✦ Celebrity stories, facts and career updates. Explore F4U now →

Home › Biography › Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya

Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya photo for featured biography, wiki and celebrities profileFeatured Biography

Image source: StarsUnfolded

Celebrities

Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 29, 2026 • 4 min read

Request CorrectionClaim Profile

Quick Info

Date of birth5 May 1937

Age61 Years (at time of death)

BirthplaceSisana village, Sonipat district, Punjab (now Haryana)

ProfessionArmy Personnel

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseDhano Devi

FamilyFather - Chaudhary Hira Singh; Mother - Mathuri Devi; Three sons

Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya Biography

Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya was an Indian Army officer best known for his leadership during the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. A Param Ve

Early life and background
Hoshiar Singh Dahiya was born on 5 May 1937 in Sisana village in the Sonipat district, then part of Punjab and now in Haryana. He completed his schooling at Jat Heroes Memorial High School in Rohtak and went on to study at Jat College, Rohtak. After finishing matriculation and his first year of graduate studies he joined the army as a jawan. His parents were Chaudhary Hira Singh and Mathuri Devi.

Military career
Dahiya began his military service as a sepoy in the 2nd Battalion of the Jat Regiment. He was later selected for the Army Cadet College at the Indian Military Academy and was commissioned on 30 June 1963 as a Second Lieutenant. His service number was IC-14608.

He was posted to the 3rd Battalion of the Grenadiers and served at various locations, including deployment to the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) along the Chinese frontier. He saw action in the 1965 India-Pakistan War, operating in the western sector. During that conflict he undertook a reconnaissance mission that gathered crucial information about enemy dispositions, an action that earned him a mention in dispatches.

By the time of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War he had risen to the rank of Major and was commanding Charlie Company of the 3rd Grenadiers. During the Battle of Basantar, his company was tasked with capturing and holding the position at Jarpal in the Shakargarh sector. The position was heavily defended and subjected to multiple counterattacks supported by armour and artillery.

Major Dahiya led his men in close-quarter combat to silence enemy machine-gun posts and secure the captured ground. Despite being wounded by artillery, he continued to move between trenches, rallying and organizing his troops. On one occasion when a medium machine-gun crew was incapacitated, he personally took over the weapon to maintain effective defensive fire. The actions of Charlie Company under his command inflicted heavy casualties on the attacking formations and resulted in numerous prisoners of war being taken.

For his conduct during this operation, Hoshiar Singh Dahiya was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration for valour. He continued to serve in the army until his retirement with the rank of Colonel. His recorded service years span from 30 June 1963 until May 1988. Over his career he progressed through the ranks from Second Lieutenant to Lieutenant, Captain, Substantive Major, Lieutenant Colonel, and finally Colonel at retirement. He also served as a commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion of the Grenadiers and had periods as an instructor at the Indian Military Academy. As a company commander at IMA, the unit he led achieved notable success in inter-company competitions.

Personal life
Hoshiar Singh Dahiya married Dhano Devi and the couple had three sons. He was known among comrades by the nickname Hoshiare and was noted for his sporting ability, having been selected to play volleyball for the state of Punjab and representing his unit in the game. He was also known for operating in combat without a helmet, a detail remembered by those who served with him.

Public profile
Dahiya's wartime leadership and Param Vir Chakra recognition made him a respected figure in military circles. Institutions and places have been named in his memory, including a gymnasium at the Indian Military Academy and a road in Jaipur that was renamed to honour the PVC recipient. Senior public figures have paid respects to his family, reflecting continued recognition of his service.

Death and legacy
Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya died on 6 December 1998 from a cardiac arrest at the age of 61. His role in the Battle of Basantar and the award of the Param Vir Chakra remain central to his legacy. His story is recorded in military histories and in accounts that recount the actions of his company during the 1971 conflict.

Latest updates
There are no further career developments beyond his retirement in May 1988 and his passing in 1998 noted in the available material.

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 Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

Accuracy

Request a Correction

Tell us what needs to be updated and share a reliable source so the editorial team can review it.

Ownership

Claim This Profile

If this profile is about you or your client, send your contact details and verification context.

✦

Career Highlights

  1. Awarded the Param Vir Chakra for leadership during the Battle of Basantar (1971)
  2. Commissioned from Army Cadet College, Indian Military Academy on 30 June 1963
  3. Served as Company Commander of Charlie Company, 3rd Grenadiers during 1971 war
  4. Served as Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion of the Grenadiers
  5. Instructor and company commander at the Indian Military Academy
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

?

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya born?

Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya was born on 5 May 1937.

What is Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya known for?

Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya is known for army Personnel.

What is Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya’s marital status?

Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya's marital status is listed as Married.

Who is Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya married to?

Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya is publicly listed as married to Dhano Devi.