• Source: Rajputana Rifles

The Rajputana Rifles is the oldest rifle regiment of the Indian Army. It was originally a part of the British Indian Army, when six previously existing regiments were amalgamated to form six battalions of the 6th Rajputana Rifles. In 1945, the numeral designation was dropped from the title and in 1947 the regiment was transferred to the newly independent Indian Army. Since independence, the regiment has been involved in a number of conflicts against Pakistan, as well as contributing to the Custodian Force (India) in Korea under the aegis of the United Nations in 1953–54 and to the UN Mission to the Congo in 1962. As a rifle regiment, it uses a bugle horn as its insignia, the same as the British Light Division, but unlike its British counterparts, the Rajputana Rifles march at the same march pace used in the Indian Army as a whole.




Etymology



The name Rajputana Rifles is derived from northwest, and the word Rajputana, a historic region in northwest India that is roughly coextensive with the modern Indian state of Rajasthan, as well as small sections of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. It is based on the word Rajaputra, meaning "son of a king, which came in 6th century. The name Rajputana means "land of the Kings". The Aravalli Range crosses the southern part of the region from northeast to southwest. The northwestern part is largely the Thar desert, but to the southeast, the land is extremely fertile. Rajput power rose here between the 6th and 13th centuries, and the princes resisted the early Muslim incursions, which began in the 11th century. Rajput power reached its peak in the early 15th century, but the area fell to the Mughals when Akbar captured the Chittor Fort in 1568. The Marathas held feudatories in the region from c. 1750 to 1818, when it passed to Great Britain. When Britishers came Rajputs did treaty. The Rajput princely states came under British protection by treaties in the early 19th century; most of the area was formed into Rajasthan state in 1948. Under the British, Rajputana included more than 20 princely states, notably Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Ajmer. The internal autonomy of many of the states was guaranteed.




Recruitment


The Rajputana Rifles is a fixed class regiment with equal proportions of Rajputs and Jats.




Lineage


The regiment's origins lie in the 18th century when the East India Company (HEIC) recruited Rajputs to protect its operations. The impressive performance of French local units which were composed of local recruits mixed with French officers, helped the HEIC to decide that it needed to do something similar. In January 1775, it raised its first local infantry units which included the 5th Battalion, Bombay Sepoys, which is considered to be the oldest rifle regiment of the Indian Army. The 5th Battalion was successively redesignated as 9th Battalion Bombay Sepoys in 1778; 2nd Battalion, 2nd Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry in 1796; 4th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry in 1824, and then 4th Regiment Native Infantry (Rifle Corps) in 1881. It thus became the first rifle regiment of the British Indian Army. In 1899 the battalion was once more renamed as 4th Regiment (1st Battalion Rifle Corps) Bombay Infantry and again in 1901 as 4th Bombay Rifles.
In Kitchener's 1903 reorganisation of the Indian Army, 4th Bombay Rifles became 104th Wellesley's Rifles, to commemorate the fact that the regiment had been commanded in 1800 by Arthur Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington). In the further re-organisation in 1921, the following six regiments were brought together to form the six battalions of the 6th Rajputana Rifles Regiment:

1st Battalion - 104th Wellesley's Rifles
2nd Battalion - 120th Rajputana Infantry
3rd Battalion - 122nd Rajputana Infantry
4th Battalion - 123rd Outram's Rifles
5th Battalion - 125th Napier's Rifles
10th (Training) Battalion - 13th Rajputs (The Shekhawati Regiment).
18th Battalion - (Saurashtra Rifles)
In 1945, the regiments of the British Indian Army dropped the numeral in their titles and so the Rajputana Rifles assumed its current name. In 1947, after the partition of India, the regiment was allocated to the newly formed Indian Army. In 1949, the 1st battalion was transferred to the newly raised Brigade of the Guards, becoming the 3rd battalion, Brigade of the Guards.




