Beating Retreat Ceremony: Background, Significance, Order, and Key Facts of the Ceremony

The Beating Retreat Ceremony is a military ceremony, performed for the first time in India in the 1950s. Now, a beating retreat ceremony is conducted every year on 29th January at the Vijay Chowk to mark the formal conclusion of the Republic Day celebrations. The beating retreat ceremony is organized and held by the Indian Army, with the President of India as a special guest.

This is an important article from the perspective of upcoming UPSC IAS Exams, and candidates should try to understand the origin, features, agenda & importance related to the Beating Retreat Ceremony. This topic is important for the UPSC prelim exam as well as GS paper 1 (Modern Indian History from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues) of the Mains exam.

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What is Beating Retreat Ceremony?

The Beating Retreat Ceremony is held on the 29th of January every year, marking the end of the Republic Day Celebration in our Country. The first Beating Retreat Ceremony was held in England in the 17th century. It was originally named “Watch Setting”. Earlier, the Beating Retreat Ceremony was used to recall nearby patrolling units to their castle. It was usually initiated during the evening, and that too after the sunset by the firing of a single round from the evening gun. Now, the Beating Retreat Ceremonies consist of firing a cannon, marching off the military bands, and decorative presentations.

Currently, most of the Armed forces in the “Commonwealth countries” perform some ceremonial form of retreat.

Background of the Beating Retreat Ceremony

The Beating Retreat Ceremony was first started in the 1950s in India when Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited India for the first time after India became Independent from British Colonial rule. The idea of the Beating Retreat Ceremony was conceived by Major G.A. Roberts, who was an officer in the Grenadiers Regiment, which is an infantry regiment in the Indian Army.

Major G.A. Roberts conceived this idea after he was directed by Jawaharlal Nehru, the First Prime Minister of India, in order to mark the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillips with a creative and spectacular event.

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Order of the Beating Retreat Ceremony

The beating retreat ceremony begins with the 3 services' massed bands marching in sync to popular marching anthems like Qadam Qadam Badaye ja, Colonel Bogey March, and Sons of the Brave, which is spectacular to watch. Bands from the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy follow this. Then, the classic Scottish and Indian tunes such as Neer’s Sagar Samrat, Gurkha Brigade, and Chaandni are played by the Indian Army on pipes and drums.

Pipe bands also perform compound marches and the formation of numbers. Each of the 5 or 6 band contingents marches forward & takes place near the President’s chair. Then, the Drummer’s Call is a solo performance by drummers, which are from the Indian Army’s pipe bands.

The buglers now play the sunset bugle call, and all the flags are slowly lowered down. Then, the master of the band marches toward the President to seek his permission to remove the bands and inform him that the closing ceremony has ended.  

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Beating Retreat Ceremony 2024

The Beating Retreat Ceremony for 2024 was held on January 29th at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi. This marked the official end of the Republic Day celebrations. It is a spectacular event showcasing the talent and discipline of the Indian Armed Forces.

Here are some of the highlights of the ceremony:

• Bands from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Central Armed Police Forces performed synchronized marches and intricate formations.
• The highlight of the ceremony was the synchronized display by drummers from the armed forces, creating a captivating rhythm and visual spectacle.
• Folk dance troupes from different regions of India added a touch of cultural diversity to the ceremony.
• The ceremony culminated in a mesmerizing display of fireworks, illuminating the night sky. 

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Kay Facts About the Beating Retreat Ceremony 

The facts about Beating Retreat Ceremony can be stated below:

• The Republic Day of India (26th January) celebrations officially come to an end with the Beating Retreat Ceremony.
• The Beating Retreat Ceremony is held on the third day after Republic Day, i.e., on 29th January every year.
•  The ceremony is organized by Section D in the Ministry of Defence, India.
• The ceremony takes place in Raisina Hills (It is an area in New Delhi that has the most important buildings of the Government of India, including Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of the President of India.
• The military ceremony is performed by the pipe band of the Indian Army, massed bands of IAF(Indian Air Force), and Indian Navy, ie., the three forces of India.
• Even the bands of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Delhi Police performed in the Beating Retreat Ceremony in 2016.

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Conclusion

The Beating Retreat Ceremony held every year reminds us of its historical significance and shows the significance of coordination of India’s three National Forces, i.e., Indian Army, Indian Navy & Indian Air Force, and also strengthens the need for Theatre Command. This year, giving a boost to indigenously made drones has given a push toward Make In India in the defense sector.

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