The first Subedar Major of 38 Dogras retired on 1 April 1909 after 33½ years service. He had held the post of SM from 2 February 1891. He belonged to the Katoch clan and claimed aristocratic lineage. On 8 May 1902, Bidhi Chand was promoted to First Class of the Order of British India with the title of Sardar Bahadur. In the same year, he led a detachment of two Havildars, two Naiks, one bugler, and twenty sepoys to the Coronation of HM King Edward the Seventh. By July 1906, this extraordinary Indian officer had been appointed to be an ADC (unseconded) to His Excellency The Commander-in-Chief of India.
On 20 October 1907, on completion of 32 years of service, this highly decorated Indian officer was presented with a suitably inscribed gold watch and chain by the British officers as a token of their personal esteem and friendship – a unique event in itself. Finally, on his retirement in 1909, the honorary rank of Captain was conferred upon him. But this was not the end of the honours bestowed upon Bidhi Chand. Though on the retired list, he was invited to attend the Delhi Durbar. The British valued his outstanding virtues so much that a silver statuette of Bidhi Chand was made as a memento of this great soldier and is still retained by 2 Dogra.
With founding fathers of the like of Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Bidhi Chand, Sardar Bahadur, ADC, is there any wonder that the Dogra Regiment has gained the awesome reputation for professionalism, courage and upright behaviour that it has!!
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