K.A.S. Raja

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Kottimukula Alagaraja Singaparaja Raja, known as K.A.S. Raja, was an Indian military officer.

Early life

K.A.S. Raja was born to a politically prominent family from

Chief Minister of Madras Presidency and Governor of Orissa.[1]

Military career

On 17 June 1940 Raja enlisted in the ranks of the 11th (Madras) battalion, Indian Territorial Force then on 28 July 1940 was granted a viceroy's commission in the rank of Jemadar in the same unit.[2] The battalion was converted to a regular battalion of the British Indian Army on 15 September 1941 titled the 1st Battalion, 3rd Madras Regiment.[3] On 21 December 1941 Raja received an emergency commission as a second lieutenant in the 3rd Madras Regiment in the British Indian Army.[4]

Raja fought in the

Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948.[6]

In the spring of 1961 Raja led a 4,500 strong contingent,[1] the Indian Independent Brigade Group, to the Republic of the Congo to serve as a peacekeeping force in the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC).[7] On 5 August 1961 ONUC created an independent Katanga Command under Raja headquartered in Élisabethville.[8] On 28 August he led ONUC forces in conducting Operation Rum Punch, and action to detain and deport mercenaries and foreign military personnel serving in the Katangese Gendarmerie.[9] He returned to India with his brigade in April 1962.[10]

Legacy

In the 2016 film

Operation Morthor in September 1961, Raja's role is portrayed by the character General Raja.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "U.N. Military Chief K.A.S. Raja". The New York Times. 7 December 1961. p. A2.
  2. ^ January 1941 Indian Army List. Defence Department, Government of India, 1941
  3. ^ October 1941 Indian Army List. Defence Department, Government of India, 1941
  4. ^ July 1942 and April 1943 Indian Army List. Defence Department, Government of India, 1942 & 1943
  5. ^ October 1946 Indian Army List. Page 269c. Defence Department, Government of India, 1946
  6. ^ "Jammu and Kashmir War". Official Indian Army Web Portal. Indian Army. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  7. ^ "UN Missions". Official Indian Army Web Portal. Indian Army. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  8. ^ Mockaitis 1999, p. 27.
  9. ^ Colvin 1968, p. 73.
  10. ^ "Jawans come home from Congo". Forum: The Indian Monthly Magazine. 1962. p. 17.
  11. ^ Nayudu, Swapna Kona (28 April 2021). "India's under-appreciated role as sword arm of the UN". Mint. Retrieved 19 May 2021.

Works cited

Military offices
Preceded by
S. S. Maitra
General Officer Commanding 54 Infantry Division

1969 - 1971
Succeeded by
WAG Pinto