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Hanut Singh Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 4, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth6 July 1933

Age81 Years (at the Time Of Death)

BirthplaceJasol, Rajasthan

ProfessionArmy Officer (Ex.)

NationalityIndian

Marital statusUnmarried

FamilyFather - Lieutenant Colonel Arjun Singh; Mother - Name not known; Rathore Rajput family

Hanut Singh Biography

Lieutenant General Hanut Singh was a decorated Indian Army officer best known for commanding the Poona Horse during the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 Indo

Early life and background
Hanut Singh was born on 6 July 1933 in Jasol, Rajasthan, into a family of Rathore Rajputs. His father, Lieutenant Colonel Arjun Singh, served in the Jodhpur Lancers and later commanded the Kacchawa Horse regiment. Hanut received his early schooling at Colonel Brown Cambridge School in Dehradun and joined the Joint Services Wing of the Indian Military Academy in 1949, a formation that later evolved into the National Defence Academy.

Military career
Hanut Singh was commissioned into the 17 Horse, also known as the Poona Horse, on 28 December 1952. Over a long career in the Indian Army he rose through the ranks to become a lieutenant general. His years of service included active involvement in key moments on the western front, most notably the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

Role in the 1971 war
As commanding officer of 17 Horse in the Shakargarh sector, then-Lieutenant Colonel Hanut Singh led his regiment during the Battle of Basantar. His unit was inducted into the Basantar River bridgehead on 16 December 1971 and held exposed positions ahead of the infantry as Pakistani forces launched multiple armoured counterattacks on 16 and 17 December. Moving between threatened sectors under heavy artillery and tank fire, he maintained his presence among the troops and inspired steadfast resistance. For his leadership and personal courage during these operations he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.

Later service and promotions
After 1971, Hanut Singh continued to advance in the Army. He was promoted to the rank of major general in April 1983 and attained the rank of lieutenant general in December 1985. In senior appointments he commanded II Corps, including during the large-scale exercises and heightened tensions of Operation Brasstacks in the mid-1980s.

Personality and beliefs
Hanut Singh was widely respected within his regiment and beyond for his commitment to duty and personal discipline. He remained a lifelong bachelor, a personal choice he felt allowed an officer to devote himself fully to service. Outside his military duties he was known for a deep interest in spiritual reading and meditation. He followed the teachings of the God-man Shivabalayogi and adopted a regular meditation practice after visiting the ashram.

Public profile
His conduct and leadership in 1971 earned admiration locally and, according to accounts from the conflict, respect from opposing soldiers as well. He was given the sobriquet Fakhr-e-Hind by Pakistani observers in recognition of his wartime conduct. Over his career he received high military honours, including the Maha Vir Chakra and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal.

Retirement and later life
Hanut Singh retired from the Indian Army on 31 July 1991. He settled in Dehradun, where he spent much of his time reading and meditating. He died in Dehradun on 10 April 2015 at the age of 81; accounts indicate he passed away while meditating. His life is remembered for a blend of battlefield leadership and personal spirituality.

Latest updates
No professional updates exist beyond his retirement in 1991 and his death in 2015. His legacy continues in accounts of the Poona Horse and histories of the 1971 war.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Hanut Singh, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded
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Recent Work

Commanding 17 Horse during the Battle of Basantar

Led the Poona Horse regiment in the Shakargarh sector during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971; awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his leadership.

1971
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Career Highlights

  1. Commissioned into 17 Horse (Poona Horse) on 28 December 1952
  2. Commanded 17 Horse in the Battle of Basantar, Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
  3. Awarded the Maha Vir Chakra
  4. Promoted to Major General in April 1983 and Lieutenant General in December 1985
  5. Commanded II Corps during Operation Brasstacks
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Hanut Singh born?

6 July 1933

What is Hanut Singh known for?

Army Officer (Ex.)

What is Hanut Singh’s marital status?

Unmarried