Sher Jung Thapa

Brigadier Sher Jung Thapa (Nepali: शेर जंग थापा) also revered as The Hero of Skardu, is one of the few recipients of Indian Army's second highest gallantary award, the Mahavir Chakra (MVC).

Sher Jung Thapa was born in Abbottabad, Punjab, British India (now Pakistan) on 15 April 1907. His grandfather, Subedar Balkrishna Thapa (2/5 GR(FF)), had moved from his ancestral home at Tapke Gaun, Gorkha District, Nepal to India. Sher Jung's father, Arjun Thapa, was an Honorary Captain (2/5 GR(FF)) in the British Indian Army and a World War II veteran.

During his childhood, his family moved from Abbottabad to Dharamsala where Thapa continued his education and attended college. He was known as being an excellent hockey player in college. Captain Douglas Gracey of the 1 Gorkha Regiment, who was also a hockey player, is said to have been impressed with Thapa. He was instrumental in Thapa obtaining a commissioned officer position in the Jammu and Kashmir State Forces.Jammu and Kashmir was one of the largest princely states in British India, ruled by Maharaja. Its State Forces were usually headed by British officers, until September 1947.

Thapa held the rank of major in the Jammu and Kashmir State Forces at the time of the princely state's accession to India in October 1947. As part of the 6th Infantry Battalion, Thapa was stationed in Leh in Ladakh. His commanding officer, Col. Abdul Majid was based at Bunji in the Gilgit wazarat, which had been returned to the princely state by the departing British administration. On 30 October, Col. Majid went to Gilgit along with forces to support Governor Ghansara Singh, who was apprehensive of the loyalty of the British-officered Gilgit Scouts based there. Unfortunately, the Muslim officers of the regiment mutinied under the leadership of Captain Mirza Hassan Khan and joined the Gilgit Scouts. Governor Ghansara Singh was arrested and Col. Majid was also taken prisoner. The Hindu and Sikh members of the forces were massacred. What was left of the State Forces escaped to Skardu in the Ladakh wazarat.

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