Mohammad Usman MVC Nowshera ka Sher | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 15 July 1912 Bibipur (now Mau district), United Provinces, British India |
| Died | 3 July 1948 (aged 35) Nowshera, Jammu and Kashmir, India |
| Allegiance |  British India India |
| Service |  British Indian Army Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1934–1948 |
| Rank |  Brigadier |
| Unit |  10th Baluch RegimentDogra Regiment |
| Commands | 50 Para Brigade 77 Para Brigade 14/10 Baluch |
| Battles / wars | Second Mohmand Campaign World War II Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 |
| Awards |  Maha Vir Chakra |
Brigadier Mohammad Usman MVC (15 July 1912 – 3 July 1948)[1] was the highest ranking officer of the Indian Army killed in action during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. As a Muslim, Usman became a symbol of India's inclusive secularism.[2] At the time of the partition of India he with many other Muslim officers declined to move to the Pakistan Army due to the illegal occupation & riots and continued to serve with the Indian Army.[3] He was martyred in July 1948 while fighting Pakistani soldiers and militia in Jammu and Kashmir.[3] He was later awarded the second highest Indian military decoration for gallantry in the face of enemy, the Maha Vir Chakra.[4][5]
- ^ Wreath Laying Ceremony of Brig Mohammad Usman, MVC, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, 3 July 2014.
- ^ Guha, Ramachandra (24 July 2007). India after Gandhi. HarperCollins. p. 94. ISBN 978-0-06-019881-7.
- ^ a b "Tributes paid to Brigadier Usman", The Hindu, 5 July 2004.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Hindu 2012was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Brig Mohammad Usman's death anniversary commemorated, Business Standard, 3 July 2015.