The 114 MAHRATTAS (present day the MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY Regimental Centre) proceeded overseas in 1915 and joined the forces in Mesopotamia. Battling against odds it played a major role in recapture of Kut-el-Amara (present day Iraq).

On 29 October 1918 an opportunity offered itself in this brilliant campaign led by General Maude and it was seized by the 114 Mahrattas when it attacked with utmost gallantry and steadiness, the strong stubbornly defended Turkish positions. At 1600hr the Battalion launched an attack led by Lt Col CEM Wintle. An enormous amount of dust flew. Both Arty and Machine Gun fire were intense as well as accurate yet the Mahrattas moved on resolutely to the crest line north of the ravines. Counter attacks followed, the final struggle saw the Turks, in their last counter attack, sweep through 14 Sikhs onto the 114 Mahrattas who not only stood firm but regained the lost position and held on with great determination. The most important aspect was, the battalion had only four officers. The rifle companies were commanded by VCOs. On 30^th Oct the Turks surrendered at SHARQAT. With this battle the Mesopotamian campaign ended and so did the Great War.

Casualties were very heavy. The Battalion lost 163 all ranks, but in what may perhaps be the rarest of actions in the annals of the Indian Army, this single battalion gained the notable distinction of earning 28 Gallantry Awards, i.e. 02 DSOs, 04 MCs, 06 IOMs, 16 IDSMs and eight Mentioned-in-Despatches besides the ‘Battle Honour, Sharqat’. No Indian regiment before or since has been bestowed with so many honours in a single action.

Having been located at Belgaum since 1922, the Regimental Centre has created all the facilities that one can expect for the military training. The Centre had the distinction of being quoted as the most efficiently organized Regimental Centre in India for two consecutive years during the war years.

HONOURS AND AWARDS AWARDED DURING ‘BATTLE OF SHARQAT’

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER (DSO) - 02

Lt Col CEH Wintle

Capt AJ Sargon

MILITARY CROSS (MC) - 04

Capt CP Hancook

Sub Sakharam Pawar

Sub Dhanajirao Khanvilkar

Jemadar Keshavrao Talekar

INDIAN ORDER OF MERIT (IOM) - 06

Sub Maj Mahadevrao Khanvilkar

Sub Ramchandra Bhosle

Jemadar Nanbarao Bhosle

Hav Shahajirao Shinde

Hav Raghunathrao More

Hav Rahim Khan

INDIAN DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL (IDSM) - 15

Sub Shaikh Mohd Khalil

Sub Devrao Mahadik

Nk Sakharam Kadam

Nk Shaikh Ladle

Nk Raghunath Mohite

Nk Ganu Sawant

L/ Nk Sakharam Jadhav

L/Nk Narayan Rane

L/Nk Jairam Mahmunkar

L/Nk Syed Bale

L/Nk Umaji Paigude

L/Nk Keru Pawar

L/Nk Babji Utekar

L/Nk Rama Kadam

Sep Gunaji Chikne

MENTION-IN-DESPATCHES - 08

Lt Col C.E.E Wintle, DSO

Maj H.N.K Bremner

Sub Maj Shaikh Ahmed

Sub Dharrao Mhadak, IDSM

Jemdr Nanbarao Bhonsle, OIM

Hav Raghunathrao More, IOM

Hav Shahajirao Sinde, IOM

Sep Mahadeo Gaode

 SHARQAT MAP

BATTLE OF SHARQAT

SHARQAT WAR TROPHY

     (1918 - 2018)