Sainis in Uniform: The Ancient Saga Continues

 

"Men of this tribe not seldom take service, and  especially in cavalry."

-W.E. Purser, Final report of the revised settlement of the Jullundur District in the Punjab, 1883

H'ble Defence Minister of Canada , Lt. Colonel Harjit  Sajjan (Saini) receiving guard of honor from Indian Army.  

माननीय श्री हरजीत सिंह सज्जन (सैनी) , रक्षा मंत्री , कनाडा 

Colonel Sajjan belongs to Bombeli village of district of Hoshiarpur, Punjab and he is a confirmed Yaduvanshi Saini Rajput Sikh.  Sajjan clan of Punjabi Sainis corresponds with "Sajatiya" clan of Jadon Rajputs of Mewar

 

The awards list given below is not exhaustive. Not all Sainis use their clan or sub clan names and go by the last names such as 'Chaudhary', 'Singh', 'Kumar', etc. Since these names are shared by many other groups (some of which overlap Sainis) such as Sikhs, Jats, Dogras and Rajputs etc , it is not possible to isolate Sainis among them just by their last names. The following list pertains only to those decorated armymen and policemen who are confirmed to be Sainis. The actual list of decorated Saini army and police personnel might be much longer. More quality research is needed in this reference.

Lieut-General (Retd.)  SK Saini, PVSM,  Vice Chief of the Army Staff  (Vice Chief of Indian Army)

लेफ्टिनेंट जनरल श्री सतिंदर कुमार सैनी, उप सेनापति, भारतीय सशस्त्र सेना 

Vice-Admiral Ravneet Singh (Saini), AVSM, NSM, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff

  वाईस एडमिरल रवनीत सिंह सैनी , उप सेनापति, भारतीय नौसेना

Further this list  contains only those armymen and policemen who  have  won major wartime and peacetime awards. The list of Sainis in Indian Army is very large and needs no inclusion here. Army and police have traditionally been major sources of employment for Sainis. British had classified Sainis as a 'martial race'. Purser recorded even in 1892 land settlement report that Sainis joined the military service quite frequently, especially as cavalrymen.

Lieut-General (retd.)  Balbir Singh Pama, former Chief of Staff of the Northern Command

"Pama" , along with "Salaria", is a major Saini clan in Gurdaspur

It is no surprise, given the overwhelming preference for Army and  Police jobs in the Saini youth , the first Commisioner of Police for  as many as three UTs (two of which are full fledged states now) was a Saini IPS officer hailing from village Rallana near Dasuya in district Hoshiarpur.  His name was IGP Sadhu Ram Chaudhari who in 1948 was independent India's first joint police chief for  Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Ajmer. IGP Chaudhari had also received the decoration of Officer of Order of British Empire  (OBE)  because of his outstanding police career.

 

 Sh.Sumedh Singh Saini, DGP (Retd.),  Punjab

Legendary Wing Commander Kartar Singh Tanque (Saini)

First Indian Air Warrior of Indian Air Force to receive a Gallantry Citation in 1939

His grandson, Sgt. Uday Singh Tanque, won a Bronze Star and Purple Heart posthumously fighting in Iraq as part of US Army

Another fact that needs to be born in mind is comparison of Sainis with Dogras , Pushtuns, Jats and Rajputs is not an apples to apples comparison. Sainis are merely a sub tribe of Yaduvanshi Rajputs who took to agriculture in Punjab and spun-off with a distinct identity local predominantly to Punjab and bordering region. Their numbers are relatively very small compared with these groups. For example according to the 1881 census, the entire Saini population in the whole of undivided Punjab- also all of pre-partition India for that matter- was only 132,000 while the population of just a single Jat clan of Sidhus was 208,000. The Saini population was reduced to 106,000 in 1901 census after mistakes of 1881 census were corrected. The best way to gauge proportionate Saini contribution to feats of gallantry in armed forces would be by comparing them individually with other Rajput sub tribes such as Bhati, Chauhan, Sisodia, etc rather than Rajputs, Jats , or Dogras as integrated groups which are extremely large and heterogeneous when compared to Sainis.

