Amazing story of Garhwal Rifles foundation at “Kaalo Daando” now Lansdowne in 1885

The Garhwal Rifles ( 39 Bengal Infantry) before independence . This is how its soldiers dressed. This might be picture of 1920s or even earlier when Lasdowne was being developed n the British officers n the soldiers lived in tents at 1706 metres above sea level in hell of the cold weather.

It was then known as “KALO DAANDO”, meaning secluded black area where nothing was visible except tales of ghosts.

The land of Kaalo Daando was then owned by the nearby villages which was forcibly acquired or bought by the British at very cheap rates as the owners had no option but to sell them.

It was a jungle n green pasture where pet animals cows, buffaloes used to graze. There were leopards, Jackals n wild bear as well roaming around freely.

The British were very pleased by the services of the then Laat Saheb, a title given to Balbhadra Singh who served in British Army as a brave officer for good number of years and had brought laurels for the British n India in world war in France etc.

When Bhalbhadra Singh Negi retired in 1880 he was asked by the then British officers including Vice Roy to exptess his last wish as a token of gift from the British.

Though reluctant it is said that simple n modest Balbhadra Singh requested to establish a regiment in the name of Garhwalies who were considered to be quite brave n faithful having rendered selfless services with valour to the country then ruled by the British.

During 1880 there was only Kumaon regiment n Garhwali jawans, few in numbers were the part of it. The British readily accepted Balbhadra Singh Negi’s wish and decided to establish the Garhwal Rifles at Lansdowne which was the place especially researched n found by the British who were fond of living in cold areas as hot temperature was unbearable to them.

It took several years for the British officers to develop the densely green area of then KAALO DANDO full of pine trees forest.

After the proposal to form Garhwal Rifles was okayed officially, Bhalbhadra Singh the retired Last Saheb n his family went from village to village and convinced people to join the Garhwal Rifles for several months even years as during those days serving in Army was not the fashion or tradition n people were also not much educated confined to villages, involved in agricultural jobs arranging for survival through crops cultivation.

When people started joining the Garhwal rifles against salaries their interest slowly n gradually increased n the Garhwal Rifles came into formal existence with good number of recruits . Bhalbhadra Singh Negi thus founded the Garhwal Rifles and was also rewarded 300 acres of land by the British at Kotdwar which is today a flourishing township known as Balbhadrapur.

Col E P Manwaring was the first commanding officer in 1887 in Kallu Danda after the official formation of Garhwal Rifles.

Balbhadra Singh Negi’s entire family was in Indian Army in high positions thereafter which has now several branches n all are well settled n qualied in various fields n desciplines.

The immune system of the soldiers of Garhwal Rifles during the early years prior to independence sounded very strong as living under tents in Winters at Lansedown is beyond anybody’s grasp where anyone can get freezed and badly ill especially during winters.

Today, 44 Garhwal Rifles are the best in Indian Army serving in the remotest areas of LOC n Siachin including in strife torn Kashmir fighting the hard core terrorists n enemies, killing them abruptly with extreme valour n sacrificing themselves in the line of duty.

The Garhwal Rifles bravery in various operations including the wars of 1947, 1971, 1962, 1965 , 199 n in the current Kashmir imbroglio has been highly praise worthy n laudable.

Rifleman Jaswant Singh , Mahavir Chakra Vijeta ( recipient), posthumously, who single handedly killed 300 soldiers of China in 1962 war of Nurang with Chinese finally sacrificing himself alongwith Trilok Singh Negi, his compatriot were also from Garhwal Rifles. He was then merely just 21 years old. Salutes to Garhwal Rifles and its founder Late Balbhadra Singh Negi.

Salutes to Garhwal Rifles and its founder Late Balbhadra Singh Negi.