THE MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY REGIMENTAL CENTRE

The Regimental Centre was raised by Lt EM Wood on Mar 1800 as the 2^nd Battalion, the 7^th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry on the first anniversary of Seedaseer Day. On 02 May 1824, it was given the title of 14^th Regiment Bombay Native Infantry. It first came to Belgaum in 1832 under Lt Col EM Wood and fought the battle of Mahadeogarh located near Amboli in Sawantwadi, which was considered to be the most impregnable fort in that area and a stronghold of the local chiefs.

The Regiment received its first colours on 12 Aug 1844 from Lady Napier (Wife of General Napier) at Karachi, During the 1857 War of Independence, the Regiment was in Karachi and carried out the allotted station duties without getting involved.  On 02 Jun 1864, new colours were presented to the Regiment at Ahmednagar.

In 1865 the Regiment took part in the Abyssinian Campaign and in the Aden Campaign in 1880. On 01 Jan 1885 the Regiment assumed the title of ‘14^th Regiment Bombay Infantry’. On 15 Dec 1892, new colours were presented to the Regiment by Sir George Greaves, C-in-C Bombay Army at Deesa on the 60^th Anniversary of capture of Mahadeogarh Fort.

In 1892, caste companies were introduced. 14^th Regiment had one company of  Deccan Mohammedans, three companies Pindaris, one company Rajputs and one company Jews. In 1895, the Regiment was again re-organized into four companies of Konkani Marathas, two companies Deccan Mohammedans. The Regiment served in Hong Kong from 1902 to 1905 and took active part in suppressing the Boxer rebellion, In 1903, 14^th Regiment Bombay Infantry became 114 MAHRATTAS.

The 114 Mahrattas proceeded overseas during 1915 and joined the forces in Mesopotamia then battling against odds for the relief of General Townshenda gallant but besieged force in Kut-el-Amara. It played a major role in the recapture of Kut, its moment of glory coming on 29 Oct 1918 when in the action at Sharqat, it attacked with determination  and steadiness, the enemy positions and later held back the ferocious Turk counter attacks. The causalities were heavy, but the Battalion gained the notable distinction of earning 28 gallantry awards and 8 personnel were Mentioned-in-Despatches. The Battalion was awarded the Battle Honour “Sharqat”. The action at Sharqat was unique in that the awards and honours won by 114^th Mahratta were the most won in a single action by any Indian battalion, before or since then. The Battalion earned two DSOs, four MCs, six IOMs, sixteen IDSMs and eight Mentioned-in-Despatches. The Battalion on its return to India became the 10^th Battalion on the 5^th Mahratta Light Infantry in 1922 and was converted as the Training Battalion, since then the Battalion has seen the conclusion of its active role and later became the Regimental in Jul 1942.

The burden of expansion and training of new troops fell upon the Regimental Centre during World War II. Inspite of the heavy strength of recruits, the Regimental Centre ably carried out its task of maintaining high standards of 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. Since Independence, the Training Centre has raised 21 new battalions incl 4 RR battalions and 21 Para (SF) battalion. Presently, it is providing well trained soldiers to its 21 Regular Bns Incl 4 RR battalions.

The Centre was awarded GOC-in-C Sothern Command Unit citation on 15 Jan 2011 and is the first Regimental Centre to have earned a citation.

Having been located at Belgaum since 1922, the Regimental Centre has created all the facilities that one can expect for training of recruits. The Centre has a number of landmarks which have been constructed from time to time.

New  KLP

QUARTER GUARD

The regimental centre has a well designed Quarter Guard at the main entrance. The Quarter Guard built in 1968, prior the colour presentation. Brass bust of the two VCs  have been positioned in front of the Quarter Guard. Two machine guns of Turkish origin captured by the 114 Mahrattas (Regimental Centre) at Sharqat are also positioned on the roof of the Quarter Guard. Two hand cast brass cannons found in Poonch in 1950 are displayed at the entrance to the quarter Guard.