Known Gallantry Awards

During British India

 

(World War I)

• 1 Cross of St. George (Imperial Russia's highest exclusively military award. Equivalent to current Param Vir Chakra and British Victoria Cross)
• 1 Order of British India  (recipient decorated with title 'Bahadur')
• 2 Indian Order of Merit (after 1912 equivalent to current Maha Vir Chakra )
• 2 Battle of Neuve Chapelle War Memorial Commemorations

(World War II)

 

• 1 Indian Order of Merit ( Maha Vir Chakra )

Since Independence

• 2  Param Vir Chakra (Victoria Cross before 1947)
• 2 Vir Chakra
• 4 Shaurya Chakras
• 1 Bronze Star (US Army)
• 24 Sena Medals
• 2 Purple Hearts (US Army)
• 1 Roll of Honour

Known Meritorious Service Awards

• 3 Param Vishisht Seva Medals
• 5 Ati Vishist Seva Medal
• 2 Yudh Seva Medals
• 11 Vishisht Seva Medals

 

 Brigadier Sanjeev Saini. Commander 161 Infantry Brigade , inaugurating an ATM banking facility in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir.

Heroes' Gallery

 

The Commander of the US Army, Pacific Command

Lieut-Gen James Campbell  saluting  US Army Sgt. Udai Singh's father in Chandigarh. Grandson of equally illustrious soldier, Wing Cdr Kartar Singh,   Udai was a Saini of Taunque (Taank) sub clan and was martyred in Iraq in 2003. He received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star posthumously for his gallantry in battlefield. Picture- Courtesy, The Tribune.

Decorated Saini Armymen

• Lt Gen SK Saini ( Param Vishisht Seva Medal,Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal)
• Vice Admiral Ravneet Singh Saini (Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Nao Sena Medal)
• Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh Banga (Param Vishisht Seva Medal)
• Lt Gen Ashok Kumar Saini (Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Visisht Seva Metal, Sena Medal)
• Lt Gen Balbir Singh Pama,  Former Chief of Staff of the Northern Command (Sena Medal)
• Maj. General PK Saini  s/o Sh. Sher Singh Saini of Gudaspur, (Vishisht Seva Medal)
• Maj. General Deepak Saini (Vishisht Seva Medal)
• Maj. General  Vikas Saini (Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal)

Maj Gen. Deepak Saini with H'nble Sh Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh

• Air Vice Marshal Jaswant Singh Saini (AVSM)
• Air Commodore M.K. Saini (AVSM)
• Air Commodore Ashok Sain (VSM)

• Brigadier SS Saini (gallantry award unknown)

"We carried on fighting and they carried on attacking us. We launched attacks on numerous positions. Each of these positions were held very strongly by the Pakistanis. We moved on company by company -- something many armies would not think of -- fighting a superior enemy with a mere battalion, or a mere company, but we carried on till the last position Dangapara had been captured by one of my gallant officers Major S S Saini (later brigadier)." (Source: 'We fought the battle as if it was the last thing we'd ever do', December 14, 2016, Rediff.com / Major General Shamsher Singh's interview by Arhana Masih)

Brigadier SS Saini (then Major) along with with Major General Shamsher Singh (MVC) . Brigadier Saini is second from the right in a turban.

Brigadier Saini is remembered for  his  striking  leadership , while  gallantly capturing  Dangapara in the monumental Battle of Hilli n 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

• Brigadier Ram Prakash Saini (Vishisht Seva Medal)
• Brigadier Sanjeev Saini, IC-41235F , (Vishisht Seva Medal)
• Brigadier Jaspal Singh Pama (Sena Medal for Gallantry)
• Brigadier JS Saini (Vishisht Seva Medal)

• Lt. Colonel Harjit Singh Sajjan, Canadian Army,  (PC OMM MSM CD MP)

