Indian Army Day 2026: Why is the Indian Army called one of the world's most experienced armies? Click to know more about Army da

Indian Army Day 2026: Today, India is celebrating National Army Day. Let's find out why the Indian Army is considered one of the world's most experienced armies.

Indian Army Day 2026: Every year on January 15th, India commemorates a historic moment from 1949. On this day, Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa took over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from British General Sir Francis Butcher. Since then, January 15th has been celebrated as Army Day. Let's find out why the Indian Army is considered one of the most experienced and battle-hardened armies in the world.

Experience from World Wars

Even before independence, Indian soldiers had already made their mark globally. During British rule, the British Indian Army was the world's largest volunteer army. Approximately 1.3 million Indian soldiers fought in the First World War, and nearly 2.5 million served during the Second World War. Indian soldiers fought not only in Asia but also in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. This gave Indian soldiers experience with modern weaponry, mechanized warfare, and fighting alongside the armies of many nations.

A Global Fighting Force Even Before Independence

Indian soldiers were not limited to colonial security duties. They fought on foreign soil in extremely challenging weather conditions. Their bravery was recognized with the Victoria Cross, the highest military honor of the British Empire. This global war experience meant that when India gained independence in 1947, it already possessed a well-trained, professional, and battle-tested military force.

Wars Fought by the Indian Army After Independence

Since 1947, the Indian Army has fought five major wars. The 1947-48 Indo-Pakistani War was fought to defend Jammu and Kashmir. The 1962 war with China tested India's mettle in high-altitude Himalayan warfare. This was followed by the 1965 war with Pakistan, which involved large-scale armored and infantry battles. The 1971 war led to the creation of Bangladesh. Then came the 1999 Kargil War, fought at extremely high altitudes, which demonstrated India's unparalleled strength in mountain warfare.

Major Military Operations

In addition to these wars, the Indian Army has conducted several major operations. Operation Polo integrated Hyderabad into India, Operation Vijay liberated Goa from Portuguese rule, and Operation Meghdoot secured the Siachen Glacier, which is the world's highest battlefield.