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50-524: Bakloh (or Bukloh (archaic spelling)) is a cantonment town. It is a hill station , 4584 feet above sea level, in Chamba district in the state of Himachal Pradesh , India . Bakloh and Balun, Dalhousie Cantonment , along with a sliver of territory to connect the two cantonments, was acquired in 1866 from the Raja of Chamba for a sum of rupees 5000. firstly Bakloh was meant for a 'Goorkha Cantonment' for

100-491: A press release notified that, in order to move on from older Colonial-era concepts, Ministry of Defence has decided to give up responsibility to consider to excise civil areas of certain Cantonments and merge them with neighbouring State municipalities. As of then, there were 58 Cantonments of which 10 were to be handed over in the first phase. The administration of civil areas was to be handed over from Cantonment Boards to

150-574: A small supplement from the regiment. To ensure better care of these and other regimental 'remains' in Bakloh, it has been suggested that these be handed over to the Gorkha Sabha, Bakloh, for better upkeep. A regimental memorial "To commemorate the relationship with Bakloh and 4 GR, ie the Home of the 4 Gorkhas" was constructed at the entrance of the parade ground, in 2003. The Cantonment Board, Bakloh,

200-638: Is a divided house with "various stake holders (from different regiments pulling in different directions)", and that the "present avatar of Gorkha Sabha is mostly on a 'begging bowl mode'." The Gorkha Sabha receives financial assistance from the Government of India for welfare activities which includes providing Stipends and scholarship to deserving dependents of ex servicemen; and conducting coaching classes and vocational training, in various fields. In addition, it interfaces with respective record offices to resolve pension problems, secure financial assistance from

250-408: Is a group of military ranks which is higher than havildar ( non-commissioned officer ) and lower than lieutenant ( commissioned officer ). The term is only used by Nepal, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. Senior havildars are promoted to JCO rank on the basis of merit and seniority, restricted by the number of vacancies. JCOs are treated as a separate class and hold additional privileges. Primarily

300-578: Is a prestigious Institute of Bakloh and has more than 400 students enrolled presently(2020) Government Senior Secondary School, affiliated to the Himachal Pradesh Board of Education Dharmshala (HPBOSE), is located in Kakira, Chamba (HP). It has a large building and a big ground, which makes it a hub for various activities for the surrounding villages & towns. the foundation of this school is put by Shri Harigiri ji. Before that this school

350-543: Is category IV Cantonment. The board consists of four members, including two elected members. The Gorkha Sabha was established in 1933. The Sabha for want of office space and patronage, after a year or so of existence, became dormant. In 1953 under the presidency of Honorary Lieutenant Babar Singh, SB, OBI , it was revived. In 2008, the Sabha celebrated its Platinum Jubilee . Majority of the Gorkha pensioners in Bakloh are from

400-601: Is held in Guru Gorakh Nath Mandir. The format for the Pooja celebrations is issued by the Commandant 14 GTC as a Standing Operating Procedure . In addition to ex-servicemen , small puja contingents from each of the five battalions and the 14 GTC also participate in the event. These celebrations are followed by a barakhana for ex-servicemen and their families. Bakloh Cantonment was established in 1866. It

450-437: Is located at Lal Barag currently known as 1/4 Bakloh near military hospital Bakloh. This school had a great history . Till now GSSS Kakira has provided true gems to this nation. Many of them are scientists, Soldiers, Army officers and many more. Many of them had participated in kargil war (1999) . The population of Bakloh in 1881, was 1479 (1300 Hindus, 13 Sikhs, 154 Muslims, and 12 others). 120 years later, in 2001, according to

500-464: Is located on the way to Chilama. Lokeshwar Mandir was inaugurated on Shivratri , 18 February 1947, in the presence of large number of people. The temple was inspired and designed by Agam Gurung. It was constructed in 1946 with local material, in the Nepal temple style, with three tier roof, by demobilised men waiting to be released after World War II . It is located on the path to Dalhousie, below

550-648: Is pay levels 6, 7 and 8 (Respectively) The JCO evolved from the viceroy's commissioned officers (VCOs), established in the Indian Army 1 during the British Raj in 1885. The VCOs themselves succeeded the so-called native officers holding a commission from the Governor General . Gurkha regiments in British service had also their set of 'native officers' resp. VCOs, although their homeland Nepal

