Begum Pasha Shah: A Trailblazer in Indian Military History
Begum Pasha Shah etched her name in history as the first Muslim woman to join the Women’s Auxiliary Corps (WAC) in India.
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Undersized for the typical recruit at just 4 feet 11 inches, his courage during the Second World War proved to be anything but diminutive. Gurung’s bravery earned him the highest military honour for gallantry – the Victoria Cross (VC).
Born in 1917, Gurung enlisted in the 8th Gurkha Rifles in 1940. Despite falling short of the peacetime height requirement, due to wartime exceptions, he quickly proved his mettle. By 1945, Rifleman Gurung found himself on the frontlines in Burma, facing a tenacious enemy – the Japanese.
The scene of Gurung’s incredible feat was the village of Taungdaw on the west bank of the Irrawaddy River. On the night of 12 May 1945, a fierce Japanese assault erupted. Gurung, manning the most forward position of his platoon, withstood the worst of the attack.
A grenade blast shattered the night, severely wounding Gurung’s right hand. Unfazed, he switched his rifle to his left hand and continued firing, repelling wave after wave of enemy soldiers. Despite his injury and mounting pressure, Gurung held his ground for a staggering four hours. Gurung’s single-handed defence not only blunted the enemy attack but also bought his comrades precious time to reinforce his position.
After the war, Gurung continued his service, eventually rising to the rank of Havildar. He was invested with his VC by Lord Louis Mountbatten at the Red Fort, New Delhi, on 19 December 1945.
The citation for his VC award recounts his extraordinary actions: “Regardless of his wounds, fired and loaded his rifle with his left hand, maintaining a continuous and steady rate of fire… determined not to give one inch of ground.”
Gurung’s heroism came at a cost; he sustained serious injuries, losing his right hand and sight in his right eye.
In 2008 Lachhiman Gurung moved to Hounslow, UK from Nepal and was made a Freeman of the Borough. He attended many functions of the Nepalese communities and was honorary vice-president of the Chiswick branch of the Royal British Legion. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 92.
Begum Pasha Shah etched her name in history as the first Muslim woman to join the Women’s Auxiliary Corps (WAC) in India.
Gaje Ghale was born on 1 August 1918 in Barpak, Gorkha District, Nepal. Barpak, a small village nestled in the rugged terrains of the Himalayas, is in a region that has produced some of the most esteemed soldiers to have served in the armed forces.
Records indicate that no Victoria Crosses were awarded to Indian soldiers specifically for their actions at Monte Cassino during The Second World War. However, Indian soldiers played a significant role in the gruelling battles for Monte Cassino, with many displaying exceptional bravery. One soldier, Sepoy Kamal Ram of the 8th Punjab Regiment, did receive the Victoria Cross for his actions at the Garigliano River in Italy in May 1944.
The George Cross (GC) is the highest civilian gallantry award given in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
The first of the Trust’s projects is the South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM), which first took place in 2020 and runs from the 18th of July to the 17th of August each year.
SAHM seeks to commemorate, mark and celebrate South Asian cultures, histories, and communities.
It seeks to understand the diverse heritage and cultures that continue to link the UK with South Asia.
© South Asian Heritage Trust | All Rights Reserved
