Brigadier Mohammed Usman, known as “Naushera ka Sher,” was a towering hero of the 1947-48 Indo-Pak war. His unwavering commitment to India and his extraordinary bravery in battle made him one of the most revered figures in the Indian Army.
Usman was born on July 15, 1912, in Bibipur, of the Mau district in Uttar Pradesh, displaying courage and determination from his childhood days. He was just 12 when he jumped into a well to save a drowning child. Though he stammered in his childhood, he was able to overcome the speech defect with iron will. He was among the last batch of ten Indian cadets to train at the prestigious Royal Military Academy (RMA) in Sandhurst, England, in 1932. He was commissioned into the Baluch Regiment at the age of 23 and saw action in Afghanistan and Burma during World War II. Rising rapidly through the ranks, he became a Brigadier.
During the partition of India, he was offered the highest military position in the Pakistani Army, with assurances from Mohammed Ali Jinnah and Liaquat Ali Khan. However, he chose to remain in India, demonstrating his unshakable allegiance to the country. He was posted as the Brigade Commander of the 50 (Independent) Parachute Brigade and played a crucial role in rescuing Hindu and Sikh civilians from communal violence in Punjab.
On October 22, 1947, Pakistan launched an invasion of Jammu and Kashmir. Indian troops were airlifted into the region on October 27. Initially, Brigadier Usman and his 77 Para Brigade were stationed in Amritsar, while Brigadier Paranjpe led the 50 Para Brigade at Naushera. When Paranjpe was wounded on November 28, Usman was sent to take command.
The fall of Jhangar on December 25, 1947, was a significant blow to India. Brigadier Usman vowed not to sleep on a bed until he recaptured Jhangar. Enduring freezing temperatures, he slept on the floor for months. Meanwhile, he strengthened defenses in Naushera, leading to a decisive battle on February 6, 1948. Facing an enemy force of 11,000 with just five battalions under his command, Usman’s leadership turned the tide. The battle saw the heroic defense of Tain Dhar by 1 Rajput, where 26 out of 27 soldiers laid down their lives, earning Naik Jadunath Singh a Param Vir Chakra posthumously. At the end of the battle, 2,000 enemy soldiers were dead, while India lost only 33 troops. This victory established Usman as a national hero and earned him the title “Naushera ka Sher.”
Despite being celebrated, Usman remained humble. When Major General Kalwant Singh credited him for the victory, he protested, insisting that his troops deserved equal recognition. In March 1948, he launched an offensive to reclaim Jhangar. Before the attack, he addressed his soldiers, invoking their duty to the nation with these words:
“The eyes of the world are on us. The hopes and aspirations of our countrymen are based upon our efforts. We must not falter—we must not fail them.”
On March 19, 1948, after nearly three months, Jhangar was recaptured. Fulfilling his vow, Usman finally slept on a bed borrowed from a local village. During the conflict, he also demonstrated compassion by ordering his battalion to fast on Tuesdays, ensuring that civilians had enough food in the war-torn region. He trained children in Naushera to assist the army, and three of them later received gallantry awards.
Tragically, on July 3, 1948, Brigadier Usman was martyred in enemy shelling at Jhangar, just twelve days before his 36th birthday. His sacrifice was so deeply honored that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Governor-General Rajagopalachari, Defence Minister Baldev Singh, and Chairman of the Constituent Assembly Dr. Rajendra Prasad attended his state funeral. His prayers were led by Education Minister Maulana Azad, and he was laid to rest with full military honors at Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi.
Brigadier Usman’s legacy remains a symbol of valor, dedication, and patriotism. The Maha Vir Chakra awardee set an unparalleled example of leadership, selflessness, and devotion to the nation. His life and sacrifice continue to inspire generations of Indians.
