Brigadier Mohammad Usman (MVC) aka the "Lion of Naushera", attained martyrdom, on this day in the 1947-48 India-Pakistan war, after leading from the front in the fierce battle of Naushera. His courage, bravery, and leadership in the Battle of Jhangar turned the tide in defence of the region towards the Indian Army.
Brig Usman's heroics in the battle of Naushera in Jammu and Kashmir earned him the moniker of 'Lion of Naushera' or 'Naushera Ka Sher', and was awarded Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) posthumously for his services to the nation, the second highest military decoration in India, after the Param Vir Chakra. He was given a state funeral, which was attended by the then governor-general Lord Mountbatten, then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and then Union minister Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad and Sheikh Abdullah.
In 1947, from Pakistan tribal irregulars entered the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, aiming to seize it and integrate it into Pakistan. Brigadier Mohammad Usman, then leading the 77th Parachute Brigade, was reassigned to command the 50th Parachute Brigade, which was deployed at Jhangar in December 1947. On 25 December 1947, facing overwhelming odds, Pakistani forces seized Jhangar, a strategically vital location at the intersection of roads from Mirpur and Kotli. On that day, Usman vowed to retake Jhangar, which he did three months later but at the cost of his life.
Order shared by Brig Usman then -
Indian Army shared an image of an archival document bearing the order dated 16 March 1948, issued by Brigadier Usman, who was then the commander of the 50 (I) Para Brigade.
Denied Pakistan's offer of becoming Army chief -
During the partition, Pakistan offered him the opportunity to become the army chief in Pakistan. Nevertheless, with the love for his soil, he chose to remain in India.
Indian Army pays tribute to Brig Usman -
Observing "Jhangar Day" today, honoring the supreme sacrifice made by the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) awardee Brigadier Mohammad Usman and brave soldiers who laid down their lives for the nation, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Usman Memorial in Jhangar by the Commander of the 80th Infantry Brigade and Bal Sainik Shri Basant Singh.
Paying homage, the Indian Army wrote in a post on X, "#NausheraKaSher A Wreath Laying Ceremony in the honour of Brigadier M Usman, #MVC (P) was organised at Jamia Milia Islamia University Cemetery, New Delhi. The officer set an example of personal courage, exceptional qualities of leadership, and devotion to duty in the highest traditions of the Indian Army and was honoured with the Mahavir Chakra".
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Indian Army's Operational Logistics and Strategic Movement Director General Lieutenant General Pushpendra Singh and the colonel of the Parachute Regiment laid the wreath. On behalf of the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), a wreath was also laid to honour the war hero. Several other serving and retired army officers attended the event and paid their respect, a senior official said.
From the time when he jumped to save a drowning child -
Usman showed remarkable courage and discipline from a very young age. At the age of 12, he heroically leaped into a well to rescue a drowning child.
Determined to pursue a military career, he overcame the significant challenges faced by Indians seeking commissioned ranks and fierce competition to secure admission to the prestigious Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He enrolled at Sandhurst in 1932, was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, and was appointed to the Unattached List for the Indian Army on 1 February 1934.
Promotions -
He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 April 1936 and Captain on 31 August 1941. Between February and July 1942, he studied at the Indian Army Staff College in Quetta. By April 1944, he had attained the temporary rank of Major. During his service in Burma, he was mentioned in dispatches as a temporary Major in the London Gazette on 25 September 1945. From April 1945 to April 1946, he led the 14th Battalion of the 10th Baluch Regiment (14/10 Baluch).
Book on life of Brig Usman to release on 17 July -
A new book on the life and times of Brigadier Mohd Usman will hit the stands, announced publishing house Bloomsbury India on Thursday.
"The Lion of Naushera", based on the moniker earned by Brigadier Usman for his heroics in the battle of Naushera in Jammu and Kashmir, gives readers an account of the patriotic young man who foiled Pakistani incursions in Kashmir. It is written by authors Ziya Us Salam and Anand Mishra.
"While some heroes have been duly and gratefully feted, others have not always got their due. The 'Lion of Naushera' is an attempt to clear some of the debts we owe to Brigadier Usman.
"Not only does it tell the story of the brave soldier, it also presents a multifaceted narrative of India – of how people of all faiths, castes and regions fought for the independence of the country and protected its borders," said the publisher in a statement.
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The Usman Memorial website (www.usmanmemorial.in) launched a digital platform offering worldwide access to the memorial, along with e-learning content, archival material, and community resources and connecting people with the legacy of sacrifice and acting as a gateway to learning and civic inspiration, said the official statement.
The launch was accompanied by community outreach activities, including a medical camp, plantation drive, play events, and relief kit distribution in collaboration with Amazon India for locals affected during Operation Sindoor. The event concluded with the felicitation of war awardees and an interaction with villagers over refreshments, blending remembrance with community solidarity.
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