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600-512: Is provided in Bangladesh cantonments: Several cities in the Indian subcontinent , including Ahmedabad , Ambala , Bellary , Belgaum , Bangalore , Danapur , Jabalpur , Kanpur , Bathinda , Delhi , Nilgiris , Chennai , Mumbai , Pune , Meerut , Ramgarh , Secunderabad , and Trichy , contained large cantonments of the former British Indian Army , with Meerut and Ramgarh being two of

650-584: The 4th Goorkha Regiment , raised at Pithoragarh uttar Pradesh in 1857. Balun, the cantonment in Dalhousie, was for British troops. Bakloh remained the home and the Regimental Center and Depot, of the 4th Gorkha Rifles, known as the 4th Prince of Wales Own Gurkha Rifles, for 82 years, from 1866 to 1948. 2/4 Gorkha Rifles was raised in Bakloh on 22 April 1886; 3/4 Gorkha Rifles on 15 November 1940; and 4/4 Gorkha Rifles on 15 March 1941. In 1934,

700-902: The Duke of Wellington 's headquarters were in Brussels, most of his Anglo–allied army of 93,000 soldiers were cantoned , or stationed, to the south of Brussels. The former Sherpur Cantonment in Kabul , Afghanistan, which was the site of the Siege of the Sherpur Cantonment (1879) in the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–1880), is now maintained as a British Army cemetery. In Bangladesh, cantonments are residential quarters for many military personnel as well as headquarters for different army units. A wide variety of military training

750-463: The 1/4 GR Mandir , was made by the 1/4 GR in the 19th century. In it are three deities- Shiva , Kali -ka, and Gorakh Nath. This Mandir is maintained by 1/4 GR and 5/4 GR. It was renovated in 2012. The first Pujari of 1/4 GR temple was Pandit Neel Kanth. In 1890, 2/4 GR constructed the Kali-ka mandir or 2/4 GR mandir. This temple is currently being maintained by the Gorkha Sabha, Bakloh. In 1923,

800-456: The 19th century Sealy Bungalow, which briefly housed the regimental kindergarten, but is now in a state of neglect and disrepair. Senior officers of the regiment have suggested that it be converted into a holiday home. The resident battalion of the regiment is expected to take care of the regiment's properties in Bakloh. In the absence of a battalion of the regiment, the Gorkha Sabha is expected to take care of these properties for which it receives

850-577: The 4th Gorkha Rifles. The Gorkha Sabha, Bakloh, is a representative body of all Gorkhas in Bakloh, including Gorkha Ex-servicemen (ESM) and their dependents. The Gorkha Sabha, is a 'sister' organization of the Himachal Pradesh Gorkha Ex-Serviceman's Welfare Association, Bakloh. The Gorkha Sabha, Bakloh, has close relations with the Gorkha Sabha, Dharamshala, and the Himachal and Punjab Gorkha Association, Dharamshala ,

900-540: The 5 km long cart track from Bakloh to Tannu Hatti, on the Dalhousie road, was converted into a motor-able road. The first car, belonging to Captain TDC Owens, arrived in Bakloh in the same year. In the wake of the Partition of India , in 1947, the regimental centres of the Indian Army were reorganized. The 4th Gorkha Rifles (GR) Regimental Center and Depot (GRRC), was shifted from Bakloh, first to Dharamshala ,

950-598: The AIGEWA, and the Zila Sainik board in Chamba , and arrange to issue of canteen and ECHS smart cards. The first school in Bakloh was established by the 4the Gurkha Rifles Centre and Depot for imparting education to soldiers, recruits, and children of soldiers and pensioners. In 1877 the 4 Gurkhas Regimental School, had 56 students. The Inspector of Education, in that year, in his annual report, noted that

1000-564: The Centre of the 1st Gorkha Rifles , and then to Chakrata , and finally to Sabathu , Shimla Hills . In Sabathu the 4th Gorkha Rifles Centre was merged with the 1st Gorkha Rifles Centre to become the First and Fourth Gorkha Training Centre (14 GTC). In the wake of the move of the 4 GRRC from Bakloh to Sabathu, Indian Army Headquarters, in Delhi , on the prompting of senior officers of regiment,

