A portrait of Lt. Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore; Image Source: Mythical India 

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Tarapore's family history sings of heroism and bravery. His grandfather, Ratanjiba, served in the army of Chatrapati Shivaji.  His military prowess made him the leader of 100 villages. Tarapore was one of the villages, and later the name becomes the family title.

Tarapore completed his matriculation in Sardar Dastur Boys Boarding School, Pune. Even though he was not exceptionally good in academics, he excelled in sports. He was a gifted sportsperson and indulged in swimming, cricket, tennis, athletics and boxing. After completing his matrix, he joined the Officers’ Training School at Golconda. In 1942, he was commissioned into the 7th Hyderabad infantry. His ardent wish then became to join the armoured regiment.

The story behind Tarapore's journey to the armoured regiment is one of courage and bravery. It was just another day of rigorous training and learning which fulfilled his wish. During the routine, one of the novice sepoys failed to lob the grenade correctly in a state of panic. It resulted in the grenade flying toward the throwing area. Without a second thought, Tarapore jumped into the scene and directed the grenade toward a safer place.  In the process, he injured his left hand and chest. Witnessing his bravery first-hand, Major General EI-Edroos, the Commander-in-Chief of the State Forces, granted his wish.

Another incident from his childhood testifies to his valour. He once saved his elder sister from a cow that went on a rampage. He had jumped head-first into the scene without any hesitation. A trait that he holds true until his last breath.

> A lesser-known fact about Tarapore would be his contribution to the Second World War. He and his unit were posted to the Middle East. He was amongst a few lucky soldiers who made it alive after the devastating war.

On the merger of Hyderabad into the Indian Union in 1951, Tarapore was commissioned into the Poona Horse regiment. After his training course, he was promoted to the post of Major in 1958 and a Lieutenant-Colonel in 1965.

The year 1965 witnessed a series of skirmishes on the Indo-Pak border. No amount of negotiations could redeem the situation. Pakistan, at this point, was tempted to provoke India somehow. Through operations of *Gibraltar* and *Grand Slam*, Pakistani soldiers tried to infiltrate certain regions of Kashmir but failed to succeed. The last straw for India was when the Pakistani troops forcefully crossed the Radcliffe Line. The situation then shaped into an official war in 1965.

The Indian army was responsible for securing Chawinda and Phillora in the Sialkot sector. Under the leadership of Tarapore, 17 Horse strategically attacked Phillora from the rear. An intense battle ensued, which resulted in the Pakistani troops retreating from Phillora. Tarapore's regiment successfully captured Phillora on 11th September 1965.

In an injured state, Tarapore continued to plan the next line of action to secure, Wazirali, Jasoran and Butur-Dograndi. Tarapore fought relentlessly to secure all posts. While trying to secure Jasoran, his tank was attacked several times, but he persisted with his conviction and determination.

> Tarapore and his regiment destroyed sixty Pakistani tanks as compared to nine Indian tanks that were destroyed.

It was during the war that an enemy shell engulfed Tarapore's tank into flames. Tarapore succumbed to a glorious death on the battlefield. It was his indomitable spirit, leadership, and supreme sacrifice that won him the Param Vir Chakra.

> His legacy was so widespread that even the Pakistani tanks held their fire during the cremation of his body on the battlefield.

He was one of the bravest souls of the Indian army who managed to leave his footprints on the golden pages of history. His sacrifice for the motherland is immortalised into the Indian memory.

Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore, popularly known as Adi, was one of the bravest soldiers who fought to protect our motherland till his very last breath