REGIMENTAL WAR MEMORIAL

The World War I Memorial had been built in Poona. After World War II it was decided that a Regimental War Memorial should be erected in Belgaum. His Highness Sir Vikram Sinha Rao Puar, KCIS Maharaja of Dewas (senior) presented a life-size equestrian statue of Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the War Memorial was erected in the stadium in 1948. It was inaugurated by Major General His Highness Sir Shahaji Chhatrapati, GCSI, BA, ADC Maharaja of Kolhapur on 28^th December 1948. Later it was felt that the War Memorial was not in the right place and on 13 May 1970, the Memorial together with Shivaji’s statue was shifted from the stadium to the front of the new Quarter Guard, at the entrance to the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre.

TALEKAR DRILL SQUARE

Talekar drill square has been witness to a number of parades and colour presentation parades. The drill square was tarmacked in February 1962 in keeping with the modern trend of parade grounds. During 1974, the YOs commissioned in Jun 1974, on a familiarisation visit contacted Sub & Hony Lt Keshav Rao Talekar, IOM, MC, Rao Bahadur at his village near Kudal in Sindhudurg district and persuded him to visit the Regimental Centre during the 6^th Reunion in Dec 1974. It was at that stage that realisation dawned about this forgotten hero of the Battle of Sharqat, where he fought as a young soldier in the 114 Mahrattas (Regimental Centre). The drill square of the Regimental Centre was subsequently named after him. Four cannons of the Maratha period, presented by His Highness the Raja Bahadur of Sawantwadi are positioned within the drill square.

TUCKER SWIMMING POOL

A garrison swimming poll had been existence in Belgaum for a long time, but was totally inadequate as it was too small. In 1968 a new pool was constructed by the Regimental Centre with enclosures on two sides. It is named after Major E.J Tucker of the 2^nd Battalion who was killed in action on 2 August 1967 and was awarded the Ashoka Chakra.

SHIVAJI STADIUM

The Shivaji stadium was constructed in 1970 to fulfil the long standing requirement of a multipurpose complex for outdoor sports. The stadium was built out of contributions of one days pay by all ranks of the Regiment. A fort wall was subsequently added in the late seventies. Located next to the Shivneri gate, the stadium was an athletics track and facilities for playing other games like football and hockey. The stadium has hosted many international hockey matches and is the venue for ‘Tatoo’ during Regimental Reunion and Biennial whenever held at the Regimental Centre.

MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES

The Regimental Centre has an excellent museum, which holds artefacts, captured documents, pieces, historical photographs, medals and uniforms of ex- servicemen and historical exhibits of each battalion. A round through the museum presents a touching account of the rich history, gallantry and heritage of the Regiment through the years. The museum was started by Col NPP Thorat in the barrack adjacent to the old Commemoration Hall. It was later shifted to another barrack and named “Museum and Motivation Hall”. The museum was again shifted to its original barrack in early 80's. With the Regimental Centre shifting its office into the newly constructed administrative block, the museum too has shifted into the old office complex in 1996. A Regimental Archives was also added in 1995.

MOTIVATION HALL

The Namdeo Jadhav, VC Motivation hall contains inspiring accounts of deeds of bravery of the Battalions in various actions and feats of glory in other activities. This Motivation Hall has been tastefully renovated to motivate and inspire our recruits and increase awareness about regimental history. A bust of Nb Sub Namdeo Jadhav, Victoria Cross has been placed at the entrance of the motivation hall which was unveiled on 05 Apr 2007 by General JJ Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, then COAS and Colonel of The Regiment.

COL NJ NAIR, AC, KC ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK

A need was felt for the Regimental Centre to have an office complex which could house all the offices centrally. Accordingly, a modern two storied building was constructed. The Administrative Block has been named in memory of late Col NJ Nair, AC, KC. The bravery of late Col NJ Nair. AC, KC is well known in the Army. He was decorated with the  Kirti Chakra for his brave action in Mizoram in the early eighties. On 20 Dec 1993, he again displayed gallantry in the best traditions of the Indian Army and in utter disregard to his personal safety he charged at a very large number of insurgents who had ambushed him and his men. Unmindful of the grave injuries he had suffered, he led from the front, exhorting and inspiring his men, till the insurgents fled, before attaining martyrdom. For this gallant action he was decorated with the coveted Ashoka Chakra. He thus carved a special niche for himself as the only recipient of the two highest awards for valour during peace.

