Defence
The Battle of Rezang La in Ladakh, in which Major Shaitan Singh and his company of 13 Kumaon fought to the last man, took place during the India-China war of:
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Answer: Option C — 1962
Detailed Solution
The Battle of Rezang La was fought on 18 November 1962, during the war between India and China, at the Rezang La pass in the Chushul sector of Ladakh.
The battle:
- "C" Company of the 13th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment, about 120 soldiers, was defending Rezang La, a mountain pass at a height of about 5,000 metres (over 16,000 feet).
- It was commanded by Major Shaitan Singh.
- Most of the soldiers were Ahirs (Yadavs) from the Rewari and Mahendragarh areas of Haryana.
- In the early morning of 18 November 1962, a much larger Chinese force attacked the post with heavy artillery and mortars.
- The Indian soldiers fought bravely in the bitter cold, with old rifles and limited ammunition.
- They fought until they ran out of ammunition, and many fought hand-to-hand.
- Out of about 120 soldiers, 114 were killed; a few were captured or survived with injuries.
- They inflicted heavy casualties on the Chinese.
Major Shaitan Singh:
- He was seriously wounded but continued to lead his men, moving from post to post to encourage them.
- He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest wartime gallantry award, posthumously.
- His body, along with those of many of his men, was found months later, frozen in the snow, still holding their weapons.
Other awards:
Several other soldiers of the company received the Vir Chakra and other gallantry awards.
Remembrance:
- A war memorial stands at Rezang La and at Rewari.
- 18 November is observed by the Kumaon Regiment as "Rezang La Day".
- The memorial at Rezang La was renovated and rededicated in 2021.
About the 1962 war:
- It was fought in October-November 1962, in the eastern sector (NEFA, now Arunachal Pradesh) and the western sector (Ladakh).
- China declared a unilateral ceasefire on 21 November 1962.
- India suffered a defeat, and the war led to major changes in its defence policy.
Why not the other options?
- ✗1947, 1965 and 1971 were the years of wars between India and Pakistan.
Quick tip
Remember: Rezang La (18 November 1962, Ladakh) = 13 Kumaon, "C" Company; Major Shaitan Singh, Param Vir Chakra (posthumous).
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Miscellaneous GK — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Miscellaneous GK, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic collects general knowledge questions that do not fit neatly into a single category, such as national symbols, famous nicknames of places, important events, entertainment, and facts that cut across history, geography and culture. Because these questions come from many areas, the best preparation is broad revision and regular practice. Read each explanation carefully, since it often includes a related fact that is tested in a different form. Keep a notebook of facts you get wrong and revise it before the exam. Practise the miscellaneous GK questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.