Garh Rif 

Prior to 1887, there was no separate battalion of the Garhwali soldiers. They used to be recruited in the Gorkha battalion, Bengal Infantry and Punjab Frontier. Impressed by their honesty, courage and dedication, the British government decided to form a separate battalion for Garhwali soldiers. The Garhwal Rifles was raised in 1887 to give the Garhwali Hillmen their own regiment. This was propagated by Field Marshal Sir FS Roberts VC, who realised that many Garhwalis had served in Gurkha regiments, and a large proportion of the early awards to Gurkha regiments were actually won by Garhwalis. During the World Wars and the wars fought after Independence, the regiment not only showed exemplary courage but also maintained its unique identity. Mainly comprising the Garhwali soldiers, this regiment fought with great valour during the Kargil conflict. More than 25,000 soldiers of this regiment are at present engaged in the task of safeguarding the motherland.

Soldiers recruited into the Garhwal Rifles are from the Garhwal Hills, one of the most beautiful areas of the Himalayas and are known for their hardiness, simplicity and upright manner. Garhwal consists almost entirely of rugged mountain ranges running in all directions, and separated by narrow valleys which in some cases become deep gorges or ravines. "Garhwal" is the the land of many 'Garhs' meaning forts. This region was made up of many small forts which were ruled by chieftains. Garhwal originally consisted of 52 petty chieftainships, each chief with his own independent fortress (garh). The rulers of Garhwal remained independent and repeatedly expelled the attacks of the Mughal rulers of Delhi. During the 19th century, the Gurkhas attacked Garhwal and drove the rulers of Garhwal down to the plains. Thereafter the rulers of Garhwal took the help of the British forces in India and regained their kingdom. The rulers of Garhwal gave away 60% of their kingdom for the support the British gave them in driving back the Gurhkas.

On May 5, 1887 the first battalion was constituted under the command of Lt Col EP Mainwaring at Almora. On November 4, same year, this battalion reached Kalundanda in Garhwal. In 1890, Kalundanda was renamed as Lansdowne after the then Viceroy of India. In the First World War, the Garhwal Rifles had one of the finest fighting records of any regiment in the Indian army. During the first World War, Nk Darban Singh and Rfn Gabbar Singh were awarded Victoria Cross. As a result of their outstanding bravery in France and Flanders, the Garhwal Rifles was the only Indian Infantry regiment given the title of Royal [The Fifth Royal Gurkhas also earned such a title]. During the Kotkai war in 1920, Lt WD Kenny of the Garhwal Regiment won the third Victoria Cross.

So far the regiment has won 30 battle honours of which five were awarded in the post-Independence period. The regiment has participated in all the wars fought after Independence. The regiment has won one Ashok Chakra, four Mahavir Chakra, 13 Kirti Chakra, and 52 Vir Chakra for exceptional gallantry. In the operation Blue Star, Nk Bhavani Datt Joshi sacrificed his life while fighting the terrorists in Amritsar and was awarded Ashok Chakra. While Lt Col Kaman Singh was awarded Mahavir Chakra during the Indo-Pak war in 1948. Lt Col BM Bhattacharya and Rfn Jaswant Singh (posthumously) were awarded Mahavir Chakra after the Indo-China war of 1962. Capt Chandranarayan Singh was posthumously awarded Mahavir Chakra in the 1965 war.

 The Batallions

• 2nd Battalion
• 3rd Battalion (Scout)
• 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 6th Mech. Inf.