In a significant move reflecting the Indian Army’s effort to align its institutional identity with national values and military heritage, as many as 246 roads, buildings, residential complexes and facilities across cantonments have been renamed, replacing colonial-era titles with the names of Indian war heroes and gallantry award winners.
The sweeping renaming exercise marks a major step in shedding British-era military traditions and reinforcing the Army’s commitment to honour India’s own battlefield legends and military leaders. According to the Ministry of Defence, the initiative is aimed at aligning military spaces with India’s national ethos and the legacy of its armed forces.
Why the Army renamed 246 military facilities
Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth said the exercise honours the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers. “The initiative is part of the Indian Army’s efforts to align its institutional spaces with India’s military traditions and national ethos,” he said in a written response in Parliament.
“It gives pride of place to the nation’s gallantry awardees, battle heroes and distinguished military leaders, reflecting the core values of courage, sacrifice and leadership.”
Replacing colonial-era names with Indian war heroes
Many of the renamed facilities previously carried the names of British military officers from the colonial period, reflecting the historical legacy of the British Indian Army. Under the new initiative, these landmarks now commemorate Indian soldiers who played pivotal roles in major wars and military operations. Some notable examples include:
Mall Road in Delhi Cantonment → Lt Arun Khetrapal Marg
Proby Road → Major Shaitan Singh Marg
Patterson Road Quarters in Ambala → Dhan Singh Thapa Enclave
New Horn Lines in Mathura → Abdul Hamid Lines
Malcolm Lines in Mhow → Piru Singh Lines
All five soldiers honoured in these changes are Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awardees, recipients of India’s highest gallantry award.
Another symbolic change saw Kitchener House, named after British commander Field Marshal Horatio Herbert Kitchener, renamed Manekshaw House after Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, one of independent India’s most celebrated Army chiefs.
Where did most renaming took place?
The largest number of changes were carried out under the Central Command, headquartered in Lucknow. According to the Defence Ministry, as many as 74 facilities were renamed under the Central Command, followed by 67 in Western Command, 55 facilities in Southern Command, 33 facilities in Eastern Command, and 17 in South Western Command.
At the state level, Uttar Pradesh witnessed rechristening of 51 locations, Haryana saw 40 locations being renamed, 8 locations in Punjab, and 3 in Himachal Pradesh. Overall, the renaming covered 124 roads, 77 residential colonies, 27 office complexes and buildings, 17 other facilities, including training areas, parks, sports grounds, helipads and entry gates.
Push to remove colonial legacy
The Indian Army traces its lineage back several centuries, including the period when it operated as the British Indian Army under colonial rule. During that time, numerous regiments, cantonments and facilities were named after British commanders who raised or led military units.
However, in recent years the government has initiated efforts to phase out colonial symbols from institutions and public spaces.
At the Combined Commanders’ Conference in 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the armed forces to shed “outdated colonial customs and practices” that are no longer relevant in independent India. The renaming of military infrastructure is part of broader reforms within the armed forces aimed at reinforcing Indian identity.
In recent years, the military has also modified mess traditions and ceremonial practices, updated uniform elements, replaced colonial-era customs with indigenous traditions. These steps aim to ensure that the armed forces’ institutional culture reflects India’s own military heritage rather than colonial influences.