How the Bathinda military station, one of the country’s largest, came into being

Source: The post is based on the article “How the Bathinda military station, one of the country’s largest, came into being” published in Indian Express on 13th April 2023

What is the News?

Four army soldiers were killed in the firing that took place at the Bathinda Railway Station in Punjab.

What is Bathinda military station? 

Bathinda military station is located along the National Highway-7 on the Chandigarh-Fazilka stretch that further leads to Rajasthan. 

The station is the headquarters of the 10 Corps of the Army, better known as Chetak Corps.

The military station is a vital operational as well as a logistics base for the Army units responsible for the defence of southern Punjab and adjoining Rajasthan.

What is the historical importance of Bathinda?

Bathinda’s military history is far older. It was always an important post when it came to invaders from the west and Qila Mubaraq Fort in Bathinda is a standing reminder of the historic past. 

Qila Mubaraq is believed to have been built in the 6th century as a defence against the invading Huns. Successive rulers made a number of additions and alterations to it.

During British rule, Bathinda and its surrounding areas remained under the British flag and away from the Khalsa Raj of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. In the early 1900s, the British expanded their military footprint in Bathinda. 

During World War 1, it served as an important recruitment hub, feeding thousands of youth into the military supply chain for the British war machine.

Gradually, Bathinda also became an important transit point for military forces focussed on the northwestern frontiers of undivided India.