Territorial Army

Formation of citizens’ armed forces, which provide, to the youth engaged in civilian professions, opportunities and facilities for military training and thereby constitute a Reserve of trained manpower for ‘effective National defence in the event of an emergency’ is the direct result of the changed nature and character of modern war. Modern warfare (termed in military terminology as the fourth generation warfare) has not only greatly extended the area of conflict and the impact of fighting but it has completely wiped out the traditional difference between the ‘actual fighting lines and civilian population in the rear’. entire areas and entire people have become the objective of warfare today. Since no country can afford to maintain regular armed forces, large enough to effectively meet the changes posed by modern warfare, the answer has been the formation of citizens’ Armed forces, described variously as second line of defence, part-time Auxiliaries, territorial armies, citizen armies, auxiliary forces, militias, Reserve forces, National guards, etc. In India, The territorial Army constitutes a vital component of Indian Army which provides to the working youth, military training to develop their personality, built up character and create a Reserve of trained manpower, necessary for the rapid expansion of regular Army in the event of an emergency.