The Madras Regiment
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| The Madras Regiment | |
|---|---|
 Regimental Insignia of the Madras Regiment |
|
| Active | 1758 - Present |
| Country | India |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Line Infantry |
| Size | 19 Battalions |
| Regimental Centre | Wellington, Tamil Nadu |
| Motto | Swadharme Nidhanam Shreyaha (It is a glory to die doing one’s duty) |
| War Cry | Veera Madrassi, Adi Kollu , Adi Kollu(Brave Madrassi, Hit and Kill, Hit and Kill!) |
| Decorations | 1 Ashoka Chakra, 5 Maha Vir Chakras, 32 Vir Chakras, 97 Sena Medals, 9 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, 7 Kirti Chakras, 17 Shaurya Chakras, 1 Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, 16 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 32 Vishisht Seva Medals, 151 Mention-in-Despatches, 210 COAS's Commendation Cards, 140 GOC-in-C's Commendation Cards, 3 Jeevan Rakshak Padak and 2 Unit Citations (3 and 25 Madras). |
| Battle honours | Post Independence
Tithwal, Punch, Kalidhar, Maharajke, Siramani and Basantar River. |
| Insignia | |
| Regimental Insignia | An Assaye Elephant posed upon a shield with two crossed swords |
The Madras Regiment is the oldest regiment in the Indian army formed in the 1750s. The regiment has been through many campaigns with both the British Indian Army and the Indian Army.
Contents |
[edit] History
The oldest Battalion in the Madras Regiment (and the Indian Army) was the 9th Battalion, formerly known as the Nair Brigade (Nayar Pattalam-"Nair Army"). This militia was raised in 1704 at Padmanabhapuram as body guards for the Maharajah of Travancore, and were active in the Battle of Colachel in defeating the Dutch forces. The army was made up of soldiers from Nair warrior clans, however after the 1940s, non-Nairs were permitted to join. The "Nayar Army" became incorporated into the Indian Army on April 1951.
In 1748 Major Stringer Lawrence, a veteran of action in Spain, Flanders and the Highlands, was hired by the East India Company to take charge of the defense of Cuddalore. He laid the foundations of what was to become the Indian Army. Training the levies to become a militia, the Madras Levies were formed into "companies" and trained to become a disciplined and fine fighting force. In 1758 Lawrence raised the Madras Regiment, forming the several Companies of Madras Levies into two battalions. 2 Madras was raised in 1776 as 15 Carnatic Infantry at Thanjavur [and underwent many nomenclature changes thereafter]. The regiment has been through many campaigns with both the British Indian Army and the Indian Army. 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.
[edit] Post Independence
After independence, the infantry battalions of the Travancore"The Nair Pattalam", 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. Further two battalions served the nation, in the world's highest battlefield in the subzero temperatures of Siachen Glacier.
[edit] 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)
[edit] Regimental Tribute
Let those who come after, see to it that these names be not forgotten, For they who at the call of duty, left all that was dear to them, Endured hardships, faced dangers, and finally passed out of sight of men, In the path of duty and self-sacrifice, Giving their lives that we might live in freedom.
[edit] References
Madras Regiment on Bharat-Rakshak
