Beating retreat ceremony that denotes the end of the Republic Day celebrations is performed on the evening of January 29th every year. The ceremony, marks the return of defence forces who had arrived at the capital as part of Republic Day celebrations to their barracks.

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Beating Retreat marks a centuries old military tradition. In those times, troops ceased fighting at the sounding of retreat, sheathed their arms and withdrew from the battlefield, returning to their camps at sunset.

As part of the ceremony, bands belonging to all three military wings, i.e. the Army, the Navy and the Air Force perform at Raisina Hill and the adjacent Vijay Chowk, flanked by the North and South block.

The ceremony begins with the arrival of the President for the ceremony accompanied by his mounted bodyguards amidst the sound of fanfare sounded by the trumpeters of the Brigade of the Guards. Once the President arrives, the commander of the President’s Bodyguard asks the unit to give the national salute. After this, the national flag is unfurled at the venue amid the performance of national anthem by the bands.

The ceremony, whose origins can be traced back to 17th century England has been performed in the country since the 50s, when Major GA Roberts from Grenadier battalion was asked to develop a ceremony for display of the massed bands.

While the core of the ceremony has remained intact, several changes have also been introduced. Since 2016, bands belonging to central armed police forces and state police have also started to take part in the event. Also, in addition to the western band instruments, the country has also introduced Indian instruments such as shehnai for the ceremony.

(With agency inputs)

First Published:Jan 26, 2019 6:16 AM IST