A proud recipient of the Paramvir Chakra, Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore was an officer of the Indian Army, who was known for his heroism and valor. Hailing from the family of General Ratanjiba, a general in the army of none other than Shivaji Maharaj, it was not really unexpected of Ardeshir to join the Indian Army and fight for the country.
Lieutenant General Ardeshir Buzorji Tarapore Bharatmatamandir
Today, on the occasion of the war heros 52nd death anniversary, we bring to you certain facts about Lt Col. Ardeshir Tarapore that we Indians must know about those brave souls who made the supreme sacrifice on duty for the nation’s security.
As part of the Poona Horse Regiment, Lt. Col. Tarapore was assigned the task of delivering the main armored thrust for capturing Phillora in the Sialkot Sector in Pakistan during the Battle of Chawinda. The brave soldier died a hero’s death as his tank was destroyed by a massive fire.
1. Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore was born in Mumbai on August 18, 1923.
He completed his schooling from Pune’s Sardar Dastur Boy’s Boarding School.
2. Tarapore is the village which Ardeshir’s forefather General Ratanjiba was gifted by Maratha King Shivaji
Happy with General Ratanjiba’s heroism, Shivaji had once gifted him 100 villages. Among these, Tarapore was the main village, the name of which was later adopted by the clan.
3. Although they belonged to Maharashtra, Tarapore’s grandfather had shifted base to Hyderabad where he worked for the Nizam of Hyderabad.
His grandfather worked in the excise department of the Nizam’s principality.
4. Ardeshir was a hero since childhood.
As a young lad, he had saved his sister’s life from the clutches of a family cow that had broken loose.
Indian Army tanks at the Battle of Chawinda Alchetron
5. His heroism came to notice when he picked up a live grenade and threw it elsewhere to save others.
This happened at his battalion’s grenade throwing range. Although he was injured after this incident, he did save the lives of many present at the range.
6. Popularly known as Adi, he wanted to join the armored regiment but was recruited in the infantry division.
After the grenade-throwing incident, however, his request to get a transfer to the armored regiment was granted by Major General El Edroos, the Commander-in-Chief of Hyderabad state forces.
7. Ardeshir was shifted to The Poona Horse on 1st April, 1951 as the commission date after Hyderabad merged with the Indian Union.
His rapid succession in the Indian Army saw him becoming Commanding Officer (CO) in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.
The cap badge of Poona Horse Regiment Source
8. Lt. Gen. Tarapore was mortally wounded while leading his second mission at the Battle of Chawinda, Pakistan.
Part of the Sialkot campaign, the Battle of Chawinda was one of the biggest tank battles since World War II. It was an intense battle that only ended after the United Nations intervened to declare a ceasefire.