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{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Battle of Rezang La
| partof = [[Sino-Indian War]]
| date = 18 November 1962
| place = Rezang La, Ladakh, India
| coordinates =
| result = Indian victory{{refn|The Battle stands out for sheer valour, grit and dogged determination of C Company of 13 KUMAON that fought to the last man, defending Rezang La, under the dynamic leadership of Major Shaitan Singh. Against all odds and grossly outnumbered, the valiant soldiers of 'C' Company, 13 KUMAON, repulsed seven attacks by the Chinese, launched in waves. Despite heavy artillery shelling and fierce Chinese assaults, Major Shaitan Singh and his 113 brave hearts delivered the heaviest blow to the Chinese.{{sfn|GallantryAwards|2023|p=1}}|group=note}}
* All 7 Chinese attacks were repulsed
| combatant1 = {{flag|India}}
| combatant2 = {{flag|People's Republic of China}}
| commander1 = Major [[Shaitan Singh]]
| commander2 = Unknown
| units1 = [[13th Kumaon Regiment]]
| units2 = People's Liberation Army (PLA)
| strength1 = ~120 soldiers
| strength2 = ~3000 soldiers
| casualties1 = 114 killed{{sfn|Maxwell|1970|p=334}}
| casualties2 = 500 killed{{sfn|Singh|2016|p=201}}
| territorial_changes = None
| territory = [[Rezang La]] was successfully defended and remained under Indian control
| image = Brave Ahir.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| caption = Memorial for the battle at [[Rezang La]]
}}
The '''Battle of Rezang La''' took place on 18 November 1962, during the [[Sino-Indian War]] between the Indian Army's [[13th Kumaon Regiment]] and China's [[People's Liberation Army]] (PLA). The battle is remembered as one of the most heroic last stands in Indian military history, where a small group of Indian soldiers defended the strategic mountain pass of Rezang La in [[Ladakh]], at an altitude of 16,000 feet, against overwhelming Chinese forces. [[Shaitan Singh|Major Shaitan Singh]], who led the defense, was posthumously awarded the [[Param Vir Chakra]], India's highest military honor, for his extraordinary bravery.{{sfn|Singh|2016|p=203}}
== Background ==
In October 1962, China launched a large-scale offensive against India in the disputed border areas of [[Aksai Chin]] and [[Arunachal Pradesh]] (then NEFA). The Indian Army, under-prepared and outnumbered, was tasked with defending these high-altitude regions. Rezang La, a pass located in the [[Chushul]] sector of Ladakh, became a key defense point as it guarded the vital airstrip at Chushul.{{sfn|Palit|1991|p=275}}
The defense of Rezang La was entrusted to the 13th Battalion of the [[Kumaon Regiment]], under the command of [[Shaitan Singh|Major Shaitan Singh.]] The battalion was positioned on the barren, exposed ridges of the pass, without adequate artillery support or reinforcements.{{sfn|Singh|2016|p=198}}
== The Battle ==
On the morning of 18 November 1962, the [[People's Liberation Army|PLA]] launched a pre-dawn assault on the Indian positions at Rezang La.{{sfn|Maxwell|1970|p=333}} Despite being heavily outnumbered, with only 120 soldiers against a Chinese force estimated at 3000, the [[Kumaon Regiment]] soldiers fought fiercely, engaging in hand-to-hand combat when their ammunition was exhausted.{{sfn|Singh|2016|p=201}}
[[Shaitan Singh|Major Shaitan Singh]] moved from one post to another, inspiring his men and organizing the defense despite sustaining serious injuries. Under his leadership, the Indian soldiers inflicted heavy casualties on the Chinese forces, reportedly killing around 500 [[People's Liberation Army|PLA]] soldiers.{{sfn|Singh|2016|p=201}} However, the sheer size of the Chinese force overwhelmed the Indian defenses, and by the end of the battle, 114 Indian soldiers had been killed in action, with only 6 surviving, many of them wounded.{{sfn|Maxwell|1970|p=334}}
== Aftermath ==
The heroic defense by the [[Kumaon Regiment]] became a source of inspiration for the Indian military and the nation. [[Shaitan Singh|Major Shaitan Singh]]'s bravery and leadership were recognized with the posthumous award of the [[Param Vir Chakra]].{{sfn|Palit|1991|p=278}} The battle is considered one of the most heroic last stands in modern military history.
== Legacy ==
The Battle of Rezang La remains a symbol of Indian courage and determination. Memorials have been erected at [[Rezang La]] and at various places in India to commemorate the bravery of the soldiers who fought and died in the battle.{{sfn|Singh|2016|p=203}}
In 2012, on the 50th anniversary of the battle, veterans and military historians gathered to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers, and the battle continues to be studied as a lesson in mountain warfare.{{sfn|Palit|1991|p=279}}
== References ==
* Maxwell, Neville. ''[https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/36e9/ba5c3e29f4df6277298af88948d6f76b9c72.pdf India's China War]''. London: Jonathan Cape, 1970.
* Palit, D.K. ''[https://books.google.com/books/about/War_in_High_Himalaya.html?id=ukw1PuEt8IcC War in High Himalaya: The Indian Army in Crisis, 1962]''. Lancer International, 1991.
* Singh, Amarinder. ''[https://www.proquest.com/docview/1790518802?sourcetype=Trade%20Journals The Monsoon War: Young Officers Reminisce – 1962 India-China War]''. Roli Books, 2016.
* [Battle of Rezang La – 2023-11-18](https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/assets/uploads/home_banner/BatleofrezangLa-2023-11-18.pdf)
== Notes ==
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