21st Punjabis

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21st Punjabis
First World War
Commanders
Colonel of
the Regiment		Major-General Sir Vere Bonamy Fane

The 21st Punjabis were an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1857, as the 11th Regiment of Punjab Infantry. It was designated as the 21st Punjabis in 1903 and became 10th (Training) Battalion of 14th Punjab Regiment in 1922. In 1943, it was converted into the 14th Punjab Regimental Centre. In 1947, the 14th Punjab Regiment was allocated to the Pakistan Army. In 1956, the 1st, 14th, 15th and 16th Punjab Regimental Centres where amalgamated to form the Punjab Regimental Centre.[1]

Early history

The regiment was raised in 1857, during the upheaval of the

Second Afghan War of 1878-80.[1] In June 1902 they were posted to the garrison in Tianjin, in China.[2]

Uniform

The officer's service dress consisted of a jacket with turned collar and shoulder straps. Over knickerbockers hung a long khaki shirt, and other Indian ranks wore a kurta. They wore regimental buttons, shoulder straps, badges and stripes. The infantry in the Indian army pre-1914 wore a bandolier, and a brown leather belt reminiscent of the British Army pre-1908 webbing issue. They carried a Lee Enfield rifle and short bayonet.

As part of the

Afridis
. There were eight companies post-1857, including a total of four platoons.

The Pathans on the Afghani border were occasionally unruly, and sought to escape service to serve enemies. While Afridis were solicited for recruitment in Great War by the German-sponsored rebels seeking to overthrow the government.[3]

21st Punjabis

Group photograph of 21st (Punjab) Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry, 1866.

Subsequent to the

First World War, the regiment served in Egypt and Palestine. In 1918, it took part in the Battle of Megiddo, which led to the annihilation of Turkish Army in Palestine. In 1917, the 21st Punjabis raised a second battalion, which was disbanded after the war.[4]

Subsequent History

After the First World War, the 21st Punjabis were grouped with the

Ferozepur. During the Second World War, 10/14th Punjab was converted into the 14th Punjab Regimental Centre. In 1947, the 14th Punjab Regiment was allocated to Pakistan Army, and in 1956, it was merged with the 1st, 15th and 16th Punjab Regiments to form the Punjab Regiment. The 14th Punjab Regimental Centre was merged with the 1st, 15th and 16th Punjab Regimental Centres to form the Punjab Regimental Centre. It is based at Mardan.[1][5]

Genealogy

Officer of 21st Punjabis. Watercolour by Richard Simkin, 1912.
  • 1857 9th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
  • 1861 25th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 1861 21st Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 1864 21st (Punjab) Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 1885 21st (Punjab) Regiment of Bengal Infantry
  • 1901 21st Punjab Infantry
  • 1903 21st Punjabis
  • 1917 1st Battalion 21st Punjabis
  • 1921 21st Punjabis
  • 1922 10th (Training) Battalion 14th Punjab Regiment
  • 1943 14th Punjab Regimental Centre
  • 1956 Punjab Regimental Centre

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Rizvi, Brig SHA. (1984). Veteran Campaigners – A History of the Punjab Regiment 1759-1981. Lahore: Wajidalis.
  2. ^ "Latest intelligence - the Garrison of Tien-Tsin". The Times. No. 36808. London. 1 July 1902. p. 3.
  3. ^ Barnes, Military Uniforms of Great Britain & The Empire (London, 1960), pp.254-6
  4. ^ Gaylor, John (1991). Sons of John Company: The Indian and Pakistan Armies 1903–91. Stroud: Spellmount.
  5. ^ Haig, Brodie. Fourteenth Punjab Regiment 1939-1945. London: Lund Humphries.

Further reading

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