The First Battalion of the Indian Army’s Parachute Regiment celebrated its Raising Day on October 17

First Battalion, the parachute regiment (Special Forces), in short the 1 PARA (SF), is the oldest Battalion of the Indian Army. The Battalion celebrated its 250th raising Day on October 17, 2011, preceded by a host of activities including a mountaineering expedition, an overseas remembrance expedition, a documentary film, special cover and stamp and a multidimensional rally with sky diving and underwater diving.

Raising, Designations & Honours

The Battalion traces its origin to the Madras Army of the East India Company, having been raised as the eighth Battalion, the Coastal Sepoys by Captain Cooke at Trichinopoly in October 1761. Eight years later, the unit was renamed as eighth Carnatic Battalion; and before the century was out, its designation had been changed twice—in 1770 to Seventh Carnatic Battalion and in 1784 to Seventh Madras Battalion. It rose to give a glorious account of itself, passing through centuries and emerging through incessant campaigning as an epitome of valour, loyalty and military traditions. The designation of the Battalion changed more than a dozen times (see box).

Change of name did not however change the identity of the unit as the Battalion fought from honour to honour—10 Battle Honours and eight theatre honours even as Colours changed over the years (see box).

In the first 60 years, the Battalion fought with Hyder Ali of Mysore, Tipu Sultan, the Marathas and the French in the battles of Coimbatore, Seringapatanam, Pondicherry, Mehidpur and Assenghur that were great victories for the British. Later, it sailed and saw active service in Ceylon in 1795. In 1824, the Battalion participated in the First Angloburmese War, winning Battle Honour Ava and earning the badge of Galley with the motto Khushki-wuh-Tarri (by land and sea). Thereafter, it operated thrice in Burma, also serving in Penang, Malacca and Singapore. In 1903, the composition of the unit was altered to Punjabis, the designation changed to 67th Punjabis and the new century was heralded by marching 1,750 kilometres to Fort Lockhart and vigorous campaigns in World War I, the Battalion fought the siege of Kut-al-Amara and fierce battles against Turks at Tukse Marh, Shumran, Tigris, Qisil Robat, Kudarrah and Nasiriyah. Later, it saw service in Salonica, Batum, Tiflis and Chanak before returning to India in 1920, having earned Battle Honour of Kut-al-Amara and Theatre Honour of Mesopotamia and winning 65 gallantry awards including four DSOs, one MC and 60 Mention-in-Despatches. World War II saw the unit again deployed in Middle East with actions fought in British Somaliland, followed by Battle of Al Alamein in 1942, fighting in Berbera, Alexandria, winning three Military Crosses. In 1944, the unit fought in Italy at Modina, Pratelle Pass, San Martino Sogliano, Mount Farneto, Casa Betini, Trieste, Donato, Vignola, Teodorano, Casa Blanca and Clemente, displaying indomitable spirit in the advance to Cassino, to capture the Idice Bridge Head in 1945 repulsing counter attacks by Germans. The Battalion received official commendation from Field Marshal Alexander, C-in-C Allied Forces in Italy and 53 gallantry awards.

In 1946, the Battalion converted to paratroopers. The first Indian Commanding Officer was Lt Colonel (later Major General) T. Mahadeo Singh, DSO. In 1947, the Muslim companies of the Battalion went to Pakistan while Sikh and Dogra companies from 1/12th Frontier Force Regiment joined the unit. In Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the Battalion fought at Shelatang, Badgam, Baramula, Uri, Beri Pattan, Nowshera, Kotli, Jhangar, Grund Gala, Mendhar, Poonch, Pir Badesar and Bhimbhar Gali, earning Battle Honour Poonch, Theatre Honour J&K 1947-48 and winning seven Vir Chakras and 41 Mention-in-Despatches.

Having weathered the rigours of Jammu and Kashmir operations, the Battalion sailed to Gaza for a UN mission in 1957 under Lt Colonel (later Lt General) I.S. Gill, MC and was commended by the UN Secretary General. For some of the veterans of World War II, the sight and sounds of Port Said were not unfamiliar, having fought at El Alamein and later crossing the Mediterranean to fight in Italy. The Secretary General of United Nations Organisation, Dag Hammarskjold after a visit to the Battalion stated, “I am very much impressed with the military efficiency of the Paratroopers.” The Battalion returned to India in 1961 and celebrated its bicentenary to mark 200 years of unbroken service, being the first unit of the Indian Army to do so. In the same year, it led the advance on Goa. Overcoming opposition, Lt Colonel Sucha Singh, VrC, MC received the surrender of Portuguese troops.