there.

Baba Jaswant as he known today fired from each gun one by one and stopped them from entering the post for 3 days. He succeeded in killing more than 300 Chinese army men.

Later Chinese came to know that he is only one there, so they marched with full force killing Sela. Nura was arrested and Baba Jaswant killed himself. They cut his head back but after ceasefire they returned the head back praising his bravery and valor which he fought with.

Legacy

After the war Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat was awarded Maha Vir Chakra (posthumous), L/NK Trilok Singh Negi was awarded Vir Chakra (Posthumous) and Rfn. Gopal Singh Gusain was awarded Vir Chakra.

4 Garhwal Rifles was bestowed with “Battle Honour, Nuranang”, the only battle honour awarded to any Army unit in the Sino-Indian war of 1962.

In his memory Jaswantgarh War Memorial, Jaswantgarh, Arunachal Pradesh was made to honour him. The place was named Jaswantgarh. His personal belongings are still safe at the post.

Army still believe that Baba Jaswant Singh guards the post as a spirit and is been guiding Indian soldiers in dreams. He is given an unofficial promotion and salary is credited to his account.

A Bollywood movie “72 Hours: Martyr Who Never Died”, is based on the story of Rfn. Jaswant Singh Rawat and is directed by Avinash Dhyani.

^{Img Source: Indiatimes}

Jaswantgarh War Memorial reads:

“Do not lament the death of a warrior killed in battlefield as those who sacrifice their life in war are honored in heaven”

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Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat: India's Braveheart