"[He] demonstrated a profound understanding of the Taliban and tribal networks…He was the best single Canadian intelligence asset in theater, and his hard work, personal bravery and dogged determination undoubtedly saved a multitude of Coalition lives..Through his courage and dedication, Major Sajjan has single-handedly changed the face of intelligence gathering and analysis in Afghanistan....[H]is analysis was so compelling that it drove a number of large scale theatre-resourced efforts, including OPERATION MEDUSA... that resulted in the defeat of the largest TB cell yet identified in Afghanistan, with over 1500 Taliban killed or captured...I rate him as one of the best intelligence officers I have ever worked with...I have advised my chain of command that the Canadian Forces must capture his skill-set, and seek his advice on how to change our entire tactical intelligence training and architecture to best meet the needs of future deployed units fighting in extremely complex human battlespace."

Col. Harjit Singh Sajjan (Saini) 

H'nble Defence Minister of Canada

• Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria (Posthumous Param Vir Chakra,Battles of Congo Crisis)

"On 5 December 1961, 3/1 Gorkha Rifles was ordered to clear a roadblock established by the gendarmerie at a strategic roundabout at Elizabethville, Katanga. The plan was that one company with 2 Swedish armoured cars would attack the position frontally and Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria with two sections of Gorkhas and two Swedish armoured personnel carriers would advance towards this roadblock from the airfield to act as a cutting-off force.

Captain Salaria with his small force arrived at a distance of 1500 yards from the roadblock at approximately 1312 hours on 5 December 1961 and came under heavy automatic and small-arms fire from an undetected enemy position dug in on his right flank. The enemy also had two armoured cars and about 90 men opposing Captain Salaria’s small force.

Captain Salaria appreciating that he had run into a subsidiary roadblock and ambush and that this enemy force might reinforce the strategic roundabout and thus jeopardize the main operation, decided to remove this opposition. He led a charge with bayonets, khukris, and grenades supported by a rocket launcher. In this gallant engagement, Captain Salaria killed 40 of the enemy and knocked out the two armoured cars. This unexpected bold action completely demoralised the enemy who fled despite their numerical superiority and protected positions.

Captain Salaria was wounded in his neck by a burst of automatic fire but continued to fight till he collapsed due to profuse bleeding. Captain Salaria’s gallant action prevented any enemy movement of the enemy force towards the main battle scene and thus contributed very largely to the success of the main battalion’s action at the roundabout and prevented the encirclement of UN Headquarters in Elizabethville. Captain Salaria subsequently died of his wounds.

Captain Salaira’s personal example, utter disregard for personal safety and dauntless leadership inspired his small but gallant force of sixteen Gorkhas to hold on to their position, dominate the enemy and to inflict heavy casualties despite the enemy’s superiority in numbers and tactical position.

Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria’s leadership, courage, and unflinching devotion to duty and disregard for personal safety were in the best traditions of our Army."

• Group Captain S S Banga (Vishisht Seva Medal)
• Group Captain Girish Saini (Vayu Sena Medal )
• Group Captain Ashok Saini (Vishisht Seva Medal)
• Group Captain Vikassheel Singh Saini  (Vayu Sena Medal )

• Wing Commander Kartar Singh Taunque -First IAF personnel ever to be decorated for gallantry)
• Wing Commander Krishan Kant Saini ( 1962 War Hero, Vir Chakra, Vayu Sena Medal for Gallantry & Ati Vishist Seva Medal)

Legendary Wing Commander Krishan Kant Saini, Vir Chakra, VSM (Gallantry) 

Not only is  his battlefield gallantry well attested through his Vir Chakra and Vayu Sena Medal for Gallantry, he was also a world renowned helicopter pilot. In 1969 , he created world record in helicopter avionics by landing helicopter at the height of 6858 m (22,500 feet) in the Karkoram range

Wing Commander Saini's gallantry award citation reads as follows:

"Flight Lieutenant Krishan Kant Saini had been operating in NEFA area since October, 1960. On 18th November, 1962, he, along with his co-pilot was evacuating seriously injured battle casualties in Walong area. He was instructed to land at a helipad close to the enemy line which was reported to be clear of enemy troops. When he was over the helipad, Chinese troops opened fire from many directions. His helicopter was hit at several places; the main reducter was damaged and oil from it gushed out in a thick spray which blinded him temporarily. His right ankle was also injured by a splinter and he was bleeding profusely. With great determination, presence of mind and skill, he dived the helicopter almost to ground level in order to avoid further damage from enemy fire. He thus saved the helicopter and the lives of his co-pilot and passengers. In spite of the damaged hydraulic system and the personal injury, he skillfully brought the aircraft back to base.Flight Lieutenant Saini displayed courage, determination and professional skill of a high order."

