Ghazipur’s Gahmar: The village where no soldier has been martyred yet

Gahmar, Asia’s largest village, has sent 15,000 soldiers to the Indian Army—a century-old tradition of unwavering patriotism. Read more on Dynamite News

Ghazipur: It was around 10 pm on May 8. I got a call from my son Neeraj, who is posted in the Uri sector of Kashmir. He said, "Papa, the firing has intensified, and duty has been increased. Now I will not be able to call for a few days. You don't worry.

Then there was no news for three days. On May 11, when he called again and said that he was fine, then I breathed a sigh of relief." According to the Dynamite News correspondent, 56-year-old Dinesh Singh's eyes shine with pride for his son.

Neeraj, a resident of Gahmar village in Ghazipur district, is one of those thousands of soldiers who are engaged in protecting the country's borders. But Gahmar village is not limited to Neeraj only. This is the village where patriotism is not only a feeling but a tradition.

The largest village in Asia, but known as 'village of soldiers' Gahmar, located about 40 kilometres from the Ghazipur district of Uttar Pradesh, is considered to be the largest village in the whole of Asia.

But its real identity is the 'village of soldiers.' The history of the army is recorded on every street, every house, and every wall here. Someone from almost every family is or has been in the Indian Army.

The village has produced 15,000 soldiers so far

There are more than 5,000 retired soldiers and about 10,000 active soldiers here. More than 200 youth from the village are currently deployed in Jammu and Kashmir alone. The elders of the village say that mothers here take an oath to make their children 'soldiers' as soon as they are born.

100-year-old tradition

The tradition of soldiers in the village is not new. The people here were also involved in the First World War of 1914-1919. Out of the 228 soldiers who fought against the British, 21 were martyred. Then in the years 1965 and 1971, and in the Kargil War also, the soldiers of Gahmar played an important role. The village has had officers ranging from 42 lieutenants to 23 brigadiers. While currently 45 colonel-rank officers are in service. More than 50 soldiers here have fought from 1965 to the Kargil War.

'If allowed, I am ready to fight even today.'

90-year-old Banshidhar Singh fought in the 1971 war. He says, "If the government allows, I can even today go to the border and face the enemies." At the same time, 72-year-old former Subedar Major Veer Bahadur Singh says, "This time there was a chance that we could have annexed PoK to India, but it was a pity. Our army showed tremendous bravery. Pakistan has nothing left except crying."

Army's mark in every street of the village

Every street of the village is named after a soldier. Every third youth here is preparing to join the army. Youths take army training every morning and evening in a ground called 'Mathia.' The ground has been designed by the retired soldiers of the village themselves. Which has all the military training facilities like a running track, monkey rope, and long jump.

Worship of Maa Kamakhya to protect sons

The women of the village worship Kuldevi Maa Kamakhya to protect their sons. Maa Kamakhya protects every soldier of the village. Since the year 1965, no soldier of the village has been martyred till now.