Jadunath Singh, PVC (21 November 1916 – 6 Feb 1948) was an Indian Army soldier who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military decoration for his actions in an engagement during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947.
Born in 1916, Singh enlisted in the British Indian Army in 1941 and served in the Second World War. He later took part in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 with the Indian Army. In February 1948, with the rank of naik, he was in command of a nine men strong picket in Tain Dhar, lying to the north of Naushahra, that was placed to counter advancing Pakistani troops. Though heavily outnumbered by Pakistani forces, Singh led his men in defending against three attempts to take over the post. Though wounded, during the last attempt by the Pakistanis to take his post, Singh maintained his defensive efforts but was hit by two bullets and succumbed to his wounds.
Jadunath Singh, a Rathore Rajput, was born on 21 November 1916 in the village of Khajuri[disambiguation needed], near the town of Shahjahanpur in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. He was the son of Birbal Singh Rathore, a farmer, and Jamuna Kanwar. He was the third of eight children, with seven brothers and a sister.
Though Singh studied up to fourth year standard in a local school in his village, he could not continue his education further due to his family’s economic situation. He spent most of his childhood helping out his family with agricultural work around the farm. For recreation, he wrestled and eventually became the wrestling champion of his village. For his character and well-being, he was nicknamed “Hanuman Bhagat Bal Brahmachari”. This was after Lord Hanuman, a Hindu god who was unmarried for life. Like the Lord on which his nickname was derived, Singh never married.
At No 2 picquet on Taindhar on 6 February 1948, No 27373 Naik Jadunath Singh was in command of a forward section post, which bore the full brunt of the enemy attack. Nine men against overwhelming odds garrisoned the little post. The enemy launched its attack in successive waves and with great ferocity to overcome this post. The first wave swept up to the post in a furious attack. Displaying great valour and superb qualities of leadership Naik Jadunath Singh so used the small force at his disposal that the enemy retired in utter confusion. Four of his men were wounded but Naik Jadunath Singh again showed his qualities of good leadership by reorganising the battered force under him, for meeting another onslaught. His coolness and courage were of such an order that the men rallied and were ready for the second attack which came with greater determination and in larger number than the preceding one. Though hopelessly outnumbered, this post under the gallant leadership of Naik Jadunath Singh resisted. All were wounded, and Naik Jadunath Singh, though wounded in the right arm, personally took over the Bren gun from the wounded Bren gunner. The enemy was right on the walls of the post but Naik Jadunath Singh once again showed outstanding ability and valour of the highest order in action. By his complete disregard for his personal safety and example of coolness and courage, he encouraged his men to fight. His fire was so devastating, that what looked like impending defeat was turned into a victory and the enemy retreated in chaos leaving the dead and wounded littered on the ground. With this act of supreme heroism and outstanding example of leadership and determination, Naik Jadunath Singh saved the post from the second assault. By this time, all men in the post were casualties. The enemy put in his third and final attack in undiminished numbers and determination to capture this post. Naik Jadunath Singh, now wounded, prepared literally single-handed to give battle for the third time. With great courage and determination, he came out of the sangar and finally with the Sten gun, made a most magnificent single-handed charge on the advancing enemy, who, completely taken by surprise, fled in disorder. Naik Jadunath Singh, however, met his gallant death in his third and last charge when two bullets hit him in the head and chest. Thus, charging single-handedly at the advancing enemy, this Non-Commissioned Officer, performed the highest act of gallantry and self-sacrifice and by so doing saved his section-nay, his whole picquet from being overrun by the enemy at the most critical stage in the battle for the defence of Nushera.
Legacy
The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), a Government of India enterprise under the aegis of Ministry of Shipping 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 21 September 1984. The tanker was phased out after 25 years of service.A sports stadium in Shahjahanpur, the town near the village where Singh was born, was named as “Paramveer Chakra Lance Nayak Jadunath Singh Sports Stadium” in his honour.
(Ref:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jadunath_Singh)