Book Extract | The Lion of Naushera by Ziya Us Salam and Anand Mishra

Book Extract

Excerpted with permission from the publisher The Lion of Naushera,‎ Ziya Us Salam and Anand Mishra, published by ‎ Bloomsbury India.
*******Memories in Stone
No visit to Jhangar and Naushera is ever complete without a respectful remembrance of Brigadier Mohammed Usman. The army has literally cast his memory in stone in Jhangar, where the braveheart was killed in shelling.

Enter the memorial and you realize the trees here have a sober, even sombre appearance. This greenery does not thrill. Rather, it provides a little shield from the world outside. As you take a few steps farther down, having already bowed your head under the arched gate of black marble under which opens a 4-foot-high wicket gate, you see an army tank on the left. There are tall, stately trees all around, almost in reverential attendance to the bust of Brigadier Usman placed a few yards further ahead. Besides the rectangular memorial painted in white on a red-coloured plinth, Brigadier Usman’s bust in uniform is flanked by rocks in black where the shelling took place. Outside, there is a brick-coloured boundary wall which is less imposing but equally dignified. Beyond it, life goes on as usual.

The outer wall of the building has the Sanskrit phrase from the Maha Upanishad, ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family), with colourful paintings of Indian life—both domestic and ascetic—while the inside has chairs, a reading desk and artistic bookshelves. It is a tribute to the man that Brigadier Usman was.The facility was inaugurated by Lieutenant General Navin Sachdeva, General Officer Commanding 16 Corps, as part of Operation Sadbhavana. At that time the GOC also visited Jhangar to review the operational preparedness along the LoC. He commended the troops for their professionalism and determination as he dedicated the newly inaugurated centre to the local population, which was integral to Brigadier Usman’s combat strategy when he fought the Pakistani forces in Jhangar and Naushera. More recently, on 15 September 2024, the Indian army dedicated the Usman Community Learning Centre and Career Counselling Hub to the local populace in Jhangar.

The Jhangar–Naushera zone is nestled amid natural beauty. Surrounded by the rugged foothills of the Himalayas, Jhangar stands as a testament to its inhabitants’ resilience and the rich blend of cultures within its boundaries. With its historical significance and diverse population, Jhangar offers a glimpse into the complex dynamics of the region. Local lore and historical accounts weave a fascinating tale of its origins, rooted in the life of a revered Brahmin named Jhangar Dass. Legend has it that Jhangar Dass, a man of profound spiritual connection and a strong bond with nature, stumbled upon this picturesque location while journeying. Captivated by the area’s serene beauty, he decided to make this his permanent home. Seeing its potential, he invited his friends, family and acquaintances to join him. The place started resembling a spiritual resort. Jhangar flourished under the guidance and inspiration of Jhangar Dass’s wisdom, earning him the respect and admiration of its inhabitants. Upon his death, the villagers, in a gesture of gratitude and reverence, named their settlement after him. Thus, Jhangar, synonymous with peace, prosperity and the memory of its founder, became an enduring symbol of the community’s identity.

Today, Jhangar is more than just a township; it is a microcosm of India’s diverse cultural landscape and its enduring spirit of sacrifice. The shrine of Baba Biram Sha Ji Dutt, the memorial to Brigadier Usman and the harmonious coexistence of different faiths, all are testimony to the resilience and unity of its people. As Jhangar grows, it remains a place of historical significance, spiritual devotion and cultural richness.

