Major Shaitan
Singh Bhati
Major Shaitan Singh Bhati (1 December 1924 – 18 November 1962) was an Indian Army officer and a recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration. Born into a distinguished military family in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, he carried forward a legacy of service and honor. As the commander of 'C' Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment, he displayed unyielding courage during the Sino-Indian War of 1962.
Roots of
Valor
Born into a military family in Jodhpur on 1 December 1924, Shaitan Singh was the son of Lieutenant Colonel Hem Singh Bhati. The martial traditions of the Bhati Rajput clan ran deep in his veins. He completed his schooling at Chopasni Senior Secondary School, Jodhpur, where he was known not just for his academic prowess but for his skills on the football field. After graduating from Jaswant College, the call of duty was inevitable.
A Life in
Uniform
On 1 August 1949, he was commissioned into the Jodhpur State Forces. When the princely states merged, he transitioned to the Kumaon Regiment via the 13th Battalion. His early career saw him serving in the Naga Hills and during the 1961 annexation of Goa. Promoted to Major in 1962, he was a leader who led from the front, earning the undying respect of his men long before the fateful winter in Rezang La.
The Last
Stand
18 November 1962. Chushul Sector, Ladakh. At 17,000 feet, 'C' Company faced a massive Chinese assault. Outnumbered and outgunned, Major Shaitan Singh moved from post to post, reorganizing defenses and boosting morale amidst heavy shelling. Wounded multiple times, he refused evacuation. "Fight to the last man and the last round," was the spirit he instilled. 114 men gave their lives that day, halting the enemy advance.
Param Vir
Chakra
For his "conspicuous bravery, inspiring leadership, and supreme sacrifice," Major Shaitan Singh
was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest wartime gallantry award. His
legacy lives on—in the "Rezang La Day" commemorations, in the memorial at the site, and in the
hearts of every Indian.
"How can a man die better than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers and the
temples of his gods?"