The Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army today commemorated its bicentenary, marking 200 years since the raising of the 5 (Bombay) Mountain Battery on 28 September 1827. The occasion, observed annually as Gunners Day, saw tributes from the highest echelons of the armed forces and widespread celebrations across the country.
Keywords: Gunners Day 2026, Regiment of Artillery, Bicentenary, Sarvatra Izzat-O-Iqbal, Indian Army, Artillery, Gunners Soldierathon, Hyderabad, Deolali, Howitzer, Dhanush
Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, along with all ranks of the Indian Army, extended warm greetings to serving personnel, veterans and families of the Regiment. “With precision, firepower and an unwavering commitment to mission accomplishment, the Gunners remain a formidable force on the battlefield, serving with pride and upholding the motto of “Sarvatra Izzat-O-Iqbal,” the Army Chief stated. Lt Gen Rajesh Pushkar, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Command, and other senior officers also saluted the gunners’ enduring commitment to the motto, which translates as “Everywhere with Honour and Glory.”
The Indian Air Force joined in the felicitations. All Air Warriors extended their warmest greetings and best wishes to personnel of the Regiment of Artillery on the 200th Raising Day, underscoring inter-service solidarity.
Celebrations reflected both the Regiment’s operational legacy and its living traditions. In Hyderabad, approximately 7,000 participants, including serving soldiers, families and fitness enthusiasts, took part in the Gunners Soldierathon at the Artillery Centre, Golconda, under the Fit India Movement. The event featured multiple race categories and reinforced the values of endurance and camaraderie. In Ludhiana, decorated veterans of the 1965 and 1971 wars gathered with their families to share experiences and renew the bond expressed in the ethos “Once a Soldier, Always a Soldier.” Similar veteran interactions, including a Barakhana (Grand Feast) at the Artillery Centre Hyderabad, strengthened intergenerational ties.
From its origins as a mountain battery equipped with rudimentary guns, the Regiment has evolved into a technologically advanced arm fielding modern precision systems, rockets and missiles. It has played decisive roles in every major conflict since Independence, consistently delivering accurate firepower in support of the Indian Army’s operations.
As the Gunners mark two centuries of distinguished service, the Regiment continues to stand as a pillar of the nation’s defence, ready for the challenges of the contemporary battlefield while remaining rooted in its proud heritage.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.