Major General (Retd) Kuldip Singh Sindhu mentions that the Mughal emperor Jahangir, like his father and other kings before him, travelled to Kashmir to escape the heat of the plains, often seeking respite during breaks between campaigns. But unlike his predecessors, Jahangir used a more direct route to this region. This 40-kilometre stretch from Sarai Samani–Sadabad to Naushera, Narian and Rajouri, is now tarmacked and called the ‘Mughal route’, and is an alternative to the Jammu–Srinagar highway.
According to Major General Sindhu, Naushera has witnessed great historical events, including the passage of Emperor Jahangir’s elephant caravan. He recalls an interesting take he heard while commanding the Naushera Brigade along the present-day LoC:
It is believed that both Jahangir and Noor Jahan travelled atop highly caparisoned tuskers, taking daily halts at evenly spaced resting areas called sarais. On one such occasion while climbing up from Samani–Sadabad [now in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir] through a narrow valley called Hathi Gala [in India], the elephants got spooked and refused to budge. The lead jumbo’s howdah was tossed off. Jahangir wondered what had caused this panic—on checking it was discovered that two massive, lifelike elephants carved out of stone stood in the centre of the path. That was the cause for the elephants refusing to move. Further enquiry revealed that this beautiful sculpture was the handiwork of a local artisan who had been fascinated by the elephant caravan during earlier visits.

The second instance related to Naushera was Jahangir’s death while returning from the valley to Delhi. Sindhu recalled:
The Mughal emperor had taken ill [possibly dysentery and related complications] on the return journey and breathed his last just 20 kilometres south of Rajouri at a place called Chingus [meaning ‘intestines’ in Persian], close to the sarai of Narian. Realizing the grave implications of Jahangir’s death, and wanting to prevent a war of succession amongst his children, Noor Jahan secretly had the emperor’s intestines removed to prevent his body from decaying, and had it embalmed and positioned atop the howdah. While no one except the chief physician and Noor Jahan was aware of the tragedy, a fellow traveller on foot [some say a munim/trader] accidentally discovered the truth. He noticed that a fly sat on the emperor’s face, and the latter made no attempt to swat it. Noor Jahan managed to keep the news a secret till the caravan reached Lahore and the rest is history.

‘Sarai Narian, where this momentous incident occurred, was properly restored during my tenure in 1995–96, and its historical record displayed to remind people,’ Major General Sindhu said.

Incidentally, the word ‘Naushera’ means ‘nine lions’. Naushera was one of the sarais on the Mughal emperor’s route, and members of his entourage often took a little breather here before resuming their onwards journey. The trek further ahead was an arduous one right up to the valley.

There are other tales too—that of the Pandavas hiding in this area, existence of the Laksha Griha, Bhim’s search for water for Mata Kunti and the well inside Khamba Fort besides Draupadi’s bathing pool. There is also the famous temple of Pir Badesar (close to the LoC); some call it the temple of Veer Bhadreshwar (another name for Lord Ganesh) where it is said he prayed and atoned for killing his grandsire. Also in this area are the famous Dogra and Sikh fortresses, which came into prominence during Maharaja Ranjit’s time and later as sanctuaries for Hindus and Sikhs fleeing the kabaili raiders in 1947.

Jhangar, once a prominent town in Jammu and Kashmir, has a rich history linked to the region’s political and economic developments. Its prime location within the Pir Panjal Range facilitated its growth and significance.

The twentieth century was a transformative period for the town. During the Dogra rule, the construction of the vital road connecting Jammu, Mirpur, Kotli and Poonch elevated the town’s importance. This new infrastructure transformed Jhangar into a crucial halting station, facilitating travel between various regions.

The subsequent connection to Naushera solidified its position as a strategic hub, equidistant from Mirpur, Kotli and Naushera. Its location made Jhangar an ideal stopping point for travellers and merchants. Prior to Partition, Jhangar was administratively part of Mirpur Wazarat, further integrating the town into the broader regional context.

Its strategic significance made it a frequent target for Pakistan- sponsored forces. On 24 December 1947, Jhangar fell under their control, and the Indian army, under Brigadier Usman, launched a counteroffensive to reclaim the lost territory. Despite fierce resistance, Brigadier Usman and his troops valiantly fought to liberate Jhangar. Tragically Brigadier Usman was martyred during the operation.

A grand mela (fair) is held annually at an event called Usman Smarak to honour the soldiers who sacrificed their lives. This is a platform for the locals to come and pay their tribute.