1050-528: The First Four Bazaar. The temple contain memorial plaques with names of those killed in World War II. Until the construction of the new regimental mandir in 2008, this was considered the main and the most sacred Regimental Mandir, in Bakloh, used for Sansari Pooja . The regiment's centenary pooja in 1957 was conducted in this mandir. It was maintained by annual contributions by battalions of

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1100-458: The Gorkh Nath mandir was constructed. Gorakh Nath Mandir Re-constructed & By 2/4 GR Bn CO Col GS Batabyal, 2ic Lt Col Dinesh Sharma, construction Task by 2/4 GR Assalt PNR PL Cdr Sub Indra Bahadur Gurung and Unit jawans dt Jan to Apr 2000. Inaugurated by Bn CO Col GS Batabyal dt 18 Apr 2000. After Re-construction ... Gorakh Nath Mandir Visit Col 4GR Lt Gen Ashok Chakki ... July 2001. This

1150-707: The Indian Army rank system for their soldiers in the 1960s through a series of reorganizations and the JCO term has been used by them from then. After the secession of East Pakistan in 1971, the Bangladesh Army inherited the JCO rank system from the Pakistan Army though since the early 2000s the army has used the warrant officer terms. The pay scale for Indian Naib Subedar, Subedar and Subedar major rank

1200-661: The Regiment. Every year in April a Shobha yatra , in which large number of ex-servicemen participate, starts from the Guru Gorakh Nath Mandir. The yatra goes around Bakloh, covering a distance of approximately 10 kilometers. From 19 to 22 April each year Puja , is conducted at the Guru Gorakh Nath Mandir,the Sansari Mandir, and the Kali Mata Mandir. On the last day of the puja program a combined Regimental puja

1250-820: The Third Battalion, which had served under him during the Burma campaign , as part of the Chindit Operations , in World War II . During the visit, he made a big impression on the young Indian Officers. While reviewing the Guard of Honor he spoke with the men in fluent Nepali, reminisced about the war in Burma, and recognized those who had served with him in the war by their names and, more impressively, by their regimental numbers. The Fifth Battalion (5/4 GR)

1300-1046: The military reforms of Lord Kitchener in 1903, and the Cantonments Act of 1924. At India's Independence in 1947, India had 56 cantonments. After this India added 6 cantonments the last being Ajmer Cantonment in 1962, taking the total number to 62. They covered an area of 161,000 acres (650 km ). As of 2019, there were sixty-one "notified cantonments" in India, occupying an area of 157,000 acres (640 km ): twenty-five in Central Command , nineteen in Southern Command , thirteen in Western Command , four in Eastern Command , and one in Northern Command . On 24 July 2024,

1350-553: The most important cantonments in Northern India , second only to the headquarters at Rawalpindi (now in Pakistan). Meerut was established in 1803, and for 150 years was the largest cantonment in the region. Although cantonments in India were considered to be semi-permanent in the 18th and 19th centuries, by the turn of the 20th century, they had transitioned to being permanent garrisons. They were further entrenched as such, via

1400-475: The move of the 4 GR Regimental Centre to Sabathu, Bakloh ceased to be exclusively a 4th Gorkha Rifles station. The Barracks , and Bungalows of 1/4 GR, and 2/4 GR, eponymously referred to as 1/4 and 2/4 lines, became peacetime locations for two battalion-sized units through which infantry units are rotated every two-three years. In 1948, 3/4 Gorkha Rifles (3/4 GR), which was in Jammu, was moved to Bakloh to occupy

1450-627: The neighbouring Municipalities while the military region was to remain with the Armed Forces. However, on 27 April 2024, KhasYol had become the first cantonment board to be "de-notified". On 2 September 2024, it was reported that paperwork are being completed to handover civilian areas of Cantonments from the Indian Army. The Cantonments include Dehradun, Deolali, Nasirabad, Babina, Ajmer, Ramgarh, Mathura, Shahjahanpur, Clement Town and Fatehgarh. The report sain, "Indian Army’s Central Command , South Western Command and Southern Command are in

