Raghbir Singh Pathania

Raghbir Singh Pathania (sometimes erroneously spelled Raghubir), OBI was an Indian Lieutenant Colonel who was the primary commander of the 2nd Jammu and Kashmir Rifles during the Battle of Jassin, in which he was killed while defending a garrison of 4 Indian Brigades.

Sardar Bahadur

Raghbir Singh Pathania

OBI
Raghbir Singh Pathania in his military uniform
Born1874
Kangra, Chamba State, British Raj
Died18 January 1915 (aged 40 or 41)
Jassin, German East Africa, German Empire
Allegiance India
Branch British Indian Army
Years of service??? – 1915
RankLieutenant Colonel
Commands held2nd Jammu and Kashmir Rifles
Battles/warsWorld War I

Biography

Family

Raghbir was born on 1874 as the son of Nihal Singh Pathania and the brother of Gandharb Singh.[1] On 25 May 1913, he was the father of Anant Singh Pathania.[2]

Military career

He enlisted into military service at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the 2nd Jammu and Kashmir Rifles which consisted of Muslims and Gurkhas.[3][4] During his military career, he earned the title of Sardar Bahadur, being promoted to Commander-in-chief as well as earning the Order of British India.[5]

Battle of Jassin
Main article: Battle of Jassin

After the outbreak of World War I, the British Indian Army were initially sent to the East African Campaign and the 2nd Jammu and Kashmir Rifles were a part of the divisions sent to German East Africa. On 18 January 1915, the Germans attacked the village of Jassin to secure Tanga which had successfully repelled an Anglo-Indian Invasion. The garrison of the town was a weak and meager force of around 4 brigades commanded by Singh. He would be killed during the defense of the village which lead to the Germans capturing it.[6]

References
  1. "Raghubir Singh (1874 - 1915) - Genealogy". Geni.com. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  2. From a Family of Warriors. The Friday Times. Vol. 1. 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  3. "LIEUTENANT COLONEL RAGHUBIR SINGH". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  4. "Major General Anant Singh Pathania MVC, MC". brownpundits.com. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  5. "India and The Great War". indiaww1. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  6. P. K. Gautam. "Indian Army in the East African Campaign in World War". idsa.in. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
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