XI Corps was raised to take command of the formations in the Punjab in 1950[4] as India reorganised its post-1947 army to meet the new threat of Pakistan.[5] It was raised on March 1, 1950 at Ambala under the command of Lieutenant General Kalwant Singh.[6] The corps headquarters was relocated to Jalandhar in July 1951.[2]
The Corps formation sign consists of the 'red-white-red background' depicting a corps of the Indian Army overlaid by a Vajra, the powerful thunderbolt weapon of Lord Indra, the symbol of sacrifice of the great sage Dadhichi, who voluntarily sacrificed his body to make the fiercest weapon from his thighbone.[6]
^Originally a Signals officer, General Nayar, after persistent pestering of his bosses, managed a transfer to his desired regiment — the Maratha Light Infantry (MLI), securing a billet with 2 Para (3rd battalion, MLI, converted to paratroop infantry).[28]
.png){kind=small}
