Indian Army Day 2024 (India): Indian Army Day is annually commemorated on January 15 to commemorate the moment when Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa assumed command of the Indian army from the British commander-in-chief. Although India achieved independence in 1947, the transfer of power did not occur until 1949.
Indian Army Day History
India has possessed military capabilities since the Indus Valley Civilization, which existed from 1300 to 3300 B.C. Throughout the subcontinent, numerous succeeding dynasties utilized their military prowess to wage war and expand their territories after Alexander the Great. These dynasties included the renowned Maurya, Satavahana, Gupta, Vijayanagara, Chalukya, and Chola.
A series of battles involving armies from central Asia followed the subsequent dynasties, with the Mughals—believed to have originated in what is now Uzbekistan—eventually triumphing. They subsequently expanded their empire throughout the subcontinent. With the establishment of the East India Company, the region was partitioned into presidencies, each endowed with its own military contingent. Madras, Calcutta, and Bombay were the three. Independent regional kingdoms, such as Mysore, managed to retain their territory and triumph over the British Army during battle until 1799, when Mysore’s sovereign, Tipu Sultan, was ultimately vanquished.
One million Indians volunteered to fight in the British Army during the First World War; approximately ninety thousand perished. Similarly, nearly half of the officers who fought in World War II’s engagements were Indian. The emergence of the Indian Independence Movement in 1946 precipitated a divergence of interests among Indian soldiers. Numerous individuals defected or mutinied from the army and navy units commanded by the British. Although the British-era ‘Indianization’ of the armed forces persisted well into the nation’s independence, the definitive transfer occurred on January 15, 1949, which is the date on which we commemorate this event.
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FAQs for Indian Army Day
Is an International Army Day observed?
Although numerous nations observe special days to honor their armed forces or military personnel, there is no international record of a particular date or day.
Who holds the position of Indian Army commander?
Generals command the Chief of the Army Staff; since 2019, Manoj Mukund Naravane has held this rank.
Who assumes the role of the Indian Armed Forces’ commander?
Ram Nath Kovind, the President of India, held the official rank of Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Not until 2020 did India designate its inaugural Chief of Defense Staff; at that time, General Bipin Rawat occupied that position.
Indian Army Day 2024 (India) Activities
Behold the procession.
At the Cariappa Parade Ground in Delhi Cantonment, the Indian Army organizes a military parade. Doordarshan, a public broadcasting service, is providing live streaming of the ceremony. Additionally, Twitter and YouTube broadcast it.
Explore the role that India played in the World Wars.
A limited number of highly regarded books have been published in recent times that explore the intricate and neglected facets of Indian forces’ involvement in the World Wars. Srinath Raghavan’s “India’s War: World War II and the Making of Modern South Asia” is one such work. Raghu Karnad’s “Farthest Field: An Indian Story of the Second World War” is an additional example.
Investigate the military history of India.
Although limited insight has been presented thus far, India’s extensive military heritage and its transformation throughout civilizations, dynasties, and conquests remain far from resolved. Select the era in Indian history that you are least knowledgeable about or that is your favorite, and conduct research on its political and military history.
Five Intriguing Facts Regarding Indian Army Day
The Cholas initially built a navy.
Commencing in the ninth century A.D., the Chola dynasty, headquartered in what is now South India, was the first in the Indian subcontinent to possess naval capabilities.
Mysore was the first to create iron-cased missiles.
Under the leadership of Tipu Sultan, the Mysore Army effectively employed iron-cased and metal-cylinder rockets against the British East India Company.
Each of India’s two field marshals
In contrast to the designation of general, which designates the commander-in-chief of the Indian army, the ‘five-star’ rank of field marshal has been bestowed upon only Sam Manekshaw and, subsequently, K.M. Cariappa.
A parade headed by women
For the first time in Indian history, Parade Adjutant Captain Tania Shergill will preside over the 2020 Army Day ceremony.
Soldiers from India serve as international peacekeepers.
India is a significant troop-contributing nation to United Nations peacekeeping missions, having contributed to 49 of 71 missions.
INDIAN ARMY DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | January 15 | Monday |
| 2025 | January 15 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | January 15 | Thursday |
| 2027 | January 15 | Friday |
| 2028 | January 15 | Saturday |
