The Madras Regt

The Madras Regiment is one of the oldest regiments in the Indian army formed around the middle of 18th century. The regiment has been through many campaigns with both the British Indian Army and the Indian Army.

History

The Madras Regiment was established by the British East India Company, initially they were working for the company as paid militia. The regiment has been through many campaigns with both the British Indian Army and the Indian Army. It was regularized and trained by Stinger Lawrence, a veteran of the Seven Years' War. Then after the power shifted to crown this was converted into a full regiment. Many well-known British officers have commanded this regiment, Robert Clive is one among them. This regiment has fought the Carnatic wars, which were fought in South India. The elephant crest symbolizes its gallantry in the Battle of Assaye under Arthur Wellesley, later Duke of Wellington.

There after the British annexed the Indian sub-continent, largely with the help of these Madrasi Sepoys. However operational necessities, including the infamous Divide and rule doctrine shifted their recruiting base from southern India to northern India, slowly this regiment was lost in that time span. Many later Punjab battalions of Indian and Pakistani Armies, however, still trace their lineage back to the Madras battalions. After many years this regiment was formed into a full strength force during the World War II, and performed very creditably.

After independence, the infantry battalions of the Travancore, Cochin and Mysore State forces were amalgamated into the Madras Regiment. Post-independence saw the consolidation of the Regiment and re-affirmation of the versatility and valour of the South Indian troops when the battalions of the Regiment fought fierce battles during the 1947-48 Jammu & Kashmir Operations, the 1962 Sino-Indian Conflict and the Indo-Pak Wars of 1965 and 1971. The deployment of as many as seven battalions of the Regiment in Sri Lanka during Operation Pawan in 1987-89 was a testimony to the faith the Indian Army reposed in the loyalty, dedication and valour of the troops of the Madras Regiment. Two battalions (3 and 25 Madras) of the Regiment have been awarded unit citations by the COAS in recognition of their splendid service in combating insurgency in Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab.

Current Strength

Currently the regiment has a strength of 19 battalions. The 1st Battalion was converted to the Mechanised Infantry Regiment. Current battalions of the Madras regiment are:

• 2nd Battalion (old 75th Carnatic Infantry)
• 3rd Battalion (old 79th Carnatic Infantry)
• 4th Battalion (old 83rd Wallajahbad LI)
• 5th Battalion
• 6th Battalion
• 7th Battalion
• 8th Battalion
• 9th Battalion Madras Regiment (former State Forces unit)
• 10th Battalion
• 11th Battalion (old Territorial Battalion)
• 12th Battalion (old Territorial Battalion)
• 16th Battalion (former State Forces unit)
• 17th Battalion (former State Forces unit)
• 18th Battalion (former State Forces unit)
• 19th Battalion
• 25th Battalion (old garrison battalion)
• 26th Battalion (old garrison battalion)
• 27th Battalion (old garrison battalion)
• 28th Battalion (old coastal defence battalion)