In the Indian Army, when the weather gets rough, the troops get ready—not just with raincoats and boots but with a dose of tradition passed down from the British era. Picture this: cold winds, a battalion in formation, and a station commander doling out 60 ml of rum to every soldier and even the military mules—because even mules need a little warmth in their bellies during inclement weather.
This old British tradition, formalized during their tenure in India, was a cold-weather reward for troops. The diverse regiments of the British Indian Army had their own drinking cultures, dating back to times long before the Brits decided to put a formal stamp on the ‘rum issue’ system. And if there’s one thing the British can be credited for, it’s establishing a disciplined approach to drinking in the military.
So, why the rum ritual? Well, soldiers, like anyone else, need a bit of relaxation and entertainment. But, of course, military discipline demands control. No one wants a tipsy soldier handling a weapon with live ammunition—that’s a party foul of epic proportions!
The tradition lives on, albeit with a few modifications. Instead of physically doling out the rum on cold days, troops now receive a monthly rum allowance, tailored to the severity of the inclement weather. Those teetotalers not partaking in the alcoholic festivities are awarded with toffees and extra sugar—a quirky twist to an age-old tradition.
Interestingly, rum isn’t just a favorite in the Indian Army; the Navy has a soft spot for it too. Sir Winston Churchill once encapsulated the naval spirit with his famous quote, “What is Royal Navy, They are rum, buggery, and the lash.” It seems that across military branches, a peg of rum carries the weight of tradition, warming hearts and bellies in equal measure. Even the Air Force is not far behind in their liking of Rum. After their stressful flying duty, I have seen many senior Indian Air Force officers enjoying their tot of Rum in the evening at their clubs. So, the next time you find yourself in an Indian Army regiment during a chilly day, rest assured, tradition and a bit of rum are in the air—or at least in the officers’ watchful eyes and the peg measures of the rum issue register!
Yesterday on a very severe winter evening, I reminisced the Rum tradition, and as a retired defense veteran (38 years of service in the Indian Army), I just sanctioned to myself a peg of 60 ml of Old Monk Rum on account of inclement weather and drank it all.
Guchi.
Improve Your Life 