It may be recalled that Brigadier Usman supported 158 orphaned children found abandoned in Naushera from his limited supplies. Later, these children were incorporated into the famous ‘Balak Sena’ (Children of the Army) where they served as messengers and carriers of supplies, supporting the forces during combat.

Two veterans, Baldev Singh and Basant Singh, who fought under Brigadier Usman in Naushera during a Pakistani attack, were honoured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he visited the area in 2021. Basant Singh, now nearly ninety and a resident of Lam village in Naushera block, recalls how Brigadier Usman established the Balak Sena.

We were in our childhood when Brigadier Usman came to Naushera. Nearly twenty of us were actively helping the Indian army under Brigadier Usman during the conflicts with Pakistani forces in the sector. Most of the boys were aged between twelve and fifteen years. Seeing our commitment and hard work, Brigadier Usman said he would keep the boys with him as they were doing a good job. Our jobs included showing the army the paths, the connecting kutcha roads to the conflict areas, and helping them negotiate the tricky terrain. Whenever the army faced any trouble, we were there to extend a helping hand. We helped them dig the bunkers, identify enemy locations and tell them how to reach the location of enemies during day and night.

Basant Singh adds that most members of the Balak Sena have not survived. ‘Baldev Singh and I are still alive. I am ninety years old. I go to Brigadier Usman’s memorial at Jhangar at the invitation of the Indian army every year when his Martyrdom Day is observed.’ When asked about Brigadier Usman’s treatment of local residents and Balak Sena members, he becomes emotional, ‘He was a very gentle soul. He always engaged in noble works. He was very good, a very helpful human being.’

The spirit of sacrifice and loyalty instilled in the young Basant stood him in good stead. Basant Singh continued to work for the Indian army even after Brigadier Usman’s death. ‘I never left Naushera. I did not go to any other place, even though I did not get any big benefit. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to Naushera, I was called. I met him. A film was also made in which I was interviewed. That is it.’

Basant Singh’s granddaughter, Jassimrat Kaur, explains that her grandfather had six sons, two of whom—her father, Swarn Singh, and her uncle, Talwant Singh—joined the Indian army but later died. The family’s pucca house in Lam is frequently visited by locals. Basant Singh, who maintains a long beard and wears a turban, still recounts the events of Naushera–Jhangar from eight decades earlier.

Havaldar Baldev Singh (Retd), the only other surviving regular from the Balak Sena, recalls how the Indian army led by Brigadier Usman in Naushera in 1947 enlisted locals when it was short of men. Baldev Singh was fourteen when he, along with thirteen-year-old Basant Singh, joined the Indian forces during an attack on border villages at Naushera in September 1947. Basant’s father, Sardar Ram Singh, a Jathedar, was killed resisting Pakistani invaders at Qila Darhal. A 12-foot-high marble and granite memorial on a 4-foot-high platform at Qila Darhal stands as a proud memory of the locals’ sacrifice at Shaheedgarh; it may be the only memorial dedicated to civilians. ‘The invaders assisted by the Pakistani forces outnumbered us but we fought strongly. Basant Singh stayed back in Naushera while I continued working with the Indian army and took part in the battles at Kotli and Jhangar. Brigadier Usman had assured me that I will get the facilities that a regular army man gets when I become a regular,’ says Baldev Singh.

A resident of Noniyal village in Naushera, Baldev Singh further states, ‘The members of the Balak Sena were given the affection of a father and a mother by Brigadier Usman and his officers. We fought shoulder to shoulder with the Indian army. In fact, the local residents joined the forces in repulsing the Pakistani attack after it was felt that there was a deficiency of forces [almost 45 per cent less than what was required] and it was open for the villagers to volunteer to join the forces.’

