Bihar Regiment is in news globally now because its soldiers have shown the Chinese forces their valour. The soil of Bihar is proud of the Bihar Regiment so it should be named as Proud Bihar Regiment.

The formation of proud Bihar regiment took place during the British time when the 34th sepoy battalion was raised in 1757 by Lord Clive of the British East India Company at Patna. The proud Bihar battalion was formed by men entirely from the Bhojpur (Arrah) district of Bihar. Needless to say that the first freedom fighter Babu Kunwar Singh was from this district who led the freedom struggle of 1857.

The recruitment to the proud Bihar Regiment was subsequently also done from other adjoining areas of the Shahabad area (the present day districts of Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas Kaimur in Bihar). Now the proud Bihar Regiment has diversity representing soldiers from all of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal ,Odisha etc. The commanding officer of the platoon who fought the PLA was led by Col. Santosh babu leading the battalion on fateful night hailed from Telangana.

Proud Bihar Regiment was fierce in fighting and maintaining the tradition of the armed forces. It impressed Mir Kasim, the Nawab of Bengal from 1760 to 1763, who began raising units trained in western combat techniques. It is in history that the proud Bihar Regiment raised by Mir Kasim defeated the British in some engagements. The Bihari, or Purbiya, soldiers thereafter made up the backbone of the Bengal Infantry of the British Colonial Army.

It is well recorded in the history that the soldiers of proud Bihar Regigment were not only excellent soldiers but also quick to learn and apply the tactical drills with initiative. They were disciplined when led by good officers but capable of hostility when their beliefs and customs were disregarded. They had significant role in Indian Rebellion of 1857.

The Soldies from Danapur Cantonment reached Arrah in Bhojpur District of Bihar Crossing mighty Son River to support the Zamindar of Jagdishpur Vir Kunwar Singh who valiantly fought Britsh being an Octogenarian. Arrah was liberated by these soldiers for some days in 1857 from the British tyranny. This was the first freedom movement which started due to the sepoys of proud Bihar Regiment who fought for their motherland.

Due to this , the British bred British hostility towards Bihar. The region was exploited for Indigo, Opium and Saltpetre. Education and other development initiatives were discouraged in the region due to its involvement in the revolt of 1857. The poverty stricken Bihar of today has colonial legacy as one of the reasons for present dismal state of affairs.

Thereafter, Biharis were not encouraged to enter military service by the British until after World War I. Under the vague doctrine of “marital tradition” they were systematically kept outside Armed forces.

FORMATION OF THE PROUD BIHAR REGIMENT:

The Bihar Regiment was formed in 1941. The Bihar Regimental Centre (BRC) is located at Danapur Cantonment, Patna since then till date. Danapur is one of the oldest and biggest cantonments of India.

WAR CRY OF PROUD BIHAR REGIMENT:

The War Cry of the Bihar Regiment when their troops go into the battlefield to face the enemy is Jai Bajrang Bali (Victory to Bajrang Bali) and Birsa Munda Ki Jai (Victory to Birsa Munda)

REGIMENTAL MOTTO

The regimental motto of the Bihar Regiment Is ‘Karam Hi Dharam’, which means ‘Work Is Worship’

BATTLE AND THEATRE HONOURS

The Bihar Regiment has won many battle and theatre honours on account the bravery and valour exhibited by its battalions in capturing key features while in active operations in the India-Pak 1948 War , 1965 and 1971 Indo Pak Wars and 1999 Kargil War.

MOST NUMBER OF RASHTRIYA RIFLES (RR) BATTALIONS

The regiment also distinguishes itself by having the highest number of Rashtriya Rifles battalions (4 battalions: 4RR, 24RR, 47RR, 63RR) among all regiments of the Indian Army.

INS Vikramaditya, the Indian Navy’s largest ship and its sole aircraft carrier is affiliated to the Bihar Regiment. History will remember that In Galwan Valley Indian Soldiers from 11 States fought till their last breath.