History



In 1817, the 4th battalion met the Marathas at the Battle of Khadki. The defence earned the regiment the battle honor of "Khadki". In 1856–57 the 1st, 2nd, and 4th battalions were together in the Persian theatre of operations. In 1856, Captain John Augustus Wood of the 2nd battalion (then the 20th Bombay Native Infantry) was awarded the Victoria Cross for storming Bushire Fort. This was the first Victoria Cross to be won in an Indian unit. Sub. Maj Mohammed Sharief and Sub. Peer Bhatt were recommended for the Victoria Cross for their actions in the same battle, but were turned down as at that time the medal category was not open to Indians.
In 1878–1880, during the Second Afghan War, the 1st battalion marched 145 miles in 5 days from Quetta to Kandahar and laid siege to the city. In 1900–1902, the 3rd battalion was part of a force used to contain the Boxer Rebellion in China.
World War I saw the regiment fight in battlefields from France to Palestine. The 5th battalion was in all theatres of the war and participated in General Allenby’s march to recapture Jerusalem.
During World War II, the regiment was expanded to thirteen battalions and served in the Middle East, Burma and Malaya. The 4th battalion had the distinction of earning two Victoria Crosses during this conflict.
Over the course of its existence, members of the regiment have received four Victoria Crosses, 44 Military Crosses, one Param Vir Chakra, three Ashok Chakras, one Padma Bhushan, fourteen Param Vishisht Seva Medals, ten Maha Vir Chakras, eleven Kirti Chakras, 18 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, two Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, 50 Vir Chakras, 28 Shaurya Chakras, 122 Sena Medals (including Bar), 39 Vishisht Seva Medals, three Yudh Seva Medals, 85 Mentions-in-Dispatches and 55 Arjuna Awards.




Units



The Rajputana Rifles consists of nineteen regular battalions, four Rashtriya Rifles battalions and two Territorial Army battalions -

§ indicates former units.




Alliances


United Kingdom - The 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment; 5th Battalion




Rajputana Rifles Regimental Museum


The Rajputana Rifles Regimental Museum in the Rajputana Rifles Centre is located inside the Delhi Cantonment. The museum covers the rich history of the regiment in the most modern fashion. The museum is around 7000 square feet in size and covers the history of the regiment from its inception. The museum exhibits weapons and uniforms and narrates the history through large format images and audiovisual film. The museum was designed and conceived by Holistic Design a Delhi-based design studio headed by Nikhil Bhardwaj who specializes in designing museums and exhibitions. Col. M. S. Niranjan of the 19th battalion was the director of the museum project. It is rated as the finest military museum in India and even compared to the Imperial War Museum in London.




Battle Honours


Pre Independence

Post Independence




Gallantry awards






= Pre-independence

=
Pre-1914
Victoria Cross

Captain John Augustus Wood, 20th Bombay Native Infantry
Lieutenant William Francis Frederick Waller, 24th Bombay Native Infantry

1914-1921
Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire

Captain Edwin James Mollison, 125th Napier's Rifles
Military Cross

Captain W. Odell, 123rd Outram's Rifles - attached 125th Napier Rifles
Lieutenant C. F. F. Moore, 123rd Outram's Rifles - attached 4th Gurkha Rifles
Lieutenant Charles Oliver Robins Mosse, 120th Rajputana Infantry
Lieutenant John Bell Nelson, 125th Napier's Rifles
Subedar Harnath Singh, 1st Battalion, 123rd Outram’s Rifles (Egypt)
Order of British India