A bust of Col NJ Nair, AC, KC dominates the entrance to the Administrative Block which is located adjacent to the Namdeo Jadhav, VC Motivation Hall and has the War Memorial with the imposing statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in front of it. An ideal location indeed to inspire and motivate each soldier to perform feats of glory.

COL V VASANTH, AC ACCOMMODATION BLOCK

This accommodation was constructed as Single Instructor’s living accommodation in memory of Late Colonel Vasanth Venugopal, AC, Commanding Officer, 9 MARATHA LI. The building is being extensively used especially during Joint Training exercises with foreign armies. The building can accommodate a total of 136 individuals in 12 barracks.

Colonel Vasanth Venugopal was the Commanding Officer of 9 MARATHA LI which was deployed along the Line of Control in Uri Sector of Jammu & Kashmir. On 31 Jul 2007, he personally took command of a sub unit to intercept a group of terrorists who were attempting to escape back across the Line of Control. Out flanking the terrorists, Col Vasanth Venugopal engaged them from close quarters killing one of them. However, he was injured in this action. Unmindful of grave injuries, he directed his men to block all escape routes and killed two more terrorists before succumbing to his wounds. A total of eight terrorists were killed in this operation by his sub unit. Earlier from 27 to 30 Jun 2007 in the same general area, he had led an operation in which his Battalion had eliminated four terrorists. For his gallant act he was awarded the ASHOKA CHAKRA.

HALL OF VALOUR

The Hall of Valour was inaugurated on 16 April 2005 by the then Chief of Army Staff and Colonel of the Regt General JJ Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC. Inside this museum, one can see a beautiful display of paintings from Maratha history, battle honours, theatre honours and other historical artefacts. Another gallery named the “Chief’s Gallery” was added to enhance the beauty of the Hall of Valour. It also houses an awardees and sportsmen gallery.

THE MARATHA OFFICERS’ MESS

The Maratha Officer’s Mess is located in the heart of - Belgaum Cantonment-  ‘The Cradle of Infantry’. The Officers’ Mess is a prominent heritage building and is famously known for its grandeur. The history of the Maratha Officers’ mess, | dates back to 1923, when the main building, BC-77 was & purchased from Mr Ramachandra Vishnu Ginde in 1923, for a princely amount of Rs. 13,000/-.

The Officers’ Mess is located on a high ground and has a commanding disposition, with a ceremonially attired ‘Ganpat’ greeting you at the entrance. Two Turkish guns captured by the Regiment in the Palestine Campaign, flank the gates of the Mess adding historical value to the heritage site.

SHIV MANDIR

The Shiv Mandir, popularly known as the 'Military Mahadev Mandir’ is an artistically designed temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was built in 1955, out of voluntary contributions by all ranks of the Regimental Centre, and eight Maratha battalions in service at that time i.e (1^st Bn , 2^nd Bn, 4^th Bn, 5^th Bn, 19^th Bn, 20^th Bn,  22^nd Bn and 2 Para) and from donations from the local citizens of Belgaum.

The Mandir has a childrens’ park, an elders park and also a deer park forming part of the temple complex. The Mahadev Mandir is a major tourist attraction and caters for the spiritual and recreational requirements of all ranks of the Regimental Centre and their families who flock in large numbers to pay their obeisance to Lord Shiva. The area also has a bandstand constructed out of donations given by the Raja of Sandur. The chickoo and coconut plantation within the Mahadev Mandir and Pop Inn Complex were started in 1976.

POP INN

Within a short distance of the temple is the Pop Inn, a modern and unique cafeteria with a well laid out garden. Light refreshments are available at very reasonable rates. The Pop Inn was started in 1968 at the same spot where a small hut existed which was used for selling sugar cane juice.

VINAYAK MANDIR

The Vinayak Mandir, now being increasingly referred to as the Military Vinayak Mandir is located on the Vengurla road. Control of this extremely popular mandir was taken by the Regimental Centre in November 1995. Since then many projects have been initiated at the temple site by Brig SV Singh and his successors to beautify the landscape giving it a facelift, hordes of devotees flock to Vinayak Mandir to pay their respects.

