We had hardly gained Independence when Kashmir turned into a battlefield. Pakistan made repeated incursions to try to capture the Muslim-dominated state. Tall among the soldiers who fought with grit and gumption to lay to nought Pakistan’s design was Brigadier Mohammad Usman. He had chosen to stay in pluralist India. Ironically, he lost his life twelve days shy of his 36th birthday, fighting those he had refused to join. A newly born nation saluted the fallen warrior, conferring on him the sobriquet of ‘the Lion of Naushera’ for his exceptional bravery.
This story tells the tale of a fearless soldier while presenting a multifaceted narrative of India. It is the story of how people, regardless of personal faith, castes, and regions, have fought for the country’s independence and protected its borders.
Brigadier Mohammad Usman, famously known as the “Lion of Naushera,” is a towering colossus whose story blends unmatched valour, selfless patriotism, and strategic brilliance. In 1912, he was born in Azamgarh to a deeply principled and religious family. His father was a respected police officer in Benares. Commissioned in 1934, to the Baluch Regiment of the British Indian Army. Following India’s independence, when the division of regiments took place between India and Pakistan, Brigadier Usman decided to stay on despite being offered the highest post in the Pakistani Army by Muhammad Ali Jinnah; he refused the offer and chose to stay with India. This decision set the stage for the rest of his life.
Commanding the 50 (Independent) Parachute Brigade in Jammu and Kashmir, when the tribal militias backed by the Pakistan Army launched an offensive in 1947-48 to capture strategic areas in Kashmir, especially targeting Nowshera. Called upon to defend the Indian territory, he fought back with tenacity. Despite being outnumbered and under-equipped, he held his ground and defended Naushera. His rallying cry to his men was, “Do not retreat an inch. Fight to the last man and the last bullet.” Subsequently, led by him, the Indian Army withstood and repelled wave upon wave of assaults.
He continued to lead from the front even as threats to his life increased. On July 3, 1948, just days before his 36th birthday, he was killed in an enemy shelling in Jhangar, another strategically important location. His death was a huge blow to the Indian Army and the nation. Brigadier Usman was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), India’s second-highest wartime gallantry award.
His funeral was conducted with full state honours. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and other national leaders attended his funeral. His burial at the Jamia Millia Islamia campus in New Delhi, a solemn testament to his legacy. His choice to remain loyal to India despite the lure of high office elsewhere is celebrated as a symbol of patriotism. His bravery in battle and commitment to duty have made him a role model for officers and soldiers in the Indian Army.
Brigadier Usman represents courage beyond religion or regional identities. At a time when communal tensions were rife, his actions demonstrated what it meant to be an Indian first. He was the highest-ranking officer of the Indian Army to be killed in action during the 1947-48 war, who often spent time with his soldiers and ensured they were well-fed and morally uplifted. Despite his seniority, he frequently joined frontline soldiers, risking his life. Pakistan had placed a bounty of `50,000 on his head because of his effectiveness in battle.
His life represents the finest traditions of the Indian Army—selflessness, bravery, and unshakeable commitment. His tale is not just about military triumph but about the soul of a soldier who put his country above everything else. India will always remember him. He remains a symbol of patriotism, secularism, and courage, and he continues to inspire generations of Indians and our armed forces.