Subedar Parbhudhan Singh, 13th Rajputs (The Shekhawatti Regiment), (East Africa)
Subedar Major Hassan Muhammad, 104th Wellesley's Rifles (Kut-Al-Amara)
Subedar Harchant Jat, 104th Wellesley's Rifles (Kut-Al-Amara)
Subedar Major Khitab Gul, 120th Rajputana Infantry (Mesopotamia)
Subedar Sri Bahadur Singh, 120th Rajputana Infantry (Mesopotamia)
Subedar Indar Singh, 120th Rajputana Infantry (Kut-Al-Amara)
Acting Subedar Major Abdul Shakur Khan, 122nd Rajputana Infantry (Mesopotamia)
Subedar Major Umar Din, 125th Napier's Rifles (France)
Subedar Nizam-ud-din, 125th Napier's Rifles (Egypt)
Indian Order of Merit

Subedar Bakhtawar Singh, 13th Rajputs (The Shekhawatti Regiment), (East Africa)
Subedar Sabal Singh, Naik Net Singh, Lance Naik Guman Singh, Rifleman Kheta Ram, Rifleman Dhanna Ram, Rifleman Maula Dad, Naik Narsu Singh, Rifleman Manji Singh, Naik Malik Khan, Subedar Mukh Ram, Colour Havildar Ganpat Singh, Havildar Allahditta (Mesopotamia), Subedar Tiku Ram (Kut-Al-Amara); all from 104th Wellesley's Rifles
Subedar Dunga Rawat, Sepoy Hukam Singh, Colour Havildar Ganesh Ram, Sepoy Lachhman Singh, Sepoy Kum Singh, Subedar Major Khitab Gul, Havildar Girwar, (Mesopotamia), Havildar Uhet Singh, Jemadar Nara, (Kut-Al-Amara); all from 120th Rajputana Infantry
Subedar Harnath Singh, Jemadar Bhim Singh, Subedar Major Bhura Ram, Jemadar Hans Ram, Jemadar Arjun Ram, Jemadar Nanig Ram, Naik Amir Hussain, (Egypt), Jemadar Mubarik Ali, (attached 58th Rifles) all from 123rd Outram’s Rifles
Rifleman Bal Singh, Jemadar Munshi Singh, Havildar Sher Khan, Rifleman Goru Ram, Lance Naik Feroz Khan, (Mesopotamia), Subedar Major Jahan Shah, Rifleman Sukh Singh, Colour Havildar Rahim Ali, Subedar Nizam-ud-din, Jemadar Sheobaksh Singh, (Egypt), all from 125th Napier's Rifles
Indian Distinguished Service Medal

World War I - 3 medals (13th Rajputs (The Shekhawatti Regiment)), 20 medals (104th Wellesley's Rifles), 21 medals (120th Rajputana Infantry), 2 medals (122nd Rajputana Infantry), 16 medals (123rd Outram’s Rifles), 18 medals (125th Napier's Rifles)
Indian Meritorious Service Medal

World War I - 10 medals (13th Rajputs (The Shekhawatti Regiment)), 26 medals (104th Wellesley's Rifles), 6 medals (120th Rajputana Infantry), 5 medals (122nd Rajputana Infantry), 51 medals (123rd Outram’s Rifles), 46 medals (125th Napier's Rifles)
Croix De Guerre (French)

Subedar Major Hasan Muhammad, Subedar Mukh Ram (France), 104th Wellesley's Rifles; Subedar Major Khitab Gil (France) 120th Rajputana Infantry
Leim Alilimdetaire (French)

Naik Jema Baksh (Egypt) 120th Rajputana Infantry; Colour Havildar Allahbad Khan (Mesopotamia), 125th Napier's Rifles
Medaille d'Honneur avec Glaives en Bronze (French)

Subedar Major Bhura Ram, 123rd Outram’s Rifles; CQMH Madat Khan, 125th Napier's Rifles

1921-1939
Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

Captain John Allan Ferguson, 13th Rajputs
Major Robert Denis Ambrose, 1st Battalion (Wellesley's), 6th Rajputana Rifles
Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

Major Harold James Huxford, 5th Battalion, 6th Rajputana Rifles (Napiers)
Distinguished Service Order

