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Old 10-05-21, 12:13 PM
peter monahan peter monahan is offline
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A little more information. The NABHA AKAL infantry were part of the state forces of the Punjabi state of Nabha [not 'Nabna]. During WW2 they were taken into the Punjab Regiment as the 14th Battalion and, in 1948, became a permanent part of that regiment when the state was absorbed into India.

The 3rd Battalion, Punjab Reg't has battle honoure for North Africa and my guess is that your Naik transferred, or was transferred, to that Battalion and that's how he saw service in North Africa. A number of the other battalions of the Punjab Reg't were captured at Hong Kong and Singapore.

The last Maharajah of Nabha was a typical, IMO, product of the British Imperial system: Sandhurst educated and, in later life a vintage car collector and naturalist. Here's a potted bio: "
Pratap Singh Nabh was born at Nabha, the eldest son and heir of Ripudaman Singh. At the age of eight, his father was deposed and Pratap Singh became the Maharaja. Pratap Singh began his schooling in the Anglo Indian school, Woodstock, in Musoorie. He was educated at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and at Badingham College in Surrey.
Military Maharaja[edit]
After formally succeeding to the gadi in 1941, Pratap Singh was commissioned a Lieutenant in the British Indian Army and served in the Second World War. He was promoted to Captain in 1944, Lieutenant-Colonel in 1945 and Colonel in 1946. In 1946, he was knighted with the KCSI. Following Independence, he served as aide-de-camp to the President of India, as well as the head of the Sikh Regiment."

I hope this is of some interest.

Peter
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