2nd Punjab Infantry

[Tinto]

Hi All,
Here is a badge which I have been told was for the 2nd Punjab Infantry.
I believe the boat commemorates the first Indian unit to serve outside British India.
Can anyone tell me the period when it was worn?
Thanks,
Tinto

[peter monahan]

Tinto

The 2nd Punjab, part of the Punjab Frontier Force [aka "Piffers"] like other IA regiments were authorized the battle honours "Carnatic" and "Mysore" in 1889, which puts a lower limit on the period and the crown, I believe, is Victorian, so the badge must date from the period 1889 to 1901 or so, when the new 'king's crown' would have begun to appear on the badges. Unless they kept the QV crown as a distinction, which I think unlikely.

The story of the ship makes sense, though I hadn't heard it before. One of the many causes of unrest in the John Company army previous to the Indian Mutiny was the issue of shipping Hindu troops across the "Kala Pani" ['black water'], which apparently defiled their caste and required a costly cleansing ceremony when they returned home. John Company had paid a 'batta' [field allowance] which partly offset this, but it was rumoured that the bata was to be withdrawn. In fact, I believe it actually was. It would make sense, then, that the first unit to make this trip would boast of it on their badge.

Hope this is some help and willing to be corrected on any blunder I've made!

Peter

[Tinto]

Hello Peter,
Thank you very much for pinning down the time period the badge was worn, approx. 1889-1901.
I think there was a regimental history published, hopefully a Forum member may have a copy to confirm the boat story.
Cheers, Tinto

[signalman]

Tinto the badge you have is a good quality (officers?) 9th Madras Native Infantry badge pre 1903.In these reforms (Kitchener) completed the removal of most southern Indian troops and replaced them with northern martial races,the 9th Madras N.I. became 69th Punjabis and adopted the Galley badge,With the reforms of 1922 they became the 2nd/2nd Punjab Regiment.Therefore your badge is pre 1903 and does have a queens crown.How long they were using this for iam uncertain,nice badge well done. Regards.Phil.

[Tinto]

Hello Phil,
Thank you very much for making that correction and for your other information, the badge being 9th Madras Native Infantry.
Regards, Tinto