April 23, 2026
Rajputana Rifles completes 200 years of service with Indian Army
Defense

Rajputana Rifles Completes 200 Years of Service with Indian Army

In its rich history of 200 years, the battalion has participated in various epic battles all across the globe and also earned 27 Battle/Theatre honours and over 200 gallantry awards both before and after the independence including one Victoria Cross, 19 Military Cross, one Kirti Chakra, three Vir Chakra and three Shaurya Chakras and more than 50 Sena Medals for bravery and innumerable awards for meritorious and distinguished service.

By Kautilya / February 21, 2020

Jaisalmer: The 5th Battalion (Napier’s), the Rajputana Rifles, celebrated its glorious saga of valour and glory of 200 years in Bikaner (Rajasthan) and their Battle Honor Day from February 15 to 18.

The Battalion made a humble beginning on May 24, 1820, at Poona as the 1st Extra Battalion Native Infantry and got its present designation as 5th Battalion (Napier’s), the Rajputana Rifles in 1945. In its rich history of 200 years, the battalion has participated in various epic battles all across the globe and also earned 27 Battle/Theatre honours and over 200 gallantry awards both before and after the independence including one Victoria Cross, 19 Military Cross, one Kirti Chakra, three Vir Chakra and three Shaurya Chakras and more than 50 Sena Medals for bravery and innumerable awards for meritorious and distinguished service.

An official source said, “It is the first Rifle Regiment of the Indian Army”.
“Besides the Army hierarchy, chief minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot felicitated the unit. Another civil dignitary was Ajay Jadeja, ex-cricketer, who represented the Maharaja of Jamnagar. Maharaja of Jamnagar was one of first Indian officers to be commissioned in Napiers Rifles in 1919,” the source added.

Source:TOI

Image Courtesy: Facebook

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