2nd Para (Maratha)

September 7, 1997

A commemorative postage stamp on the Bicentenary of the 2^nd Parachute Regiment (Maratha Light Infantry) (1797-1997) :

Issued by India

Issued on Sep 7, 1997

Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on 2^nd Para on the occasion of its Bicentenary celebrations on 7.9.97.

Credits :
Stamp Design, FDC & Cancellation : 2^nd Para

Type : Stamp, Mint condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 200 Paise

Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.

Printing size : 3.55 x 2.54 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Imported un w/m Adhesive Gravure Coated Stamp Paper

Stamps Printed : 0.7 Million

Number per issue sheet : 35

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nasik

About :

The Battalion was raised on 6 September, 1797 for the Bombay Presidency as part of a treaty with the Raja of Travancore and was designated as the 2^nd Battalion 5^th Regiment Native Infantry of the Travancore Regiment.
The Battalion’s gallant role in the storming of Magdala in the Abyssinian Campaign (1867-68) earned it the honour of being designated a Light Infantry Regiment. On return to India the Battalion took part in the second Afghan war. In 1885 the Battalion was designated as 10^th Regiment The Bombay Native Light Infantry and was subsequently redesignated as 110 Maharatta Light Infantry in 1903.
In the First World War the Battalion fought against the Turks in Mesopotamia and won laurels in action at Shaiba, Kut–El–Amara and Ctesiphon. The Battalion also formed part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in Palestine.
In the Second World War, the Battalion won undying fame in the bloody assault on the formidable Italian fortress of Keren. The Battalion also fought against Rommel as part of the British Army. Under 10 Indian Division in Italy, NK Yeshwant Ghadge won the Victoria Cross posthumously at Citta–de–Castello for a supreme act of valour.
The Battalion was specially selected for parachute duties under 2^nd Indian Airborne Division in 1946 and was redesignated as 3^rd Parachute Battalion The Maharatta Light Infantry.
In 1948, the battalion was rushed to Jammu and Kashmir to stem the onslaught of Pakistani forces and fought legendary action at Naushera and Jhangar.
On 15 April 1952, the Battalion became part of the Parachute Regiment Unit and was redesignated as Second Battalion The Parachute Regiment. The Battalion saw service with the Indian Custodian Forces in Korea and was part of the forces which liberated Goa in 1961.
In the Indo–Pak war, the Battalion saw action in both the Rann of Kutch and Lahore Theatres. In 1971 the Battalion won the distinction of carrying out the first airborne assault of the Indian Army by para dropping in the Eastern Sector and was the first Indian Army unit to enter Dacca.
From April 1990 to December 1991, the Battalion served in OP HIFAZAT carrying out Counter Insurgency operations in the North East. Its commendable performance there earned one KC (Posthumously) and a number of other awards.
Till date the Battalion has won 30 Battle/Theatre honours and has the honour of being one of the most decorated battalions of the Army. The 240 awards won by the Battalion include one Victoria Cross, four Mahavir Chakras, one Kirti Chakra, 17 Vir Chakras and one Ashok Chakra Class III.