The ceremony traces its origins to the early 1950s when Major Roberts of the Indian Army indigenously developed the unique ceremony of display by the massed bands.
Also, 10 new compositions were being played for the first time - four by Army (‘Jahan Daal Daal Pe Sone ki Chidiya', ‘Swarnim Desh', ‘Blessing of the God' and ‘Dhruv') and six by Navy and Air Force (‘Skylord', ‘Brave Warriors', ‘Stride', ‘The Western Seas', ‘Rejoice in Raisina' and ‘Fidos'). Also for the first time ‘Gagan Damama Bajio' quick march tune was played.
This year Indian Army introduced a drum ‘Tum Tum' comprising four sets of small drums.
The ceremony marks a centuries-old military tradition, when the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms and withdrew from the battlefield and returned to the camps at sunset at the sounding of the Retreat.
