In a significant move to decolonize its institutional landscape, the Indian Army has renamed 246 roads, buildings, and facilities across its various establishments. This extensive renaming exercise aims to shed the legacy of the colonial era and honor the nation's war heroes, gallantry awardees, and distinguished military leaders. The initiative reflects a broader national sentiment to embrace and reinforce an identity rooted in India's own military history, traditions, and ethos.
The renaming exercise, which is part of a continuing effort, covers a wide array of infrastructure. This includes 124 roads, 77 residential colonies, 27 buildings and military facilities, and 18 other facilities such as parks, training areas, sports grounds, gates, and helipads. The revised nomenclature seeks to instill a sense of pride and recognize the contributions of those who have displayed exceptional courage, sacrifice, and leadership.
Several notable changes have already been implemented across various cantonments and military stations. In Delhi Cantonment, Kirby Place (Officers Accommodation) has been renamed Kenuguruse Vihar, honoring Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse, a Maha Vir Chakra recipient from the Kargil War of 1999, while Mall Road is now known as Arun Khetrapal Marg, after Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal, a Param Vir Chakra awardee from the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. Other roads in the Delhi Cantt area to be renamed are Tigris Road (as Hoshiar Singh Marg), Cassel Road (Manekshaw Marg), Maude Road (DCB Road) as the extension of Thimayya Marg, Lorry Road (Ramawamy Parmeshwaran Marg), Gymnasium Road (Padmapani Acharya Marg), Kotwali Road (Capt Anuj Nayyar Road) and Probyn Road Timarpur (Shaitan Singh Marg). Furthermore, Baird Place has been renamed Anuj Nayaar Vihar, Kirby Place as Kenuguruse Vihar, Tubrak Link as Gurdiyal Vihar, Kingsway Camp (Timarpur) as Joginder Singh Vihar, Nicholson Line as Digendra Kumar Vihar, Khyber Line (behind MC) as Abdul Hamid Vihar, Tigris Maude Line as Jadunath Vihar and Poultry Farm as Ram Chander Vihar.
In Ambala Cantonment, Patterson Road Quarters has been renamed Dhan Singh Thapa Enclave, commemorating Major Dhan Singh Thapa, a Param Vir Chakra recipient from the 1962 Sino-Indian War. Similarly, in Mathura Cantonment, the New Horn Line is now named Abdul Hamid Lines, after Abdul Hamid. Queens Line Road in Jaipur Cantonment will now be called Sundar Singh Marg. The New Birdwood Line in Bareilly Cantonment has been renamed Thimayya Colony, honoring General Kodandera Subayya Thimayya, a former Chief of Army Staff, and Malcolm Lines in Mhow Cantonment has been rechristened Piru Singh Lines, in memory of Company Havildar Major Piru Singh, a Param Vir Chakra awardee from the 1947-48 Jammu and Kashmir operations.
The Indian Military Academy in Dehradun has also seen changes, with Colins Block and Kingsway Block now known as Nubra Block and Kargil Block, respectively, referencing key battle sites in India’s military history. In Kolkata, Fort William has been renamed Vijay Durg. Additionally, the sports complex in Rangapahar Military Station has been renamed Laishram Jyotin Singh Sports Complex, after Major Laishram Jyotin Singh, an Ashok Chakra recipient, and Spear Lake Marg at Zakhama Military Station has been renamed Hangpan Dada Marg, in honor of Ashok Chakra recipient Havildar Hangpan Dada.
The proposal to rename colonial-era infrastructure was initially raised by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in 2021. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to move away from colonial legacies in public institutions. The Prime Minister advocated for the removal of outdated colonial-era practices and the promotion of indigenization in military procedures, customs, and symbols. This renaming is part of a broader strategy to instill national pride and commemorate the nation's heroes, ensuring that their legacy remains embedded in everyday military life.