Ajit Rudra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ajit Rudra
অজিত রুদ্র |
|
|---|---|
| General Officer Commanding, Southern Command | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 October 1896 |
| Died | 3 November 1993 (aged 97) |
| Awards | Order of the British Empire |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom (1914–1918) British India (1918–947) India (1947-1959) |
| Branch/service |  British Army British Indian Army Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1914 - 1959 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Unit | Royal Fusiliers Punjab Regiment |
| Commands |  GOC-in-C Southern Command |
| Battles/wars | World War I
Third Afghan War
|
Major General Ajit Anil "Jik" Rudra was a brave Indian military officer. He was born on October 20, 1896, and passed away on November 3, 1993. He became a high-ranking officer, serving as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Southern Command for the Indian Army.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ajit Rudra, also known as "Jik," was born in Delhi. His father, S. K. Rudra, was a well-known teacher. Jik went to school at St. Stephen's College, Delhi in India. He also studied at Trinity College, Kandy in Sri Lanka (then called Ceylon). Later, he attended University of Cambridge in England.
Family Life
Jik Rudra married Edith Lall on November 16, 1923. Their wedding took place at the Lahore Cathedral.
Military Career
Joining the Army in World War I
When World War I began, Ajit Rudra left his studies at Cambridge. He joined the British Army in 1914. He was part of the University and Public School Brigade. He fought in the Battle of Mons, a major battle. He then joined the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. He was one of only about 80 soldiers who survived a big charge of 500 Fusiliers at the Battle of the Somme. He became a sergeant and was wounded during the war.
Becoming an Officer
After World War I ended in 1918, Indian leaders asked for Indians to be allowed to become officers. This was called the King's Commission. Ajit Rudra was chosen for the first group of Indians to receive this special training. In 1919, he joined the first batch of King's Commissioned Indian Officers (KCIOs). One of his classmates was Kodandera M. Cariappa, who later became a very important officer, a Field Marshal of the Indian Army.
On December 1, 1919, Rudra officially became a second lieutenant in the British Indian Army. He was sent to Palestine. He later served in areas like the North-West Frontier and Baluchistan. He also took part in the Third Afghan War. He was promoted to lieutenant on July 17, 1921.
World War II and Beyond
Rudra continued to rise through the ranks. He became a captain in 1927 and a major in 1939. During World War II, he was involved in the Burma Campaign. He fought in the Arakan Campaign 1942–43. During this time, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel.
In 1943, Lieutenant Colonel Rudra was moved to the General Staff at the main army headquarters in India. He was promoted to colonel in 1945 and then to brigadier in 1946. In June 1946, he received an important award, the Order of the British Empire (OBE), for his military service.
After India became independent in 1947, Brigadier Rudra played a key role. He helped set up the new Indian Army. He was then promoted to Major General and given command of a division. On January 1, 1950, he officially became a Major General. During the Annexation of Hyderabad, he led a group of soldiers who attacked from Vijayawada. He was later appointed as the General Officer Commanding of the Southern Command. He retired from the army in 1959.
Ajit Rudra passed away in 1993 at the age of 97.
Images for kids
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Rank insignia for Major General
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Logo of the Southern Command
