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Dogra Regiment |
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| Dogra Regt Crest |
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The Dogra Regiment
The regiment is made up of the Dogra people from the Himachal Pradesh and also the hill regions of Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir. The current regiment was formed in 1877 through the amalgamation of four separate regiments of Dogras as the 17th Dogra Regiment. They were: 1st Battalion - Formerly the 37th (Prince of Wales's Own) Dogras, 2nd Battalion - Formerly the 38th Dogras, 3rd Battalion - Formerly the 1st Battalion, 41st Dogras,
10th (Training) Battalion - Formerly the 2nd Battalion, 41st Dogras. Under the British the Dogra Regiment was recruited entirely of Dogra Rajputs, who are high caste Hindus descended from the original Aryan invaders of India. They inhabit the foothills of the Himalayas between the Jhelum and Sutlej rivers in the Punjab. It was one of the few regiments which was composed of a single class, the majority being made up of class squadrons or companies.
It dropped 17th from its title in 1945 and was allocated to India upon its independence in 1947. After partition, Dogra companies were absorbed from Baluch and Punjab Regiment and the Frontier Force to raise Dogra battalions to its present day strength. The regiment currently has 18 battalions. The 1st Battalion was reroled in 1981 to become the 7th Battalion, Mechanised Infantry Regiment.
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(Dogras in Republic Day Parade)
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The Dogras earned laurels for valour during World War I and II as well as in all major operations after Independence. In the pre-Independence era, the Dogras had to their credit three Victoria Cross and 44 Military Cross awards besides 312 other awards. Post-Independence, the regiment has won an Ashok Chakra, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shree and nine Maha Vir Chakra, 4 Kirti Chakras, 4 Yudh Seva Medals, 36 Vir Chakras, 1 Vir Chakra & Bar, 11 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 5 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, 13 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 17 Shaurya Chakras, 119 Sena Medals, 21 Vishisht Seva Medals, 188 Mention-in-Despatches and 263 COAS's Commendation Cards besides numerous other decorations, including five unit citations.
The Battalions
- 2nd Battalion
- 3rd Battalion
- 4th Battalion
- 5th Battalion
- 6th Battalion
- 7th Battalion
- 8th Battalion
- 9th Battalion
- 10th Battalion
- 11th Battalion
- 12th Battalion
- 13th Battalion
- 14th Battalion
- 15th Battalion
- 16th Battalion
- 17th Battalion
- 18th Battalion
- 19th Battalion
- 1st Battalion is now 7th Mech. Inf.
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