Antiquity of Jat Race by US Mahil/Jat Bravery of the Modern Times
Text Wikified By : Ch. Reyansh Singh
JAT BRAVERY OF THE MODERN TIMES
This chapter dealing with modern times appears to be an anomaly in this book which deals with antiquity. My only purpose is to show that unparalleled bravery which has been the chief characteristic of Jat race throughout the ages has continued upto the modem times. I need not be profuse as I am not writing the history of modern times. The scene still continues before the eyes of the reader. They had a tussle with moslem power in the Punjab, as a result of which they became rulers of the Punjab. Disunion deprived them of that Sovereignty. Under British rule they had many opportunities to show their bravery in different countries of the world. They were pitted against Germans in the first World War. In France where they had the first experience of shells from Howitzers, they took them as fireworks. In the second World War also they fought in many battlefields in three continents. They defeated Germans and Italians in North Africa. They wiped out an Italians contingent from the top of a hill by ascending that precipitous rock under a blasting shower of bullets. The exploits of their world famous fourth Infantry Division in North Africa are still ringing in the admiring ears of the World. The name-and fame of this division as the ‘'Fighting Fourth” was world wide, because they covered themselves with imperishable glory by their magnificent deeds of valour and gallantry born of first class fighting qualities in several theatres of World War II. To name only a few of them they took part in the epic battles of Sidi Barani, Tobruk, Benghazi, Karen, Alamein, Cassino and San Marino. It was to them that the German General Von Oberst Arnim the Commander-in-Chief of Axis forces in North Africa in the Second World War and successor to the famous Field Marshal Rommel surrendered his armies on May 12, 1943 at Tunisia. It was as a result of that surrender that Fourth Infantry Division captured the proudest
War Trophy, the historic Caravan of the said German Commander-in-Chief.
They have been used as shock troops everywhere because they never wince even from the extreme dangers. A couple of examples of personal bravery will do to prove that quality.
Lt. Col Rajindar Singh of Indian Army was awarded Mahavir Chakra. He commanded a tank unit in Jammu Sector. He recaptured Jhangar in March, 1948. The 16 mile narrow road from Nowshehra to Jhangar in those days was extremely bad. Moreover it was completely dominated and flanked by densely wooded hill-features Infested with the enemy. During that month 12 days of incessant rain had made the terrain into a veritable bog. The enemy previous to the rains had planted mines all along this route which had got completely hidden. Lt. Col Rajinder Singh disregarding personal safety led the tanks. But one of them was blown up completely by the explosion of three mines blocking the road. Under heavy fire from the enemy
he carried out a very hazardous task in clearing the road. His untiring zeal in taking the tanks to Jhangar ahead of other troops resulted in the recapture of this strategic town.
Six months later, in November, 1948 Lt. Col Rajinder Singh set a record for the Indian Army by successfully taking the tanks over snow-covered feet high 14,000 Zojila Pass. The tanks battered through enemy defences. Zojila was in the hands of the Indian Army on November 15, 1948 and Kargil on November 23, 1948, as a result of that daring and most hazardous operation.
On May, 24, 1948 Air Commodore Mehar Singh flew as R.I.A.F. Dakota to Leh with General Thimayya as his passenger and landed on the improvised Leh air strip. The average height of Ladakh valley above sea-level is 10,000 feet and Leh air strip is 11,554 feet above sea-level—one of the highest in the world.
Mehar Singh flew 23,000 feet above sea-level pioneering an Air route over some of the world's highest
mountains. His daring performance made the defence of Leh possible.
What is the secret of so much valour in the race. It is endemic, in the Scythian blood. Scythia the original habitation of Jat race was full of hardships. Drought was a frequent curse. Its boundaries were all open to external attacks. Life there was a continual struggle against the calamities of nature, wild animals and human pest. Under these conditions only the fittest could survive According to the Law of Evolution. Those who survived had their brains and bodies developed in the school of difficulties. It is well known that difficulties were the chief cause of the evolution of man’s brain. Nature did not provide his body with enough covering to shield it against heat and cold of the seasons like birds, so his brain exerted itself to surmount that difficulty and produced artificial covering and shelter. Similar difficulties were the Genesis of the discovery of fire and inventions of tools and arms. Trained in the school of constant adversities the Jat race as a race concluded that they could not survive without being brave. Hardships made them hardy. They learnt by experience that attack was the best means of defence. This experience was confirmed when Vexoris the king of Egypt sent them ultimatum as mentioned in detail in chapter III of this book. The Jats at once attacked him without waiting for his attack. The king fled to his country leaving his army and all his stores to the Jats.
Aggression therefore became their hobby and pugnacity became a prominent part of their temper. Death had no terror for them; because there was so much death all around them in Scythia. Playing with death was a pleasant sport for them. Extreme dangers excited their emotions and moulded their minds to such a degree of boldness that they did not feel themselves
happy if not engaged in dangerous exploits. Their philosophy was simple. “To live bravely as long as life persists and to die smiling when death comes”. They thought that to die fighting was the easiest land of death which took the soldier to paradise, while to die a long death in bed took a man to hell. Inaction caused
them painful "boredom. Luxurious and easy-going life had no charm for them. This is best illustrated by the description of Attila’s camp by Priscus as detailed in Chapter VI. “Attila took his meals in wooden cups and platters, and when bards recited verses to celebrate the valour and victories of Attila, tears flowed down the cheeks of old men expressing their despair that they could no longer partake the danger and the glory of the field”. It is this pattern of character moulded by the warfare of ages which is the chief cause of the unparalleled bravery of the race. The intelligent politician must fully understand this character when dealing with this wonderful race.
Back to, Jatland Library (for more such interesting books to read online).