Early Life of Naik Jadunath Singh

Born in the Khajuri village of Shahjahanpur district, Naik Jadunath Singh was a son of a poor farmer Sri Birbal Singh Rathore and Smt Jamuna Kanwar. He was one of the eight siblings- seven boys and a girl. He did not have access to good school education and up till the 4th class, he attended the village school. To contribute to the family, he worked in the fields too in addition to his regular schooling. He was well known in his village as a wrestling champion who would often take on the rogue elements of society.

Military Career of Naik Jadunath Singh

On 21 Nov 1941, at the Regimental centre Fatehgarh, Naik Jadunath Singh was enrolled in the 7th Rajput Regiment. After completing his training, he joined the 1st Battalion. He took part in World War II also, proving his bravery and mettle. He was promoted to the rank of Lance Naik after about 6 years of service. His unit was deployed in J&K in Dec 1947 to take part in the ongoing war with Pakistan after it had attacked Kashmir in Oct 1947.

Battle of Taindhar: 06 Feb 1948

On 28 Oct 1947, India officially declared that it would help J&K against the attack on Pakistan. Pakistan made simultaneous attacks on many fronts and Taindhar in the Naushera sector was one such front. It was a very important move for the enemy as it could have paved the way for them to take over the control of the Srinagar airfield. On 01 Feb 1948, India’s 50 Para brigade attacked Naushera and gained control over it whereas Pakistani soldiers suffered heavy casualties and had to retreat.

On 6th Feb 1948, the enemy began to attack this sector by open firing on the pickets of Taindhar ridge. The whole ridge and surrounding hills were under gun and mortar fire. Meanwhile, the enemy entered Indian Territory. The morning of 6th Feb saw a heavy attack by the enemy to capture the post.

Naik Jadunath Singh, who commanded picket No.2 displayed remarkable valour and profound leadership. With his small team, he managed to push back the enemy to their territory. In the attack, four of his men were injured, but he didn’t lose hope and re-organized the forces for another stronger attack. Despite being outnumbered and injured, his forces didn’t leave their post. The enemy came once again but his defence was so strong that he, with very few soldiers left, turned what looked like a defeat into a victory and saved the post a second time too.

By this point, he had lost all of the men of his post. The enemy attacked a third time to capture the post. Naik Jadunath Singh open-fired on the enemy with his gun, despite being alone and injured. The enemy was surprised by the wrath of Sir Jadu Nath Singh. But sadly, during this exchange, two enemy bullets pierced his head and chest and Naik Jadunath Singh was martyred.

Param Vir Chakra Award:

At such a critical stage for Naushera, Naik Jadu Singh saved his picket and was honoured with the nation’s highest gallantry award, “Param Vir Chakra” posthumously, for his outstanding bravery, unyielding fighting spirit and self-sacrifice for the nation.

Legacy:

• In his honour, a sports stadium at his birthplace Hathoura Bujurg in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh is named as ‘Param Vir Chakra Naik Jadunath Singh Sports Stadium’.
• His battalion, 1 Rajput, was awarded the Victoria Cross.
• India Post released a commemorative stamp on 15 Sep 1998 to mark the 200 years of raising the Jadu Nath sir’s battalion. The First-day cover released on 15 Sep 1998 shows a Param Vir Chakra which was awarded to Naik Jadunath Singh.
• The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (SCI), named fifteen of her Crude Oil Tankers in honour of the Param Vir Chakra recipients. The crude oil tanker named MT “Naik Jadunath Singh, PVC” was delivered to SCI on September 21, 1984.
• The Housing project of Jadunath Enclave in Faridabad was also named after him.

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