FROM A FAMILY OF WARRIORS - MAJ GEN ANANT SINGH PATHANIA, MVC

FROM A FAMILY OF WARRIORS - MAJ GEN ANANT SINGH PATHANIA, MVC

The clan of Pathanias were originally Tomars from Rajasthan and for a while they ruled Delhi. They moved up north after being defeated by the Moguls and their name is an abbreviation of Prathishthana, the ancient name of Pathankot, which was the capital of the hill state of Nurpur. They have a proud record of service in the armies of Maharajah Ranjit Singh, the State Forces of Jammu & Kashmir, the British India Army and the Indian Army. The clan boasts of one Vir Chakara and two Maha Vir Chakaras (the second highest gallantryaward in India), and one of the recipients was Anant Singh Pathania who was twice decorated for bravery and retired as a major general.

Lt Anant Singh Pathania, circa 1936 Image courtsey of his son Vasu Pathania

his father Lt Col Raghbir Singh Pathania, 2nd Jammu & Kashmir Rifles 

He was born in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh in 1913, just two years before his father Lt Col Raghbir Singh Pathania, 2nd Jammu & Kashmir Rifles was killed in action while commanding the battalion in Jassin, Tanganyika. His mother was the daughter of Gen Baj Singh, Kashmir Imperial Service Troops, a fine old soldier and gentleman who was always keen to be in the thickest of a fight. He was shot down next to Capt. Townshend, leading an assault during the Siege of Chitral, 1895. Anant Singh was raised under the tutelage of his grandfather Maj Gen, Sardar Bahadur, Nihal Singh Pathania, OBI, the C-in-C of Jammu & Kashmir Forces who led troops during the Hunza, Nagar and Black Mountain Expeditions. On commissioning from IMA Dehradun in February 1936, Anant was allotted the service number IC-56. After a year's compulsory attachment with a British battalion, he was posted to the 6th Royal Battalion (Scinde), 13th Frontier Force Rifles (renumbered as 1st Frontier Force after Independence).

It was around this time that he was engaged to a lady whose family could boast of an equally strong military heritage. Her father, Col Bakshi Chand Katoch was awarded an IDSM in Mesopotamia when he was the Subedar Major of the 56th FFR. He was subsequently commissioned with the first batch of KCIOs from the Cadet College, Indore in Dec 1919. Maj Gen Akbar (Rangroot) who was PA-1, was also commissioned in the same batch. Her younger sister was married to Ghanshyam Singh who was in the last batch of KCIOS commissioned from Sandhurst in 1934 and was posted to 16th Cavalry. My father Maj Gen Syed Shahid Hamid was in the same batch.Her uncle (father's younger brother) was Subedar Major Parbat Chand Katoch, the first Indian officer (VCO) to be awarded a MC in WW1. When all the British officers

Subedar Major Prabhat Chand, MC, 59th Royal Sind Rifles (Frontier Force), standing behind his two elder brothers.

Image courtsey of Vasu Patiana

became casualties at Neuve Chapelle, Prabhat Chand then just 30 years old, splendidly led the remnants of his regiment, none other than the 59th Royal Sind Rifles (Frontier Force), which in the reforms of 1921/22 would be renumbered as the 6/13th RFFR. Her grandfather was Sardar Bahadur, Honorary Captain Bidhi Chand, the first Subedar Major of 38th Dogra who held the appointment for 18 years till he retired in 1909.

point of the bayonet pushed the Italians out from his company's position. Though wounded in the face and both legs, Anant Singh was not prepared to be evacuated and only did so five hours later under orders. The command passed to his company officer, Lt Sadiqullah. The Savoy Grenadiers rallied and launched another attack but the officer handled the situation very well. In the nick of time the company was reinforced by two platoons and Sadiqullah led a charge and again drove the Italians back at the point of the bayonet. For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, Anant Singh was awarded a Military Cross. Young Lt. Sadiqulla was also awarded a MC in a subsequent battle but that is another story to be told.

Anant Singh returned to India to recover from his injuries. While in hospital at Abbottabad, he was visited by Maj Gen Inskip who commanded 6/13th RFFR in Waziristan from 1932-34 and was now commanding the Rawalpindi District. Inskip had been awarded an MC in WW1 and he pinned a miniature of the medal on Anant's shirt that had been presented to him by a Count. Anant confided to the general that he was still in possession of an Italian Lugar that he was grasping when evacuated from the frontline and the general replied "Keep your mouth shut and retain it as a memento which he did 

The Luger that Anant Singh brought back from the Battle of Keren His son presented it to his battalion, 1st Battalion, 5th Gurkha Rifles [FF]) on their 150th Anniversary.

His leg injury was very serious and the doctors were considering amputation but a Sikh doctor volunteered to operate and saved the limb. However a rumoured spread that his leg had been amputated and his fiancés mother wanted to call off the wedding. Col Katoch was sent to the Pathankote Railway Station to meet Anant Singh (who was on his way to Jammu on medical leave) and confirm if the groom-to-be was whole and intact. That night two very drunk soldiers arrived home. The father-in law-to-be had pulled out a bottle of Scotch to celebrate and together they 'killed' it.

image courtsey of Vasu Patiana

Lt-Colonel ANANT SINGH PATHANIA, MC (IC-56), 1 Bn. The 5 Gorkha Rifles.

The fine achievement of 1/5 RGR during the ZOJILA operations was due entirely to the courage and fine leadership of Lt-Colonel PATHANIA. The hardest battle fought by the infantry was in breaking the well fortified enemy position on 'ANANT" feature. The success of this opera- tion was due entirely to Lt-Colonel PATHANIA's personal reconnais- sance of the enemy defence and in finding the most suitable routes for the attack of his Bn. on night 14/15 November 1948. Throughout the reconnaissance stage and during the attack this officer personally led his men. He was a source of great encouragement to his men.