• Wing Commander Baljit Singh Saini  (6011 F(P)  ) ( Vayu Sena Medal )

Citation:

"During the operations against Pakistan in December, 1971, Squadron leader Baljit Singh Saini was employed on Admin duties at one of our airfields. On the 3rd December, 1971, when the runway of the airfield was damaged by enemy raids, he arranged for the repair of the runway in record time. The enemy attacked the airfield on a number of other occasions but he always ensured that the runway was repaired in record time by remaining with the labour.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Baljit Singh Saini displayed courage, leadership and devotion to duty."

•  Wing Commander Satya Pal Daulay ( Vayu Sena Medal for Gallantry)
• Col Deepinder Singh Saini ,IC-47082Y, ( Vishisht Seva Medal)
•  Col Bikram Saini, IC-54512A, (Sena Medal for Devotion to Duty)
• Squadron Leader Devinder Singh Saini, 8157 F(P) ( Shaurya Chakra) 
• Squadron Leader Baljeet Singh Saini ( Vayu Sena Medal for Gallantry) 
• Subedar-Major Bahadur Jagindar Singh Saini, OBI (2nd Class Order of Merit and 2nd Class of the Order of British India, Hero of Battle of Loos, Belgium, World War I)

Subedar-Major Jagindar Singh 'Bahadur' , a Saini from Ropar, distinguished himself for conspicuous gallantry and striking leadership in the Battle of Loos in Belgium during World War 1. Lieutinent Governor's citation for his military decoration as 'Bahadur' (or hero) and the twin confering of Order of British India and Indian Order of Merit reads as follows:

" ..for his conspicuous gallantry in action on the 17th November 1914 when with a party of Sappers under the command of a British Officer he was always to the fore and led his men with great determination into the enemy's trenches. Subedar-Major Jagindar Singh, Saini Sikh of Kheri Salabatpur in Rupar, gained the 2nd Class Order of Merit at the battle of Loos in Belgium for striking leadership and conspicuous bravery in action after most of his company and all but one British Officer in his regiment had been killed or wounded. This officer was also awarded the 2nd Class of the Order of British India for distinguished conduct in the field."

• Major Harminderpal Singh Saini (Posthumous Shaurya Chakra)

"On 13 April 1999, Major Singh fearlessly led his column from upfront, setting a personal example for his command to emulate. He made the supreme sacrifice of his life while fighting the Pakistani ISI sponsored proxy war and safe guarding the integrity of India. His mortal remains, draped in the tri-colour of the Indian flag, were sent to his village in (Mundi Kharar) Ropar (the vicinity of which Anandpur Sahib is located) on 14 April 1999 where he was cremated with honours reserved for the bravest. Major Harminder had been wounded in the left arm but managed to engage three militants armed with Kalashnikovs and grenades in an eyeball-to-eyeball encounter in a remote north Kashmir village on April 13.The 18 Grenadiers Major was shot through the temple by the third militant but not before he had gunned down two of them. Harminder led the commando platoon of his battalion in what has been described as a "dare-devil" operation in a congested locality of Sadurkotbala village in Manasbal.Major Harminder Pal Singh was honoured with the Shaurya Chakra, for his exceptional gallantry and devotion to duty, posthumously."