1500-417: The official census, the population was 1810; with an unexplained, adverse gender ratio of 55 percent male and 45 percent female. The overall average literacy at 83% is higher than the national average of 59.5%. Bakloh has year-round temperate weather, excellent trekking tracks, heritage buildings, charming old bazaars , and temples. Yet it gets few visitors. Bakloh is a Photographer's Paradise. A place which

1550-836: The only other Gorkha ESM welfare association in HP. The HP Gorkha Ex-Serviceman's Welfare Association, Bakloh, is registered with and part of the All India Ex-Serviceman's Welfare Association (AIGEWA), Dehradun . Presently The Gorkha Sabha Bakloh houses in an old Regimental building which was once a NCO club of 4GR. The first president was of the Gorkha Sabha Bakloh was Captain Ranu Thapa. The Gorkha Sabha since its inception in 1933 has had 19 Presidents. Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Gagan Singh, Gurung,

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1600-484: The process of completing the hand over exercise in coordination with Uttarakhand , Maharashtra , Rajasthan , Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh governments." Major cantonments and garrisons include the following: Babina cantonments* Cantonments, Accra Cantonments in Nigeria refer to permanent military installations which house active personnel and their families. Cantonments in Nigeria include: In Singapore,

1650-634: The progress was ‘not very satisfactory’, and that improvement was expected after the return of the Master who had been sent to Umballa , for ‘a course of instruction in the Military Normal School . Even after the 4th GR Centre moved from Bakloh to Sabathu, battalions of the regiment, whenever located in Bakloh, as a matter of course, have run primary school for the children of soldiers, and dependents of pensioners. This tradition has been continued by units of other regiments. In 2012, 18 Dogras

1700-617: The regiment. However, over the years, its upkeep was neglected. It lost patrons because of, amongst other reasons, its relative remoteness. 2/4 GR after it returned from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), in 2000, carried out repairs and renovation of Shri Guru Gorakhnath Mandir. The repair and renovation was led by Subedar Major Dhan Bahadur Rana, and executed by Pioneer/Assault Platoon Commander Subedar Indra Bahadur Gurung. The renovated mandir

1750-580: The spare accommodation in Bakloh, as the centre started to move out. While the Third Battalion (3/4GR) was in Bakloh, Maj General Walter David Alexander Lentaigne , CB, CBE, DSO, better known as "Joe" Lentaigne, who was then the Commandant of the Indian Defense Services Staff College, Wellington, Niligri hills , Tamil Nadu , and the Colonel of Regiment, 4 Gorkha Rifles, visited Bakloh on his farewell rounds and to be with

1800-458: The term is used to denote a police cantonment. The United States military commonly uses the term "cantonment" to describe the permanent facilities at U.S. Army training bases as opposed to the field training areas. Cantonment areas often include housing (such as barracks and maid-service quarters), dining facilities, training classrooms, exchanges, and paved air fields. Junior commissioned officer Junior commissioned officer ( JCO )

1850-477: The term was associated with armies but since the 2000s India's and Pakistan's navies and air forces are using the term to indicate their chief petty officers and warrant officers . The Indian Army has recruited Gurkha soldiers from Nepal since the 19th century and separate Gurkha regiments were created for them, the Gurkha soldiers got same ranks as other Indian soldiers; the modern Nepal Army officially used

1900-494: The time of independence in 1947, there were many Indian (and Pakistani) officers who had graduated from Sandhurst or the Indian Military Academy . There is also a custom of giving honorary commissions to deserving JCOs. Every year a list of eligible JCOs is drawn up and honorary commissions awarded to them. This could be at the time of retirement, or when still in service. Honorary commissioned officers may wear

1950-402: The upkeep and securing of regimental properties. A former Commanding Officer of 2/4 Gorkha Rifles, in 2011, wrote, that his attempts in the 1980s to "improve the ‘conditions of ex servicemen'" did not make headway and that pensioners were "reluctant to tread fresh ground and were unwilling to undertake any projects." Another senior officer of the Regiment, in 2011, observed that the Gorkha Sabha

2000-492: Was "ready to consider" locating one battalion of the regiment in Bakloh to look after regimental pensioners, property, and widows. The idea, of reserving Bakloh for a battalion of the Regiment, however, did not find favour with many officers, including Commanding officers and "nothing came of it." The main objections raised against Bakloh being designated as reserved location for the Regiment was lack of educational facilities, and sources of "entertainment of big cities". Following

