Brigadier Jadunath Singh

 Martyr- Brigadier Jadunath Singh

Brigadier Jadunath Singh was born in a Rathore Rajput family on 21 November 1916 in Khajuri village of Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. He was the son of Birbal Singh Rathore, a farmer, and Jamuna Kanwar. He was the third of eight children, with six brothers and a sister. Jadunath Singh, MVC was an officer in the Indian Army. He was the commanding officer of the 19th foot brigade. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra on 26 January 1950, India's first Republic Day for Gallantry during the Indo-Pak War 1947 in Jammu and Kashmir. 

With raw courage and utter disregard to his personal safety, he attacked the enemy forces and met his gallant death during the charge. For this act of highest gallantry and supreme sacrifice he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous). Singh was enlisted in the British Indian Army in 1941 and served in the Second World War, fighting against the Japanese in Burma. He later took part in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 as a member of the Indian Army.

Though Singh studied up to fourth year standard in a local school in his village, he could not continue his education further due to his family's economic situation. He spent most of his childhood helping his family with agricultural work around the farm.

For recreation, he wrestled and eventually became the wrestling champion of his village. For his character and well-being, he was nicknamed "Hanuman Bhagat Bal Brahmachari". This was after Hanuman, a Hindu god who was unmarried for life. Singh never married. 

During the Second World War, Singh enlisted in the 7th Rajput Regiment of the British Indian Army, on 21 November 1941 at Fatehgarh Regimental Centre. On completing his training, Singh was posted to the regiment's 1st Battalion. During late 1942, the battalion was deployed to the Arakan Province[a] during the Burma campaign, where they fought against the Japanese. The battalion was part of the 47th Indian Infantry Brigade, assigned to the 14th Indian Infantry Division.

In 1945, Singh's battalion was assigned to the 2nd Indian Infantry Brigade and took over the defence of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The islands had been partially occupied by the Japanese forces, which surrendered on 7 October 1945. After returning to India, Singh was promoted to the rank of Naik (corporal). After the partition, the 7th Rajput Regiment was assigned to the Indian Army. Singh remained with the newly raised Indian regiment, continuing to serve in its 1st Battalion. 

The first wave swept up to the post in a furious attack. Displaying great valour and superb qualities of leadership Naik Jadunath Singh so used the small force at his disposal that the enemy retired in utter confusion.

Four of his men were wounded but Naik Jadunath Singh again showed his qualities of good leadership by reorganising the battered force under him, for meeting another onslaught. His coolness and courage were of such an order that the men rallied and were ready for the second attack which came with greater determination and in larger number than the preceding one. 

On 6 February 1948, enemy forces attacked his post in successive waves. He and his section were able to ward off three successive attacks by the enemy. By the end of third wave of the 27 men at the post, 24 men were killed or severely wounded. Despite being grievously injured, armed with a Sten Gun, he single-handedly charged with such courage as to cause the attackers to withdraw. 

Though hopelessly outnumbered, this post under the gallant leadership of Naik Jadunath Singh resisted. All were wounded, and Naik Jadunath Singh, though wounded in the right arm, personally took over the Bren gun from the wounded Bren gunner. The enemy was right on the walls of the post, but Naik Jadunath Singh once again showed outstanding ability and valour of the highest order in action. By his complete disregard for his personal safety and example of coolness and courage, he encouraged his men to fight. His fire was so devastating, that what looked like impending defeat was turned into a victory and the enemy retreated in chaos leaving the dead and wounded littered on the ground. With this act of supreme heroism and outstanding example of leadership and determination, Naik Jadunath Singh saved the post from the second assault.

Naik Jadunath Singh was enrolled in the Rajput Regiment on 21 Nov 1941 at the Regimental center Fatehgarh. After completing his training, he joined 1 Rajput and also took part in World War II, proving his mettle even then. After about 6 years of service, he was promoted to the rank of Lance Naik in July 1947.

The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), an Indian Government enterprise under the Ministry of Shipping, named fifteen of her crude oil tankers in honour of the Param Vir Chakra recipients. The crude oil tanker named MT Naik Jadunath Singh; PVC was delivered to SCI on 21 September 1984. The tanker was phased out after 25 years of service. A sports stadium in Shahjahanpur, the town near the village where Singh was born, was named as "Param Vir Chakra Lance Nayak Jadunath Singh Sports Stadium" in his honor.