Sant Singh

Brig Sant Singh (1921–2015), whom the freedom fighters in 1971 fondly called “Brigadier Babaji” because of his attire – typical Sikh turban and beard and affectionate attitude, was an officer in the Indian Army. He was one of the six officers of the Indian Army to have been twice decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest war time military decoration. He was one of the Indian officers involved in training the Mukti Bahini, during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and Bangladesh Liberation War.[2]

Brigadier

Sant Singh

MVC Bar
Born12 July 1921 [1]
Panjgrain Kalan, Faridkot, Punjab[1]
Died9 December 2015 [2]
Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar[2]
Allegiance India
Service/branch Indian Army
Years of service16 February 1947 - 1973
Rank Brigadier
UnitSikh Light Infantry
Battles/wars
Awards Maha Vir Chakra Bar

Early life

Sant Singh was born on 12 July 1921 in Panjgrain Kalan in Faridkot, Punjab. He studied in Brijendra High School, Faridkot and RSD College, Ferozpur. [2][1]

Military career

Singh was commissioned into the Sikh Light Infantry on 16 February 1947 on a short-service commission, receiving a regular commission in the Indian Army as a lieutenant on 15 August 1951.[3] He took over as the commander of the Sikh Light Infantry in 1964 and led the regiment to victory in the Battle of OP Hill in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. He remained as the commander of the regiment till 1968. He was promoted to acting brigadier and given command of an infantry brigade on 28 August 1969.[4] He was also instrumental in training the guerrilla forces of the Mukti Bahini and his brigade marched into Dhaka, after catching the Pakistani forces off guard, and thereby forcing the enemy to surrender.

On 10 March 1972, Singh was given command of an infantry brigade.[5] He retired on 12 July 1973 after 26 years of service.[6][7]

Dates of rank
InsigniaRankComponentDate of rank
Second LieutenantBritish Indian Army16 February 1947[3]
Second LieutenantIndian Army15 August 1947[note 1][8]
LieutenantIndian Army16 August 1948[3]
LieutenantIndian Army26 January 1950 (short-service commission, recommissioning and change in insignia)[8][9]
15 August 1951 (regular commission)[3]
CaptainIndian Army
MajorIndian Army16 February 1960[10]
Lieutenant-ColonelIndian Army2 February 1966[11]
ColonelIndian Army17 December 1970[12]
BrigadierIndian Army28 August 1969 (acting)[4]
22 May 1972 (substantive)[13]

Personal life

He has a daughter Satinder Kaur married to Brigadier Sarabjeet Randhawa (Retired). [2][1]

Notes
  1. Upon independence in 1947, India became a Dominion within the British Commonwealth of Nations. As a result, the rank insignia of the British Army, incorporating the Tudor Crown and four-pointed Bath Star ("pip"), was retained, as George VI remained Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces. After 26 January 1950, when India became a republic, the President of India became Commander-in-Chief, and the Ashoka Lion replaced the crown, with a five-pointed star being substituted for the "pip."

References
  1. "Mahavir Chakra Awardees". Indian Army. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  2. "War hero Brig Sant Singh, MVC and Bar recipient, dies at 95". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  3. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 29 September 1951. p. 183.
  4. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 8 November 1969. p. 1095.
  5. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 14 October 1972. p. 1508.
  6. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 10 November 1973. p. 1283.
  7. "Brig Sant Singh's remains cremated with service honours". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  8. "New Designs of Crests and Badges in the Services" (PDF). Press Information Bureau of India - Archive. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 August 2017.
  9. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 11 February 1950. p. 227.
  10. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 30 April 1960. p. 100.
  11. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 30 March 1968. p. 261.
  12. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 19 May 1973. p. 579.
  13. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 10 November 1973. p. 1281.
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