Indian Army Day 2023: History and Why Do We Celebrate?

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January 15 is the day the Indian state recognizes as the Army Day and indeed, it is celebrated all across the country with a major attraction of celebration followed by parades and other military-related demonstrations in its capital - New Delhi and in all the headquarters.

History & reason behind the celebration

The Army Day is celebrated in recognition of Field Marshal Kodandera M. Cariappa's - then a Lieutenant General - taking over the position as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Francis Roy Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India, on 15 January 1949.

To refer to the historical context of the day, the analysis of this particular day has been given various contexts and argument by critics and analysts in India. However, it is an apparent case that it takes us back to that time in India's history when it was facing a moment of continuous unrest and migration altogether.

After 200 years of British regime in India, and amid one of history's most tragic partitions of undivided India, followed by creating two different nations - India and Pakistan - in 1947, saw the concoction of freedom, happiness and even the tragedies of migration at one go. By that time, India was facing major unrest followed by communal violence, and continuous migration of commoners between India and the then Pakistan.

Also read: Indian Army Day 2023 Parade: When and where to watch live

Amid this, what India lacked was a proper form of Army that was completely under India's control so that the situation could be properly dealt with to ensure peace among the communities. The reins of India's army were controlled by the British officer Francis Butcher. It was when Field Marshal Kodandera M. Cariappa took over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, the country's Army found a new identity under the leadership of an Indian citizen.

This particular day is celebrated at many army command headquarters in New Delhi to pay honor to the day when Mr. Cariappa became the first chief Commander of India as India became an Independent country. This day has a national importance as the soldiers of the army who died while protecting the country are honoured on this day in India. It recognizes the Indian Army's courage and dedication towards safeguarding the country and its each and every citizen.