25 Facts About Ardeshir Tarapore

Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore, PVC, was an Indian military officer and posthumous recipient of India's highest military award, the Param Vir Chakra.

Ardeshir Tarapore was commissioned again in April 1951, and was posted to the Poona Horse regiment, 17th Battalion.

Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore was born into a Parsi family on 18August 1923 in Bombay.

Ratanjiba, one of Ardeshir Tarapore's ancestors, was a military leader under Chhatrapati Shivaji.

The family name "Ardeshir Tarapore" was the namesake of the village of Tarapur, Maharashtra.

Later, Ardeshir Tarapore's grandfather relocated to Hyderabad and started working in the Customs and Excise Department of the Nizam of Hyderabad.

Ardeshir Tarapore, was a scholar of Persian and Urdu languages; he worked for the same Customs and Excise Department.

Ardeshir Tarapore joined Sardar Dastur Boys' Boarding School, Pune, at the age of seven.

Ardeshir Tarapore did not do well at academic subjects, but was a good sportsman.

Ardeshir Tarapore completed his schooling in 1940, and was the school captain that year.

Ardeshir Tarapore completed his initial training at the Officers' Training School Golconda and OTS Bangalore.

Ardeshir Tarapore was commissioned into the 7th Hyderabad Infantry as a second lieutenant on 1January 1942.

Popularly known as "Adi", Ardeshir Tarapore was unhappy joining the infantry, as he wanted to join an armoured regiment.

Ardeshir Tarapore summoned Tarapore to his office and congratulated him.

Ardeshir Tarapore took the opportunity to request a transfer to an armoured regiment.

Ardeshir Tarapore was selected for the Indian Army and was commissioned as a captain on 1April 1951.

Ardeshir Tarapore was first posted on probation for two years to 'B' Squadron of the Poona Horse regiment, 17th Battalion, and later transferred to 'A' Squadron as its second-in-command.

India acquired Centurion tanks in the early 1960s and Ardeshir Tarapore was one of the officers selected to attend a training course in the United Kingdom.

Ardeshir Tarapore was promoted to major on 1 January 1958, and to lieutenant-colonel on 10 June 1965.

Ardeshir Tarapore held his ground and attacked Phillora under enemy tank and artillery fire.

Ardeshir Tarapore was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, for leading the regiment while injured, and inflicting significant tank losses on the Pakistani side, with an effective date of award of 11September 1965.

Ardeshir Tarapore who was then at the head of his regiment, defied the enemy's charge, held his ground and gallantly attacked Philloira with one of his squadrons supported by an infantry battalion.

Ardeshir Tarapore remained unperturbed throughout this action and when wounded refused to be evacuated.

Ardeshir Tarapore's wife received the award on Tarapore's behalf from the President of India.

Ardeshir Tarapore's name is displayed near the eternal flame and as relief mural on the semi circumference wall with the Param Vir Chakra awardees who attained martyrdom in Jammu and Kashmir.