The battle or war-cry is the most powerful motivating factor that enables troops to overcome their own fears, if any, and to subdue the enemy during war. As assaulting troops advance for the final charge, soldiers let out a blood - curdling battle-cry as per their regimental customs and language. The cry pierces the air and rises above the din of battle like explosion of shells and firing of automatic weapons. Enemy soldiers manning defensive posts or trenches loose their nerves when they hear such war-cries. Some even tend to flee for life.

Earlier, every leader had his own conch shell which he blew as a battle- cry at least thrice- at the commencement of the battle, during the actual fighting and after a decisive victory. This was done to invoke the blessing of deity or to offer homage and thanks. There were also the blowing of horns, govisanika, which represented the trumpets of war. The use of conch shell became restricted only to temple services and other rites and ceremonies. The European armies, however, during an assault continued with the war trumpets and vocal regimental cries.

Certain tribes in India worshipped Goddess Durga for invoking her blessing for success in war. It was their belief that the Goddess would march in front of their army, leading them to ultimate victory. Therefore, the belief and practice of invoking the blessings of the deity continued through the ages. Even now, when men go for the final assault with or without the bayonet, lance, ‘khukhri’, rifle, carbine or other small arms firing, they give out a battle-cry.

The battle-cry not only boosts the morale of men but also helps to create a psychological fear in the enemy. It is really amazing how a battle-cry motivates men to go out and face any danger, even at the risk of life. They cross unsurmountable obstacles and face showers of bullets, grenades and shells, and finally eliminate enemy.

In the Battle of Keren in 1941, the hills of East Africa resounded with the battle-cry of ‘Raja Ram Chander Ki Jai’ when Rajputana Rifles went into action to capture their objective. In this action, Sub Richpal Ram made the supreme sacrifice for his regiment. In the same theatre, when ‘Har Har Mahadeo’ shouting Marathas tried in vain to capture the objective, Sub Sriang Lavanad rose to the occasion and exhorted his men to fight shouting ‘Bol Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jai’. He rushed towards the objective with his men who appeared fully motivated by the battle-cry and captured the objective. Since then, the Marathas adopted this battle-cry. Similarly, in 1948 the Ist Patiala Infantry Battalion, while evicting Pakistani Gilgit Scouts from snow-covered Zojila heights, succeeded in unnerving the enemy with "Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ki Fateh".

The 19 Punjab, which comprised Dogra troops, unnerved the enemy and evicted the enemy from Bedori and Haji Pir in 1965 with "Durga Mata Ki Jai". The Sikh troops of some units use "Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal". This battle-cry has been inherited by Sikh soldiers from the Khalsa army of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of Sikhs. It signifies an eternal faith in God and it prompts men to perform great acts of valour in battle.

Madras battalions use "Veer Madrasi Adi Kollu Adi Kollu" which means ‘brave madrassi, kill, hit and kill’ while the Grenadiers use "Servada Shaktishali", (everywhere brave and strong). The Rajputs cry out "Sarvatra Vijay (victory everywhere), while the Jats say "Jat Balwan, Jai Bhagwan" (brave Jat, victory to God). The Dogras cry out "Jwala Mai Ki Jai" (victory to Goddess Jwala). The legendary Gorkhas cry out the blood-curdling "Ayo Gorkhali" (Gorkhas are coming).

Time and again a battle-cry has inspired fatigued and even demoralised soldiers to fight gallantly. Many regiments have their men inspired by battle-cries at critical moments to perform courageously.