SHIVNERI, SINHGARH, GINGEE AND RAIGARH GATES

As a measure to beautify the Regimental Centre, it was decided to build gates at the entrances to the Regimental Centre complex. The Shivneri gate which dominates the entrance to the Regimental Centre leading to the War Memorial was inaugurated during the 9th Post War Reunion in Oct 1990. The Gingee, Sinhgarh and Raigarh gates followed thereafter in Apr 1993, Dec 1993 and Mar 1994. Their design resembles the gates of the famous forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji's times and hence their names were derived accordingly. The Vijaydurg gate was built in May 1996 adjacent to the Laxmi Mandir. The gate is connected to the Raigarh gate by a boundary wall.

ARGAN TALAO

The Argan Talao probably had its origin as a water point of the camping ground adjacent to it. From its modest origin as a well, the Argan Talao was made into a large pond with a well in its centre. Later a second pond was constructed. However, through a concerted drive in the area, the ArganTalao has been made into a complex of five ponds during 1995-96 by realigning the bundhs, creating fresh ponds and desilting of the main tank. The thrust in this direction along with massive tree plantation has resulted in the Argan Talao becoming an Ecology and bio diversity park as well as a picnic spot.

MARATHA WAR MEMORIAL BOYS HOSTEL AND GIRLS HOSTEL

The Maratha War Memorial Boys hostel was started in 1935. The hostel provides boarding and lodging facilities to sons and daughters of widows, ex-servicemen and serving personnel from Class V to XII. The hostel has carried out yeomen service over the years and has produced many officers from the students who were on its rolls while many more continue to occupy high positions in various walks of life. MWM Girls hostel, was started in 1991 and is the first of its kind in the Army. The hostels were initially located in the barracks of the erstwhile Indian Military Hospital. A new double storey building was constructed for the boys which was inaugurated in 1991 by the then Raksha Mantri Shri Sharad Pawar. A cook house cum dining hall was constructed in 2000 and was inaugurated by Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, PVSM, AVSM, VSM the then Colonel of the Regiment. A well designed double storied building was constructed in 1998 for the Girls Hostel. It has study rooms and dining hall on the ground floor and a dormitory on first floor which can accommodate 25 Girls.

MARATHA WOMEN EMPOWERMENT CENTRE

The Women Empowerment Centre of the Regimental Centre was established during the years of the Great Wars. The earliest welfare activities at the Centre for the families was the establishment of a Families Hospital. Later the Women's; Welfare Institute was established under supervision of ladies of the Regiment. Wives and daughters of soldiers were taught useful skills and given elementary education. A Child Welfare Centre was also established later alongwith the Women's Welfare Institute. The activities of the three institutes have been combined since then to include health education, literacy, making of handicrafts and general awareness. The institute has been named as the Radhabai Mohite Family Welfare Centre, in honour of Smt Radhabai wife of Sub Maj Ramchandra Mohite, OM, IDSM, MVO who made the supreme sacrifice during the Second World War.

ROHIDESHWAR TRAINING CAMP

The Rohideshwar Training Camp is a unique facility for training of recruits at the Regimental Centre. The camp is situated approximately 24 Kms from the Regimental Centre on NH-4 towards Kolhapur.

Established in 1949, the camp location has open undulating terrain as well as reasonably thick jungles which affords an ideal training area. The name Rohideshwar has been associated with Maratha history since 1642 when a 12 yr old Chhatrapati Shivaji, alongwith his young comrades took an oath to free the nation from the Moghuls in Rohideshwar Mandir near Raigad.

The camp has both administrative and training facilities which include a modified firing range, a battle inoculation area, grenade firing area, exercise area, booby traps demonstration area and a jungle lane shooting area. Training of recruits at the camp commences in the 36^th week of their training when they march to the camp. The aim of this camp is to concentrate on imparting training in advanced field craft and battle craft after having learnt elementary training at the Regimental Centre.

The recruits are also made to negotiate the battle obstacle and assault courses. The one kilometer long course which was constructed in 1974 consists of 22 obstacles laid along a nala and culminates in the recruits firing as a sub unit on the range.

The training at the Rohideshwar Camp has been designed to give the recruits a feel of the battlefield under simulated conditions and make them realise their individual and collective potential under stress. This is to mould them into ideal soldiers of the Regiment and the nation.