• Major S L Saini ( Vishisht Seva Medal)
• Major Ravindra Singh Saini , (Vir Chakra,  rank at retirement is not known)

• Major P.S. Gahoon ( Shaurya Chakra)
• Major Rajinder Kumar Saini ( Sena Medal for Gallantry)
• Major Ravi Kant Saini ( Sena Medal for Gallantry)
• Captain Jasbir Singh Kaberwal (Shaurya Chakra)
• Subedar Pritam Singh Darar (Indian Order of Merit, 1944, Operations against Tongzang) 

"On 14th September 1944 at the commencement of the operations against TONGZANG, Sub Pritham Singh’s platoon was ordered to advance along the Gelmual Lungtak track with the object of sizing the enemy held village of Longtak. Battalion HQ and the remainder of his company were immediately behind this platoon. Another company had been sent ahead by a different route to secure the advance along the main track and the Subedar’s  orders were to move forward as quickly as possible. As the platoon neared its objective they were compelled to move along an open stretch of track dominated on both sides by the steep rise and by the saddle in front, where the nature of the country made deployment impossible. When the whole column had moved on to this open stretch heavy fire was opened from all sides by enemy automatics, gran dischargers and rifles and the leading sec was practically wiped out. Casualties were also sustained by Tac HQ including the CO who was wounded. Sub Pritham Singh, although wounded himself realising that the safety of all depended on his actions, dashed forward and seizing a Bren Gun led the remainder of his platoon forward against withering fire at point blank range. Even when knocked down by a burst of automatic fire in the shoulder and chest he continued to encourage his men by shouting directions until killed.He was finally killed by more automatic fire. This VCO’s great presence of mind and undaunted bravery in drawing all the fire on himself enabled Battalion HQ and the remainder of his company to make an orderly withdrawal from a very difficult situation and undoubtedly saved the lives of his wounded Commanding Officer and many other casualties whose situation would have otherwise been extremely difficult, if not impossible.The magnificent  example of selfless devotion to duty on the part of this very gallant VCO in circumstances where he knew full well that his chances of survival were almost non-existent has proved an inspiring example to all ranks and a worthy addition to the traditions of his class." 

 

(Source: London Gazette Supplement, 22nd March 1945 )

• Subedar Joginder Singh (Param Vir Chakra, 1962 Indo-China War Hero)

"Subedar Joginder Singh was the commander of a platoon of the Sikh Regiment holding a defensive position at a ridge near Tongpen La in NEFA. At 0530 hours on 23 October 1962, the Chinese opened a very heavy attack on the Bumla axis with the intention of breaking through to Towang. The leading battalion of the enemy attacked the ridge in three waves, each about 200 strong. Subedar Joginder Singh and his men mowed down the first wave, and the enemy was temporarily halted by the heavy losses it suffered. Within a few minutes, a second wave came over and was dealt with similarly. But the platoon had, by then, lost half its men. Subedar Joginder Singh was wounded in the thigh but refused to be evacuated. Under his inspiring leadership the platoon stubbornly held its ground and would not withdraw. Meanwhile the position was attacked for the third time. Subedar Joginder Singh himself manned a light machine-gun and shot down a number of the enemy. The Chinese however continued to advance despite heavy losses. When the situation became untenable Subedar Joginder Singh and the few men that were left in the position fixed bayonets and charged the advancing Chinese, bayoneting a number of them before he and his comrades were overpowered. Throughout this action, Subedar joginder Singh displayed devotion to duty, inspiring leadership and bravery of the highest order."

• Sergeant Uday Singh Taunque (Purple Heart & Bronze Star, US Army)   

• Staff Sergeant Paul S. Pabla (Purple Heart, US Army) ARNG Unit: Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 139th Field Artillery
  Fort Wayne, Indiana Killed July 3, 2006 Iraq
• Jemadar Gurmukh Singh Saini Cr St Geo, IOM (Equivalencies: Cr St Geo - Param Vir Chakra & Victoria Cross)

Sir Michael O'Dwyer , Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab in British India, read the following citation in his speech regarding Gurmukh Singh's 'splendid courage' and 'heroism' which won him the highest military honor for gallantry in the battlefield  :

"...the Sikhs have so far won all the 18 military honours awarded to men of the Ambala District during this war. I will give you here the names of three of those men who have earned fame by their heroism. Jemadar Gurmukh Singh, a Saini Sikh of Gadram Badi in Rupar, won the 1st Class Order of Merit and the 2nd Class Cross of the Russian Order of St. George for his splendid courage on the night of the 1st March 1916 when he advanced under the greatest difficulties, continually crawling forward and digging himself in..."

