The Indian Army’s Tiger Division recently celebrated the 100th birthday of Lieutenant Colonel Sharad Dev Singh Jamwal, a celebrated veteran. Lt. Col. Jamwal, recognized for his valor in World War II, also played a pivotal role in the 1961 Goa Liberation campaign, the 1962 Sino-Indian War, and various Indo-Pakistani conflicts.
Colonel Jamwal, born in Jammu on August 13, 1926, inherited a legacy of service, with his father, Colonel Prabhat Singh, actively involved in World War I. He began his education at The Doon School and later pursued higher studies at the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College in Dehradun.
Lt. Col. Jamwal’s military career commenced in 1946 when he joined the 7th Light Cavalry during the concluding phase of World War II. He was involved in several critical operations, including the Burma campaign, the 1947-48 Indo-Pakistani War, the liberation of Goa in 1961, and the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
World War II, a direct consequence of World War I, caused widespread upheaval and devastation. This global conflict, which lasted from 1939 to 1945, saw the loss of approximately 70 million lives. The war was primarily fought between the Allied forces and the Axis powers. The Allied forces included Britain, France, the United States, the Soviet Union, and China, while Germany, Italy, and Japan comprised the Axis powers.
The Goa Liberation campaign, initiated in 1961, focused on freeing Goa, Daman, and Diu from Portuguese rule. This campaign was also referred to as Operation Vijay. The operation started on December 17, 1961, with approximately 30,000 Indian soldiers involved. Despite initial resistance, the Portuguese forces ultimately surrendered, leading to their withdrawal from Goa.