Sant Singh Explained

Honorific Prefix:Brigadier
Sant Singh
Honorific Suffix:MVC Bar
Birth Date:12 July 1921 [1]
Death Date:9 December 2015 [2]
Birth Place:Panjgrain Kalan, Faridkot, Punjab
Death Place:Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar
Allegiance:
Branch:
Serviceyears:16 February 1947 - 1973
Rank: Brigadier
Unit:Sikh Light Infantry
Battles:
Awards: Maha Vir Chakra Bar

Brig Sant Singh, MVC & bar(1921–2015), whom the freedom fighters in 1971 fondly called “Brigadier Babaji” because of his attire – typical Sikh turban and beard and affectionate attitude, was an officer in the Indian Army. He was one of the six officers of the Indian Army to have been twice decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest war time military decoration. He was one of the Indian officers involved in training the Mukti Bahini, during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and Bangladesh Liberation War.

Early life

Sant Singh was born in Jat family on 12 July 1921 in Panjgrain Kalan in Faridkot, Punjab. He studied in Brijendra High School, Faridkot and RSD College, Ferozpur.

Military career

Singh was commissioned into the Sikh Light Infantry on 16 February 1947 on a short-service commission, receiving a regular commission in the Indian Army as a lieutenant on 15 August 1951.[3] He took over as the commander of the Sikh Light Infantry in 1964 and led the regiment to victory in the Battle of OP Hill in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. He remained as the commander of the regiment till 1968. He was promoted to acting brigadier and given command of an infantry brigade on 28 August 1969. He was also instrumental in training the guerrilla forces of the Mukti Bahini and his brigade marched into Dhaka, after catching the Pakistani forces off guard, and thereby forcing the enemy to surrender.

On 10 March 1972, Singh was given command of an infantry brigade.[4] He retired on 12 July 1973 after 26 years of service.[5] [6]

Dates of rank

Insignia Rank Component Date of rank
16 February 1947
Second Lieutenant 15 August 1947[7]
Indian Army 16 August 1948
Indian Army 26 January 1950 (short-service commission, recommissioning and change in insignia)[8] [9]
15 August 1951 (regular commission)
Indian Army
Indian Army 16 February 1960[10]
Indian Army 2 February 1966[11]
Indian Army 17 December 1970[12]
Indian Army 28 August 1969 (acting)[13]
22 May 1972 (substantive)[14]

Personal life

He has a daughter Satinder Kaur married to Brigadier Sarabjeet Randhawa (Retired).

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mahavir Chakra Awardees . . 10 February 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170211161205/http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmPhotoGalleryWithMenuWithTitle.aspx?MnId=2x24qX2GNbWFK2E66piMXA%3D%3D&ParentID=Z1ivrR%2FSlJTBoZtHACWqpw%3D%3D . 11 February 2017 .
  2. Web site: War hero Brig Sant Singh, MVC and Bar recipient, dies at 95 . . 10 February 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170211081228/http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/war-hero-brig-sant-singh-mvc-and-bar-recipient-dies-at-95/story-wmQYFNOYDMrVQJ6ti5FOAI.html . 11 February 2017 .
  3. News: Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) . 183 . 29 September 1951 . The Gazette of India.
  4. News: Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) . 1508 . 14 October 1972 . The Gazette of India.
  5. News: Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) . 1283 . 10 November 1973 . The Gazette of India.
  6. Web site: Brig Sant Singh's remains cremated with service honours . . 10 February 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170211081349/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/brig-sant-singhs-remains-cremated-with-service-honours/ . 11 February 2017 .
  7. Upon independence in 1947, India became a Dominion within the British Commonwealth of Nations. As a result, the rank insignia of the British Army, incorporating the Tudor Crown and four-pointed Bath Star ("pip"), was retained, as George VI remained Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces. After 26 January 1950, when India became a republic, the President of India became Commander-in-Chief, and the Ashoka Lion replaced the crown, with a five-pointed star being substituted for the "pip."
  8. Web site: New Designs of Crests and Badges in the Services. Press Information Bureau of India - Archive. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170808193914/http://pib.nic.in/archive/docs/DVD_38/ACC%20NO%20807-BR/HOM-1950-01-06_484.pdf. 8 August 2017. dmy-all.
  9. News: Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) . 227 . 11 February 1950 . The Gazette of India.
  10. News: Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) . 100 . 30 April 1960 . The Gazette of India.
  11. News: Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) . 261 . 30 March 1968 . The Gazette of India.
  12. News: Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) . 579 . 19 May 1973 . The Gazette of India.
  13. News: Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) . 1095 . 8 November 1969 . The Gazette of India.
  14. News: Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) . 1281 . 10 November 1973 . The Gazette of India.