Lieutenant Colonel John Duncan Grant, 13th Rajputs
Military Cross

Lieutenant Geoffrey Herbert Bruno Beyts, 3rd Battalion, 6th Rajputana Rifles
Lieutenant Roy Edward Percy Wyndham, 3rd Battalion, 6th Rajputana Rifles
Lieutenant Richard Harold Robert Alderman, 4th Battalion (Outram's), 6th Rajputana Rifles

1939-1947
Victoria Cross

Company Havildar-Major Chhelu Ram - Victoria Cross, 4th Battalion, 6th Rajputana Rifles
Subedar Richhpal Ram, 4th Battalion, 6th Rajputana Rifles
Distinguished Service Order

Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Herbert Bruno Beyts, Lieutenant Colonel PRH Skrine, Lieutenant Colonel WAL James, Lieutenant Colonel R Lawrenson, Lieutenant Colonel RB Scott, Lieutenant Colonel L Jones, Lieutenant J. McHadden, Major (temporary) John Lewis Haycroft Davis, Lieutenant-Colonel (acting) George Edgar Parker.
Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

Brigadier (acting) Victor George Joseph Barton, Lieutenant-Colonel (Temporary Brigadier) Franz Reginald Lindsay Goadb, Major Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert James Sheppard, Colonel (temporary) Bertram Bayliss, Lieutenant-Colonel (local) George Roy Stevens, Major RB Broadbent
Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

Lieutenant Colonel (temporary) Denis Gill Ryan, Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) Claude Morgan Hutchings, Major (temporary) Alan Philip Young, Major (temporary) David Ralph Morgan, Captain Alan Stuart Roger, Captain DL Powell Jones, Captain (temporary) John Lewis Warren, Captain (Temporary) Liaqat Saeed Khan Lodi, Captain (temporary Major) George Edgar Parker, Captain (temporary) Harold Anthony Burke, Captain Stanley Broadbent, Major (temporary) Abdul Rashid Choudhri, Captain (temporary) Ghulam Nabi Jemadar Farman Ali.
Military Cross

Major (temporary) Leslie Louis Fleming, Major (temporary) Geoffrey Arthur Hasler, Major (temporary) George Edgar Parker, Major (temporary) John Keith Parry, Major (acting) John Campbell Anderson, Major (temporary) Hubert Michael Close, Captain GE Charter, Captain Mian Khan, Captain CE Cayley, Captain GR Riddick, Captain KR Gentles, Captain Ivan Bernard St. Regis Surita, Captain JRM French, Captain EW Dixon, Captain AT Murray, Captain Dinesh Chandra Misra, Captain (temporary) John Michael Beamish, Lieutenant Geoffrey Earle Dubois, Lieutenant Daljit Singh Randhawa, Captain (temporary) Ivon Charles Jameson, Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Edward Wilberforce Dixon, 2nd Lieutenant NL Kapur, 2nd Lieutenant Bashir Ahmed, Captain Alexander Hendrick Roosmale Cocq, Lieutenant Gilbert Llewellyn Young-Western, Lieutenant Denis Oswald O'Leary, 2nd Lieutenant JM Ashworth, 2nd Lieutenant PK Horwood, Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Sworup Singh Kalaan, Subedar Tota Ram, Subedar Kesari Singh, Jemadar Sanwal Ram, Jemadar Kalu Ram, Subedar Kalyan Singh, Jemadar (acting Subedar) Usman Ghani, Jemadar Anwar Beg.
Indian Order of Merit, 1st Class

