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Balram Singh Mehta Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 28, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth16 April 1945

Age77 Years (as of 2022)

BirthplacePunjab Province, British India

ProfessionEx Army Personnel

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseJayshree

FamilySon - Brijraj Mehta; Daughter - Nandinii Mehta; Father served in British Indian Army; several siblings (many retired Army officers)

Balram Singh Mehta Biography

Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta is a retired Indian Army officer known for his leadership during the 1971 Garibpur tank battle. A career armoured corps servic

Early life and background

Balram Singh Mehta was born on 16 April 1945 in the Punjab Province of British India. He belongs to a Mohyal Brahmin family with roots in the Punjab region and spent his formative years in what is now India. His hometown is listed as Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh.

After finishing school, Mehta joined the National Defence Academy in January 1962 and proceeded to the Indian Military Academy in June 1965. Following completion of his training, he was commissioned into the Indian Army’s Armoured Corps on 15 June 1966.

Career

Mehta served in the Indian Army from 15 June 1966 until his voluntary retirement in 1998, rising to the rank of Brigadier. Early in his career he was posted to the 45th Cavalry Regiment and later raised the 13th Armoured Regiment on 21 December 1984 after being promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

He saw combat in the 1971 conflict in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). As a Captain and second-in-command of C Squadron, 45th Cavalry during the Battle of Garibpur on 20–21 November 1971, Mehta assumed command after his squadron commander was killed. Under his leadership the squadron defeated opposing armour, captured Garibpur, and sustained comparatively light tank losses. For his role in that engagement he was mentioned in despatches.

Later postings included participation in Operation Brasstacks with the 13th Armoured Regiment and attendance at the Higher Command course at the Army War College in Mhow in 1990. Mehta served in a range of formations including Strike Corps, Mountain Divisions, and Infantry Divisions, and was deputed to the Cabinet Secretariat during his service.

After retiring from the Army as a Brigadier in 1998, Mehta worked with the Government of Gujarat until 2001. While with the Gujarat government he organised an entrepreneurship course at the Entrepreneurship Development Institute in Ahmedabad aimed at officers retiring from Army service. He subsequently held vice-chancellor roles at several universities in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Mehta has been active with civic and charitable organisations. He has been associated with the Surat-based Jai Jawan Nagrik Samiti and served as Director General of an Iowa-based organisation named Maharishi Invincible Defence for Peace.

Public profile

Mehta documented his wartime experience in the book The Burning Chaffees: A Soldier’s First-Hand Account of the 1971 War, published in 2016. He wrote the book after being urged by regimental colleagues during a 2015 reunion and in connection with the 45th Cavalry’s golden jubilee celebrations. The account chronicles his participation in the Garibpur tank battle and related events.

In 2022 Mehta’s memoir reached a wider public audience when a film adaptation inspired by his book was announced. The war film Pippa, scheduled for release in December 2022, was reported to portray his experiences with actor Ishaan Khatter cast in the role based on Mehta.

Personal life

Mehta is married to Jayshree. The couple have two children: a son, Brijraj Mehta, and a daughter, Nandinii Mehta. His family includes several siblings, many of whom also served in the Indian Army, and one sister who is a dentist. His father served in the British Indian Army and later held a post as deputy controller of defence accounts.

Physical and miscellaneous details

Mehta’s height is listed at approximately 167 cm (5 feet 6 inches). He is described as having dark brown eyes and grey hair. He has been identified as an occasional drinker and smoker.

Latest updates

In November 2022 producers announced the release date for Pippa, a film based on Mehta’s book, bringing renewed attention to his account of the 1971 Battle of Garibpur. Mehta has publicly commented on the film and on the process by which his memoir was adapted for the screen.
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Recent Work

The Burning Chaffees: A Soldier’s First-Hand Account of the 1971 War

Memoir recounting Mehta’s experiences during the Battle of Garibpur and the 1971 war.

2016
Pippa (film)

2022 war film based on Mehta’s book, with Ishaan Khatter portraying the role based on Mehta.

2022
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Career Highlights

  1. Commissioned into the Indian Army Armoured Corps on 15 June 1966
  2. Mentioned in despatches for leadership during the Battle of Garibpur (1971)
  3. Raised the 13th Armoured Regiment on 21 December 1984
  4. Attended Higher Command course at Army War College, Mhow (1990)
  5. Worked with Government of Gujarat and organised an entrepreneurship course for retiring Army officers
  6. Served as Vice-Chancellor at universities in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Balram Singh Mehta born?

16 April 1945

What is Balram Singh Mehta known for?

Ex Army Personnel

What is Balram Singh Mehta’s marital status?

Married

Who is Balram Singh Mehta married to?

Jayshree