• Lt. Ravinder Saini (Sena Medal for Gallantry)
• Flt. Lt. Somesh Kumar Saini (Vayu Sena Medal for Gallantry)
• Flt Lt S C Sandal (IAF Roll of Honour, Martyr , 1971 war)
• Sgt. Hira Singh Saini (Vayu Sena Medal for Gallantry)
• Naib Subedar Gopal Singh Saini (Sena Medal for Gallantry)
• Naik Janak Raj Saini (Sena Medal for Gallantry)
• Sepoy Ajay Singh Saini, 2498435 Punjab Regiment , (Sena Medal for Gallantry)
• Sepoy Banta Singh Saini (Battle of Neuve Chapelle War Memorial Commemoration, World War 1)
• Sepoy Sanjeev Kumar Singh, (gallantry award unknown)

"24 फरवरी 1998 को संजीव कुमार भारतीय सेना की सिख रेजीमेंट शामिल हो गए थे। भारतीय सेना से प्रशिक्षण प्राप्त करने के उपरांत पाकिस्तान के साथ हुए कारगिल युद्ध में संजीव कुमार की द्रास सेक्टर में तैनाती कर दी गई। कई दिनों तक दुश्मनों के दांत खट्टे करते हुए चार घुसपैठियों को मार गिराया। बहादुरी से लड़ते हुए उन्होंने दुश्मन को अपनी जमीन पर आगे बढ़ने नहीं दिया। इसी दौरान वह एक घायल होने के बावजूद भी संजीव कुमार ने साहस नहीं छोड़ा और एक घुसपैठिये को मार गिराया।"  (Jagran, report dated : Mon, 25 Jul 2016)

Gallantry medal is the most prestigious award for any police officer in the country. It is awarded for displaying conspicuous gallantry, courage and devotion to duty of very high order. The police officer keeps the duty before self in completing the task. This award is rare in itself as the action should match the risk involved on the occasion. The senior controlling officer assessing the task performed by the subordinate recommends to the head of the police department for award of gallantry medal.

•  Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sadhu Ram Chaudhari (OBE, 1945)

IGP Chaudhari, b. 1899, s/o Chaudhari Gurdit Singh Saini and Smt. Shanti Devi  belonged to a Saini (Banwait)  family of village Rallana in the Dasuya tehsil of District Hoshiarpur. As the Commissioner of Police , immediately following India's independence,  he held the joint command of the police forces of the states (then UTs) of Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Ajmer. In today's terms his rank was even superior to that of current DGP  as he was the joint police chief of three different states. He was the second Saini of his era to be decorated with this distinguished title. Prior to him Chaudhari Dewan Chand Saini, a noted criminal lawyer and politician of Punjab,  had also received  this title.

• Director General of Police (DGP) Sumedh Singh Saini, IPS (Gallantry Award ,1987, Punjab Police )
• Inspector General of Police (IG) Dr. Kamal Saini, IPS, (Gallantry Award, Jammu and Kashmir Police)
• Inspector General of Police (IG) Kuldeep Saini,  (President Police Medal for Distinguish Service , BSF)
• Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Iqbal Singh (Saini) Lalpura, IPS (President Police Medal for Distinguish Service , Punjab Police)
• Adn. Deputy Inspector General of Police (Ad. DIG-GC, CRPF) Hari Ram Banga, ( Gallantry Award ,1991, Punjab Police)
• Dy. Supdt. of Police (DSP) Kashmir Singh Pabla (President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service, 2009)
• Sub Inspector Hans Raj Saini (Police Medal For Meritorious Service, 2003, Border Security Force)
• Sub Inspector Vinod Kumar Saini , (Police Medal For Gallantry, 2008, Border Security Force)

IG Kuldeep Saini