120 Bahadur: The Forgotten Heroes of the 1962 India-China War
A recent Bollywood film titled "120 Bahadur" (Brave Hearts) has brought much-needed attention to one of the most incredible "last stands" in military history: The Battle of Rezang La.
Starring Farhan Akhtar as the legendary Major Shaitan Singh, the film captures the raw courage of the C Company of the 13 Kumaon battalion. While the 1962 war is often remembered with heavy hearts in India, this specific battle remains a "silver lining" and a testament to the undying spirit of the Indian soldier.
🏔️ The Setting: A Frozen Hell at 16,000 Feet
The battle took place on the night of November 18, 1962, at the Rezang La pass in Ladakh.
- Elevation: Over 16,000 feet (4,900m).
- Weather: Temperatures plummeted to -24°C with heavy snowfall.
- The Stakes: The pass was vital for defending the Chushul airstrip, the region's primary link to the rest of India.
⚔️ 120 vs. 3,000: A Lopsided Fight
The odds were mathematically impossible. 120 Indian soldiers faced an estimated 3,000 Chinese troops.
- Equipment Gap: The Indian soldiers had semi-automatic rifles and limited ammunition (600 bullets each), while the Chinese had superior weapons and heavy mortar support.
- The Vow: Despite being advised of a tactical retreat, the men told Major Shaitan Singh, "We'll fight till last man, last bullet".
The Outcome
Out of the 120 men, only five survived. Initially, their heroic story was not believed by superiors because the morale after the war loss was so low. It was only three months later, when a shepherd found the frozen bodies still clutching their weapons in the snow, that the true extent of their bravery was revealed.
🎖️ Major Shaitan Singh: The Param Vir Chakra Hero
Major Shaitan Singh led from the front. Even after taking several bullets to his stomach, he continued to give instructions to his men, eventually ordering survivors to leave him and report back to the battalion.
When his body was found in February 1963, he was still lying by a rock, his stomach ripped open by machine-gun fire, a blood-stained bandage on his arm. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honor.
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📊 Fast Facts: The Battle of Rezang La
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Date | 18 November 1962 (3:30am to 8:15am) |
| Indian Troops | 120 (C Company, 13 Kumaon) |
| Chinese Troops | Estimated 3,000+ |
| Survivors | 5 Indian Soldiers |
| Honors | 1 Param Vir Chakra, 12 Gallantry Medals |
🇮🇳 Why This Story Matters Today
Experts believe that if these 120 men hadn't fought so valiantly, India might have lost half of Ladakh to China in 1962. Today, the site of the battle remains part of the disputed territory, but the memory of these soldiers lives on in a memorial built in Rewari, Haryana—the town from which most of these brave men came.
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