He continues on a wistful note,
While many assisted the Indian army in fighting the Pakistani assault without formally joining the army, seventeen youngsters joined the Balak Sena. Of these five stayed back in Naushera after the fight and six others withdrew after the battle at Jhangar and stayed back in their villages. Six boys, including me, continued with the Indian army. I took part in the battle at Jhangar and then I was sent with 258 Brigade at Akhnoor. After Brigadier Usman was martyred, I was sent to places like Ramgarh in Ranchi [in the 50th Brigade] and Jabalpur but it was the memory of Naushera and Jhangar which dominated our sentiments. I was later enrolled in the Corps of Signals.

Baldev Singh first joined the Parachute Brigade led by Brigadier Usman on 27 September 1947 and went on to build a successful career with the Indian army.

This place is not about Brigadier Usman alone. There is deep regard for Naik Jadunath Singh, who sacrificed his life in service of the nation on 6 February 1948. Every year Naushera Day is celebrated at the Naik Jadunath war memorial in Naushera to commemorate the victory in the war and to remember Naik Jadunath Singh. He was later awarded the highest military award, the Paramvir Chakra. There is also a war memorial at Seri in Naushera at the spot where Lieutenant Colonel I.J.S. Butalia was killed on 22 February 1948. Butalia, a member of the Dogra regiment and the first commander of 4 Dogra battalion, was awarded the Mahavir Chakra posthumously. At the Usman Stadium in Naushera, medical and eye survey camps for locals are organized. Such activities, along with the examples set by Basant and Baldev Singh, keep the memory of the past alive. Nearby, the Khori Baba shrine, named after a Sufi who refused to be intimidated by Pakistani forces, stands as a model of spiritualism and religious harmony; both the dargah and the Shiv Mandir coexist. ‘People from far-off places come and pay their regards here.’

While the spirit of remembrance is strong, the physical infrastructure connecting Naushera to Jhangar needs improvement. The road would benefit from enhancements to improve accessibility and travel. Moreover, the LoC lies about 28 kilometres from Naushera town, underscoring the region’s proximity to ongoing conflict. In 2016 the government considered opening a Naushera– Mirpur cross–LoC point; however, in October 2024 the army had to intervene to foil a major infiltration bid along the LoC in the Naushera sector. With India–Pakistan relations at a deep freeze, many such projects remain on hold.

**********

Ziya Us Salam and Anand Mishra, The Lion of Naushera,‎ Bloomsbury India, 2025. Pb. Pp. 152

Within weeks of India gaining independence, Kashmir resembled a battlefield because of Pakistan's repeated incursions to capture the Muslim-dominated princely state. Towering among the soldiers who fought with grit and gumption to foil Pakistan's designs was Brigadier Mohammed Usman, who chose to remain in pluralist India. Sadly, he lost his life twelve days shy of his thirty-sixth birthday, fighting Pakistani forces. The newly born nation saluted the fearless warrior conferring on him the sobriquet 'the Lion of Naushera' for his bravery.

While some heroes have been duly and gratefully feted, others have not always got their due. The Lion of Naushera is an attempt to clear some of the debts we owe to Brigadier Usman. Not only does it tell the story of the brave soldier, it also presents a multifaceted narrative of India - of how people of all faiths, castes and regions fought for the independence of the country and protected its borders.

Ziya Us Salam is an eminent journalist and a widely published author. A literary and social commentator, Salam has examined critical subjects through his books Women in Masjid: A Quest for Justice (Bloomsbury 2019), Nikah Halala: Sleeping with a Stranger (Bloomsbury 2020) and Being Muslim in Hindu India: A Critical View (HarperCollins 2024). His other books include Of Saffron Flags and Skullcaps: Hindutva, Muslim Identity and the Idea of India (Sage 2018), which deals with challenges to the idea of India, and Lynch Files: The Forgotten Saga of Victims of Hate Crime (Sage 2019), which focuses on the victims of hate and violence.

Anand Mishra is currently a political editor. As a senior journalist who has travelled across north India to cover key political developments and elections, tracking the evolution of political parties across the spectrum — left, right and centre — in the national capital and the states in the Hindi speaking belt.

Hailing from Gaya in Bihar, Mishra is an English literature graduate. His poems have been published in national and international publications.