The Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army marked its 200th Gunners’ Day on 28 September 2026, commemorating two centuries since the raising of 5 (Bombay) Mountain Battery on this date in 1827.
The occasion was observed across formations with wreath-laying ceremonies, veteran interactions and official greetings from the Chief of the Army Staff and other services.
Gunners’ Day is the raising day of the Regiment of Artillery. It honours the continuous service of the first Indian artillery unit, originally equipped with 2.5-inch guns. Although artillery has a longer history on the subcontinent, dating back to the 14th century and featuring prominently under the Mughals, Marathas, Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan and Maharaja Ranjit Singh, 28 September 1827 is treated as the foundational date of the modern regiment.
The regiment’s motto is Sarvatra Izzat-O-Iqbal (Everywhere with Honour and Glory).
Battlefield role and decorations
Artillery has served as a decisive supporting arm in every major post-Independence conflict: the 1947–48 operations, the 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars, and the 1999 Kargil conflict, where guns such as the Bofors systems proved critical on high-altitude terrain. The arm has also contributed to counter-terrorism operations and overseas missions. Its personnel have received a large number of gallantry awards, including one Ashok Chakra, seven Maha Vir Chakras, nine Kirti Chakras and more than 100 Vir Chakras, in addition to pre-Independence decorations.
Modernisation
The Regiment of Artillery is undergoing a systematic upgrade aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat. Efforts include standardisation on 155 mm calibre, induction and indigenous production of systems such as the K9 Vajra self-propelled howitzer, M777 Ultra-Light Howitzers, Sharang guns, rocket artillery, precision-guided munitions and improved surveillance and target-acquisition capabilities. The objective is greater mobility, range, accuracy and sensor-to-shooter integration for contemporary and future battlefields.
Ceremonies and official messages
A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. Lieutenant General Anoop Shinghal, Director General of Artillery and Colonel Commandant, together with serving personnel and veterans, paid homage to those who made the supreme sacrifice. Similar observances took place at other locations, including Smritika War Memorial in Lucknow, where Major General Vikramjit Singh Gill laid a wreath and Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, GOC-in-C Central Command, interacted with veterans. In Hyderabad, the Artillery Centre hosted a barakhana for serving personnel and approximately 200 veterans. Gatherings of 1965 and 1971 war veterans were also reported in Ludhiana.
Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth and all ranks of the Indian Army extended greetings to serving gunners, veterans and their families. The message highlighted the regiment’s precision, firepower and commitment to mission accomplishment. The Indian Air Force and other formations, including Southern Command under Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar, issued similar messages of congratulations.
The 200th Gunners’ Day served both as a commemoration of two centuries of service and as a reminder of the regiment’s continuing transformation into a networked, precision-oriented force. The traditional greeting within the arm remains: Once a Gunner, Always a Gunner.
