Battle of Rezang La

During the Sino-Indian War in 1962, Rezang La was the site of the last stand of the Charlie "C" company who perished in battle and posthumously won India's highest military decoration, the Param Vir Chakra, for his actions. The Chinese employed human wave tactics, sending up to eight waves against the Indian troop positions. Eventually, the Indian position was overrun, and Indian troops were forced to withdraw to high mountain positions. After the conclusion of battle, their valor was recognized by the Chinese, who had covered the bodies of the Indian soldiers with blankets and even placed bayonets over them so that the makeshift covers did not fly off. This mark of respect is exceptional and atypical of practices of that time. Both sides took overwhelming casualties, though both countries disagree over how many were killed. It is generally accepted 114 Indian soldiers out of a total of 120 lost their lives. However, Indian sources claim upwards of 1,300 Chinese troops were killed in Rezang La alone. == Aftermath ==

The defense by the Kumaon Regiment at Rezang La has been cited as an important moment in Indian military history. Major Shaitan Singh was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his leadership and actions during the battle. The engagement is sometimes described as a notable example of a last stand in modern warfare. As the fight at Rezang La went on concurrently, Battle of Gurung Hill took place, where both sides claimed victory. Battles of Rezang La and Gurung Hill were collectively known as Battle of Banggongluo in Chinese narrative. == Legacy ==

. The Battle of Rezang La remains a symbol of Indian courage and determination. Memorials have been erected at Rezang La and at various places in India to commemorate the bravery of the soldiers who fought and died in the battle. Rezang La Memorial in Chushul was constructed in 1963 to commemorate the Indian military. In 2012, on the 50th anniversary of the battle, veterans and military historians gathered to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers, and the battle continues to be studied as a lesson in mountain warfare. How can a man die better, than facing fearful odds, for the ashes of his fathers, and temples of his gods. This inscription also appears on the Rezang La Memorial at Rewari. == See also ==