A commemorative postage stamp on the Mahar Regiment, an infantry regiment of the Indian Army :

Issued by India

Issued on Nov 9, 1981

Issued for : The Indian Posts & Telegraphs Department is privileged to issue a stamp on the Mahar Regiment.

Description of Design : The stamp designed by the India Security Press, shows the flag of the Regiment. First day cover illustration shows a Battalion of the Mahar Regiment assaulting its objective somewhere in the Western Sector during 1971 operations. Cancellation, showing the emblem of the Regiment, was designed by Charanjit Lal.

Type : Stamp, Mint condition

Colour : Multicolour

Denomination : 35 Paise

Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.

Printing size : 3.55 x 2.54 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Printed on unwatermarked adhesive stamp paper

Number printed : 20,00,000

Number per issue sheet : 35

Printing process : Photogravure

Printed at : India Security Press

About : 

• The Mahars, the hardy inhabitants of Western and Central India have a long and glorious martial tradition. The distinguished service rendered by them was recognised and rewarded by the formation of the Mahar Regiment during World War II. The First Battalion of the Mahar Regiment was raised on 1 October 1941, and the 2^nd and 3^rd followed soon. In October 1946, the Regiment was chosen for conversion as a Medium Machine Gun Regiment. The training Centre of the Regiment was shifted from Arangaon to Saugor on 1 December 1948. The expansion of the Regiment started in 1956 with the amalgamation of the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Battalions of the Border Scouts. From the same time, the recruitment to the Mahar Regiment has been opened to all classes of the country. The Regiment has grown from strength to strength and is, today, one of the largest in the Indian Army. In 1963, the Battalions of the Regiment were converted to standard Infantry Battalions.
• The units of the Regiment participated in World War II in Burma, Persia and Iraq (PAI Force). After independence, the units of the Regiment have participated in all our wars with enviable valour and distinction. Detachments of the Regiment acquitted themselves admirably in peace-keeping operations in Korea and Congo. Units of the Regiment also did creditable work in Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram in duties in aid of civil power.
• The Regiment was awarded battle honours for the battles of Asal Uttar, Kalidhar, Jaurian–Kalit and Tilakpur–Muhadipur in the 1965 conflict against Pakistan. During the 1971 conflict with Pakistan, several Battalions of the Regiment took part in action in different theatres with great distinction. The battles of Parbat Ali, Sehjra, Thanpir, Harar Kalan and Kaiyan in Western Sector and Shamsher Nagar, Maulvi Bazar, Sylhet and Chittagong in Eastern Sector deserve special mention. The Officers and men of the Regiment won many gallantry awards including two Param Vishisht Seva Medals, three Maha Vir Chakras, two Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, twenty four Vir Chakras, four Shaurya Chakras and several other awards. The motto “यश सिद्धि” (“Success and Attainment”) motivates the Mahars never to rest content till success is attained.
• In recognition of the distinguished services rendered by the Regiment in War and Peace, the Chief of the Army Staff awarded a hackle and certain special insignia, and the President honoured the Regiment by presenting Colours on 3 February 1970.
• 17 and 18 Mahars, the two youngest Battalions of the Regiment raised on 1 July 1979 and 1 January 1981 have the honour of being presented Colours on 9 November 1981 at Saugor (M.P.) by the Chief of the Army Staff, General KV Krishna Rao, PVSM, who is also the Colonel of the Mahar Regiment.
• (Text by Courtesy of Army Head-quarters).

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