Located along the banks of the river Ganga in the Ghazipur district of Uttar Pradesh is Gahmar, famously known as ‘Soldiers’ Village’. Gahmar has a unique tradition of producing hundreds of soldiers who have served the Indian Armed Forces with distinction. Every household in this village with a population of about 75,000 boasts of at least three or more soldiers! The inhabitants of Gahmar include more than 10,000 military personnel serving in all the three branches of the Armed Forces. There are about 5,000 military veterans in the village.
Interestingly, the village has not lost even a single soldier in the various battles after Independence including the Kargil War. Villagers believe Goddess Kamakhya whose temple is situated in the village protects the soldiers.