Captain Beli Ram Sardar Bahadur

Interesting fact on his name: He was named Beli Ram which is a very non Rajputi name. The new born children were not surviving in the Rajput Guleria families of Darkati. Hence as a superstition, it was suggest to name him like a Brahmin name so that any curse placed on the Rajput families might not impact the child. The fact that he lived upto an age of 68-70, which was considered a good age as during that time despite fighting multiple wars, name might have proved lucky for him.

Education:  Matriculation (10th) most probably from the Govt High School Jawali.

Occupation: Served in 53 Sikh (Frontier Force) Regiment. Enlisted in 18 March 1886 and Retired in 1914. Detailed Service/War record below.

1891: in Miranzai (Medal with Clasp)
3rd November 1894: Action at wana
1894-95: Waziristan
16/11/1896: Promoted Jamedar
25/10/1897: Promoted Subedar
1897 to 99: Tochi Samana, and Kurram valley
1897 to 98: Tirah
22/04/1898: No: 430 to the III Class of the Order of Merit for his conspicuous gallantry during the final assault on Dargai heights on the 20th October 1897.
1901 to 1902: Action at Durgai (Severly wounded); Indian Order of Merit (with three clasps)
1902: Waziri Darwsh Khel (clasp)
1908: Zaka Khel & Mohmand (Medal & Clasp)
10/06/1910: Promoted Subedar Major
1912: King George’s Durbar Medal (Order of British India 1st class)”
16/06/1914: Promoted Captain (honorary)

Gallantry Award: Indian Order of Merit (with three clasps) for attack on Dargai heights on 20 Oct 1897. he was severely wounded in the same but survived. Indians were not eligible for Victoria Cross till 1911 and hence IOM was the highest gallantry award they were eligible for.

Stature in the village: He was referred to in the village Darkati as “Sardar” (chieftain). It is in reference to him that the family is still referred to as the “Sardars”.

Interesting Incident: Once when he was coming on leave from the army. He was travelling at  night from Pathankot to Darkati in a Tonga. The Tonga driver started off at good speed from Pathankot and kept up the pace till “Raja ka Bagh” (a place on the way) and after that slowed down his speed considerably and started whistling loudly. In response to his call a group of thugs emerged from the neighboring jungle, most probably unarmed. They came and demanded Capt Beli Ram to part with the valuables and money he was carrying. Since he was carrying fire arm with him, Capt. fired and the thugs immediately melted into the jungle. Thereafter Capt ordered the Tonga driver to drive at full pace to Jawali otherwise he would be the victim of the next shot. The Tonga driver understood the threat and never stopped on the way till the Tonga was safely in Darkati.