Subedar Niaz Ali Khan
Indian Order of Merit

Subedar Jiwan Ram, Subedar Akbar Khan, Subedar Mohammed Yusuf, Jemadar Bohita Ram, Jemadar Bhura Ram, Jemadar Jailal Ram, Havildar Mohammed Akbar, Havildar Hardewa Ram, Havildar Fatteh Khan, Havildar Durjan Singh, Naik Dost Mohammed, Rifleman Dharam Singh Ram, Jemadar Hoshiar Singh, Havildar Bhima Ram, Subedar Bostan Khan, Subedar Amar Singh, Jemadar Jagna Ram, Jemadar Niaz Ali Khan, Havildar Ganpat Ram, Havildar Habib Khan, Havildar Sheodan Singh, Havildar Goru Ram, Havildar Bhagirath Singh, Naik Bhopal Singh, L/Naik Anop Singh, L/Naik Bhaira Ram, L/Naik Mahji Khan, Subedar Barisal Singh, Naik Binja Ram, Subadar-Major Narain Singh.
Indian Distinguished Service Medal

Subedar Sukh Ram, Subedar Govinda Ram, Jemadar Gopichand Ram, Jemadar Bhagwana Ram, Jemadar Lall Khan, Jemadar Jita Ram, Jemadar Bhopal Singh, Jemadar Gurdial Ram, Havildar Panna Ram, Havildar Mull Singh, Havildar Inayat Khan, Havildar Phula Ram, Havildar Ratti Ram, Havildar Mohammed Niwaz, Havildar Atta Mohammed, Havildar Juglal Ram, Havildar Neki Ram, Naik Bhagwana Ram, Naik Ramnath Ram, Naik Hem Singh, Naik Begraj Ram, Naik Het Ram, Naik Mohammed Inayat Ali, Lance-Naik Jagat Singh, Lance-Naik Chandgi Ram, Lance-Naik Bega Ram, Lance-Naik Kasi Ram, Lance-Naik Khushi Mohammed, Lance-Naik Kalyan Singh, Rifleman Nandkaran Ram, Rifleman Puran Ram, Rifleman Mangal Singh, Rifleman Fidda Huissain, Rifleman Mohammed Yusuf, Rifleman Harsukh Ram, Jemadar Hoshiar Singh, Havildar Bhima Ram, Subedar Peroze Khan, Jemadar Gulab Khan, Jemadar Harnarain Ram, Jemadar Jowahir Singh, Havildar Harnath Singh, Havildar Sardara Ram, Naik Suba Khan, Nail Khema Ram, L/Naik Kara Ram, L/Naik Sagat Singh, Rifleman Dipa Ram, Rifleman Jiwan Singh, Rifleman Mumphal Ram, Rifleman Sobh Singh, Rifleman Amilal Ram, Rifleman Sanwat Singh, Havildar Chatterbui Singh, Havildar Punjraj Singh, Naik Dalpat Singh, Subedar Sardar Khan, Havildar Bhopsingh Ram, Company Havildar-Major (acting) Sheodayal Singh, Sepoy (acting Naik) Hak Ram, Lance-Naik Jugal Singh.
Military Medal

Naik Mohd Khan, Naik Fasal Hussain, Naik Jhuntha Ram, Lance-Naik Abdul Rehman, Sweeper Wazir, Rifleman Mohd Sharif, Rifleman Parmeshwar Singh, Rifleman Zaman Ali, Naik Kishan Singh, Naik Megh Singh, Naik (Acting) Lal Singh, Lance-Naik Karam Ellahi, Naik Chuni Ram, Company Havildar-Major Jisukh Ram, Havildar Himta Ram, Naik Kana Ram, Lance-Naik Zarif Khan, Company Havildar-Major Naurang Ram, Rifleman Khuda Dad, Rifleman Ramkunwar Singh, Rifleman Sheochand Ram, Naik Qaim Khan.
British Empire Medal

Lance-Naik Dusera Ram, Havildar-Major Mir Badshah, Rifleman Mehraj Din
Gold Cross of Merit

Lieutenant-Colonel Julius Benois Edwardes
Mentioned in dispatches

87 numbers




= Post-independence

=
Param Vir Chakra

Company Havildar Major Piru Singh, 6th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Ashok Chakra

