Today is 29th January..... It always reminds me the BEATING RETREAT CEREMONY.
For BEATING RETREAT CEREMONY, 2012: Read "CURTAIN RAISER" (Officially published by the Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting).
Beating Retreat is a military ceremony dating back to 16th Century England and was first used in order to recall nearby patrolling units to their castle.
History: Originally it was known as Watch Setting and was initiated at sunset by the firing of a single round from the evening gun. An order from the army of James II (England), otherwise James VII of Scotland dated to 18th June 1690 had his drums beating an order for his troops to retreat and a later order from William III in 1694 read "The Drum Major and Drummers of the Regiment which gives a Captain of the Main Guard are to beat the Retreat through the large street, or as may be ordered. They are to be answered by all the Drummers of the guards, and by four Drummers of each Regiment in their respective Quarters". However, either or both orders may refer to the ceremonial tattoo.
India: In India, it officially denotes the end of 'REPUBLIC DAY' festivities. It is conducted on the evening of January 29, the third day after the Republic Day. For more, Read "BEATING RETREAT" - GLORY OF INDIA.
