The 2nd Queen Victoria's Own Rajput Light Infantry, commonly shortened to 2nd Rajputs, was a regiment of the British Indian Army. Raised in 1798, it was amalgamated with five other Rajput regiments in 1922.

History

The British East India Company raised a 2nd Battalion for the 15th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (BNI) in 1798. As such, it fought at Delhi, Laswari, Deeg, and Bharatpur, India, Bharatpur. For its service under Gerard Lake, 1st Viscount Lake, General Lake during the Second Anglo-Maratha War, the battalion was granted an Colours, standards and guidons, honorary colour; an additional jemadar was employed on its strength to carry it. The battalion was separated from the 15th in 1828, to form the 31st Bengal Native Infantry. Its first campaign as a regiment was in 1839, in the First Anglo-Afghan War. The regiment fought at Kalat (Pakistan), Kalat, a fortress captured on 13 November. Three battle honours were awarded during the Second Anglo-Sikh War, two for the battles of Battle of Chillianwala, Chillianwala and Battle of Gujarat, Gujarat. In the Indian rebellion of 1857, the regiment did not mutiny and fought in the Central India Campaign (1858), Central India Campaign, holding a Sangor fort under attack for six months. The Governor General described the regiment as showing unexampled fidelity during this period. Almost the entire Bengal Army had mutinied and in the ensuing disbandment of its regiments, the 31st became the second most senior. When Queen Victoria became Empress of India in 1876, the regiment became the 2nd (Queen's Own) Regiment of Bengal Native Light Infantry. The regimental badge worn until 1923 comprised a brass bugle with the number 2 between the strings. The regiment later served in the Second Anglo-Afghan War, Second Afghan War and contributed to the international force that intervened in the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. Two additional battalions were raised during the World War I, First World War, the 2nd in 1917 and the 3rd in 1918. The regiment served in Sinai and Palestine Campaign, Egypt, Mesopotamia Campaign, Mesopotamia, and Third Anglo-Afghan War, Afghanistan. Reorganisation of the Indian Army in 1922 resulted in its amalgamation with the 4th, 7th, 8th, 11th, and 16th Rajputs, to form the 7th Rajput Regiment. The 2nd Rajputs, upon becoming the 1st Battalion, retained its title, albeit as a subtitle. After Partition of India, India's independence, the battalion was elevated to Foot Guards, "Guard" status and transferred to the Brigade of the Guards as its 4th Battalion.

Notable members of the regiment

*Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa *Field Marshal Sir Henry Wylie Norman *Major-General Corrie Hudson

Battle honours

Battle of Delhi, 1803, Delhi 1803, Laswari, Laswaree, Deeg, Deig, Bharatpur, India, Bhurtpore, Kalat (Pakistan), Khelat. First Anglo-Afghan War, Afghanistan, Maharajpur, Madhya Pradesh, Maharajpore, Punjab (British India), Punjaub, Battle of Chillianwala, Chillianwallah, Battle of Gujarat, Goojerat, Central India Campaign (1858), Central India, Second Anglo-Afghan War, Afghanistan 1879-80, Third Burmese War, Burma 1885-87, Boxer Rebellion, China 1900

References

* *Michael Barthorp, Barthorp, Michael (1979), ''Indian Infantry Regiments, 1860-1914'', Osprey *
Bharat Rakshak - The Rajput Regiment
* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:2nd Queen Victoria'S Own Rajput Light Infantry Military units and formations established in 1798 Military units and formations disestablished in 1922 British Indian Army infantry regiments Rajput history Bombay Presidency