Havildar Rajesh Kumar, 11th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Captain Ummed Singh Mahra, 19th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh, 13th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Maha Vir Chakra

Major General Swarup Singh Kalaan, MC, Rajputana Rifles
Lieutenant Colonel (later Brigadier) Raghubir Singh Rajawat, 18th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Lieutenant Ved Prakash Trehan, 4th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Rifleman Dhonkal Singh, 6th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Naik Sugan Singh, 7th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Major Padmapani Acharya, 2nd Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Major Vivek Gupta, 2nd Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Naik Digendra Kumar, 2nd Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse, 2nd Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Kirti Chakra

Lieutenant Colonel Kamaldeep Singh, 18 RR, Rajputana Rifles
Captain (Later Colonel) Karni Singh Rathore, 17th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles (Sawaiman Guards)
Captain Ashutosh Kumar, 5th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Havildar Amar Singh, 17th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Naib Subedar Umaid Singh, 6th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Naik Rajinder Singh, 2nd Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Major Pushpender Singh (on deputation to 28 Assam Rifles)
Lance Naik Hoshiar Singh, 6th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles (Sawaiman Guards)
Vir Chakra

Lieutanant Colonel Mahabir Singh, 2nd Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Major Balbir Singh Poonia, 7th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Major Rajender Singh Rajawat, 18th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Major Ram Swarup Sharma, Rajputana Rifles
Major (later Brigadier) Jitendra Kumar Tomar, 9th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Captain Vijayant Thapar, 2nd Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Colonel Magod Basappa Ravindranath, 2nd Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Major Mohit Saxena, 2nd Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Captain Mohammed Haneef Uddin, 11th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Subedar Rajab Ali, 8th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Naib Subedar Mangej Singh, 11th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Jemadar Sanwal Ram, 6th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Havildar Hazari Singh, 6th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Naik Sheo Chand Ram, 2nd Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Lance Naik Prem Singh, 12th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
CHM Yashvir Singh, 2nd Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Havildar Prem Kumar Chauhan, 5th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Rifleman Rewat Singh, 6th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Rifleman Mathan Singh, 2nd Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Rifleman Mohan Singh, 11th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Rifleman Jai Ram Singh, 2nd Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Rifleman Mahilal Singh, 4th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Rifleman Chagan Singh, 12th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles
Shaurya Chakra

Lance Naik Ayyub Ali, 9 RR, Rajputana Rifles
Naib Subedar Lal Singh Khichi, 57 RR, Rajputana Rifles
Lance Naik Deshpal Singh, 9 RR, Rajputana Rifles
Rifleman Lakshman Singh, 9 RR, Rajputana Rifles
Havildar Hanuman Ram Saran, 18 RR, Rajputana Rifles
Rifleman Mukesh Kumar, 9 RR, Rajputana Rifles
Havildar Bhim Singh, 7RR, Rajputana Rifles[151]




See also


List of regiments of the Indian Army




References






Further reading


Singh, Colonel Dr Narendar (2019) ''Third Battalion The Rajputana Rifles 'Waffadar Paltan' Volume 1 1818-1920 (New Delhi: Pentagon Press) ISBN 978-93-86618-92-4
Singh, Colonel Dr Narendar (2020) ''Third Battalion The Rajputana Rifles 'Gods Own' Volume 2 1921-2018 (New Delhi: Pentagon Press) ISBN 978-81-944659-2-8
Brigadier Raghubir Singh Rajawat [1]




External links


Rajputana Rifles on globalsecurity.org
Rajputana Rifles - L. N. Subramaniam

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Daftar penerima Param Vir Chakra
• Angkatan Darat India
• Shershaah
• Ashish Vidyarthi
• Rajputana Rifles
• Rashtriya Rifles
• 6th Rajputana Rifles
• Neeraj Kumar Singh
• Infantry of the Indian Army
• Richhpal Ram
• Vivek Gupta (major)
• Kargil War
• LOC: Kargil
• M. B. Ravindranath