2050-404: Was attended by a large number of officers, junior commissioned officers and men, including many Indian and British officers who had served in Bakloh before the 4 GR Centre was shifted to Sabathu. The 4 GR owns several historical regimental properties in Bakloh. These include the 4 GR Memorial on the edge of the old 1/4 GR parade ground, Kharati lines, 1/4 GR and 2/4 GR widow's lines, mandirs, and

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2100-591: Was awarded a 'Commendation Card' by the Army Commander for his work in constructing the new mandir. The new mandir is located above and on the right of the Kalimata mandir. The new regimental mandir was formally inaugurated on 22 April 2008, with much fan-fare, by Lt Gen TK Sapru, GOC in C Western Command, in the presence of all the Commanding Officers, Subedar-Majors, and religious teachers of

2150-793: Was elected as President of the Sabha on 31 December 2011. He was succeeded in 2012 by Hony Lieutenant Vijay Kumar Gurung, 8 GR. In 2013 the Gorka Sabha had 483 members. They belonged to 14 regiments and Corps of the Indian army as follows: 1 GR 30, 3 GR 5, 4 GR 374, 8 GR 10, 9 GR 4, 11 GR 5, Garhwal Rifles 2, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles 20, EME 4, Parachute regiment 5, Signal Regiment 3, Corps of Military police 2, and Intelligence Corps 5. The Gorkha Sabha leadership has often been faulted for lack of leadership, particularly in motivating pensioners to participate in self-help community projects; mobilizing funds for its activities; and tardiness in

2200-610: Was given the responsibility for its upkeep and maintenance, by the General Officer Commanding , Mountain Division. Since then doubts have arisen on the commitment of the Cantonment Board to maintain the memorial, and it has been suggested that the Gorkha Sabha should be enlisted to ensure its care and security. Over the years 4 Gorkha Rifles has constructed several temples in Bakloh. The first temple,

2250-575: Was inaugurated by Col G S Batabyal, CO 2/4 GR in April 2000. Despite the many regimental mandirs in Bakloh, in May 2007, it was decided by the Colonel of the Regiment and the Centre Commandant, to construct yet another mandir. The new mandir, designated as 4GR Gorakh Nath Regimental Mandir, was constructed in four months from December 2007 to April 2008, under the supervision of Mr Swaminathan, from Tamil Nadu, and Naib Subedar Sher Bahadur Thapa, who

2300-571: Was instituted. Indians who had qualified through the Imperial Cadet Corps would earn a commission that was limited to having authority over Indian troops only. Its holders could not rise above major . From 1917, in the midst of World War I , Indians 'with good family background' became eligible to study at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst and earn a commission as King's Commissioned Indian Officer (KCIO). By

2350-583: Was loved by the British Officers is still an unleashed hill station for tourists. It is believed that Bakloh will be a well-known tourist place in the years to come. Cantonment The word cantonment , derived from the French word canton , meaning corner or district , refers to a temporary military or winter encampment. For example, at the start of the Waterloo campaign in 1815, while

2400-531: Was never a British colony. Under the British, there was a clear colonial context, with the VCOs being the highest ranks an Indian could attain. The full commissioned officers were British, from the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th century. However, that changed slowly under the principles of Indianisation . In 1905, a special form of a king’s Commission in His Majesty’s Native Land Forces

2450-453: Was raised in the 1/4 GR lines, Bakloh, in 1963, by Lt Colonel Ranjit Singh Chandel. The battalion, after three years in NEFA, returned to Bakloh for a second tenure in 1974. On 5 June 1976, Lt Colonel V Rajaram, formerly of 3/4 GR, succeeded Lt Colonel Jayant Pawar, as the commanding Officer. During its second tenure in Bakloh, the regimental reunion was held, in 1977. After the reunion, the battalion moved to Jammu and Kashmir in 1977. The reunion

2500-451: Was running a primary school, till class 5. On the army's urging the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan opened a Kendriya Vidyalaya (central school), affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education , in Bakloh Cantonment, in October 1982. The school has classes 1 through 12. The chairman of the school is Commander 323 Mountain Brigade. The Kendriya Vidyalaya Bakloh got its own new building after an interval of 32 odd years on 16 February 2014. It

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