Punjab Regiment (Pakistan)
Encyclopedia
The Punjab Regiment is an infantry
regiment
of the Pakistan Army
. The modern regiment was formed in 1956 from an amalgamation of the 1st Punjab Regiment
, 14th Punjab Regiment
, 15th Punjab Regiment
and 16th Punjab Regiment
. Since then the regiment has expanded in strength to now include 47 Battalions.
It is the senior-most regiment in the Army, tracing its lineage back over two hundred and fifty years to 1759. The regiment's battalions have a distinguished record of military service spanning the rise and decline of British
power in South Asia
, both World Wars and post independence Pakistan
.
of the British East India Company
. The most senior battalion of the 1st Punjab Regiment
was raised in 1759 as the 3rd Battalion of Coast Sepoys, and is the senior most surviving infantry battalion of the British Indian Army
. Their first major conflict was a decisive victory at Battle of Wandiwash
in 1760, when the British East India Company led by Sir Eyre Coote effectively ended French colonial ambitions in South Asia. All the battalions of the regiment subsequently played an important role in the early military campaigns of the East India Company and were actively engaged in the wars against the French, Mysore and the Marathas.
The numbers and titles of the battalions changed during the successive reorganisations of the Madras Presidency Army, the British Indian Army and the Indian Army during the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries. The names changed from Coast Sepoys to Carnatic Infantry, Madras Native Infantry, Punjabis and finally to the Punjab Regiment. After 1857, the British applied the Martial Races theory and north Indian troops replaced the South Indians, the regiment eventually being renamed as The Punjab Regiment.
. Various battalions were deployed across the Empire in conflicts in places ranging from China
, Egypt
, Burma and Abyssinia
.
Between 1903 to 1922, the British Indian Army included 28 numbered Punjabi Regiments
. In 1922 these were amalgamated into 6 numbered Punjab Regiments, namely;
These Regiments would all play a prominent role during World War II
. Within the 14th Punjab Regiment
, the 1st and 5th battalions were deployed in Malaya during the opening stages of the World War II in South East Asia
. The 1st Battalion, under Lt Col James Fitzpatrick, was overrun by superior Japanese forces at Changlun
during the Battle of Jitra
. With only 270 survivors, the 1st Battalion was not reformed during the campaign. The 5th Battalion, under the command of Lt Col Cyril Stokes, performed relatively well in the fighting retreat to Kroh
in early December 1941. Stokes was killed during the Battle of Muar
in January 1942. The 5/14th Punjabs was forced to surrender along with the rest of the commonwealth troops when Singapore fell on 15 February 1942. A number of troops from both battalions however later joined the Indian National Army
, and formed a part of the Hindustan Field Force
of the first INA.
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In 1947 the British Government announced the Independence
of South Asia
, and formation of Pakistan
and India
.
The Indian Army would subsequently also be divided between these two new nation states. Out of the six regiments, the 1st Punjab, 8th Punjab Regiment, 14th Punjab, 15th Punjab Regiment and 16th Punjab were allotted to the Pakistan Army and 2nd Punjab Regiment
to the Indian Army
.
The Punjab Regiment in its present form was formed in 1956 when four of the five Punjab Regiments allocated to Pakistan were merged.
The line up for the new regiment was:
1st Punjab regimental center was located at Jhelum
. In early September 1947 Pakistani personnel arrived from 2nd Punjab regimental center Meerut and Indian personnel (Sikhs) were dispatched to 11 Sikh RC and Rajputs to 6 Rajputana Rifle Center.
The Punjab Regiment at its height totalled 58 battalions; however, 11 were transferred in 1980 to the Sindh Regiment
.
and 50% Punjabi
.
with 47 battalions. They range from Mechanized Infantry to Light Anti-Tank (LAT) battalions. The Punjab Regimental Centre is located in Mardan
, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The current Colonel Commandant of the regiment is Lieutenant General Sardar Mahmood Ali Khan.
Since the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the Punjab Regiment has seen the appointment of four Colonel-in-Chiefs;
As a form of respect, deceased recipients are given the honorary title of Shaheed, which means martyr
, whilst living recipients are termed Ghazi which means victor.
; 12th, 14th, 15th, 17th Bn - The Mercian Regiment
; 13th Bn - The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (King's Lancashire and Border); 14th Bn
General Asif Nawaz Janjua
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of the Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
. The modern regiment was formed in 1956 from an amalgamation of the 1st Punjab Regiment
1st Punjab Regiment
The 1st Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to the Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 14th, 15th and 16th Punjab Regiments in 1956, to form the Punjab Regiment....
, 14th Punjab Regiment
14th Punjab Regiment
The 14th Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to the Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 1st, 15th and 16th Punjab Regiments in 1956, to form the Punjab Regiment....
, 15th Punjab Regiment
15th Punjab Regiment
The 15th Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 1st, 14th and 16th Punjab Regiments in 1956 to form the Punjab Regiment....
and 16th Punjab Regiment
16th Punjab Regiment
The 16th Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 1st, 14th and 15th Punjab Regiments in 1956 to form the Punjab Regiment....
. Since then the regiment has expanded in strength to now include 47 Battalions.
It is the senior-most regiment in the Army, tracing its lineage back over two hundred and fifty years to 1759. The regiment's battalions have a distinguished record of military service spanning the rise and decline of British
British
The word British is an adjective referring in various ways to the United Kingdom or the island of Great Britain and its people and language.People...
power in South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
, both World Wars and post independence Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
.
Early History
The Punjab regiment can trace its origins to the Madras ArmyMadras Army
The Madras Army was the army of the Presidency of Madras, one of the three presidencies of the British India within the British Empire.The presidency armies, like the presidencies themselves, belonged to the East India Company until the Government of India Act 1858 transferred all three...
of the British East India Company
British East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
. The most senior battalion of the 1st Punjab Regiment
1st Punjab Regiment
The 1st Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to the Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 14th, 15th and 16th Punjab Regiments in 1956, to form the Punjab Regiment....
was raised in 1759 as the 3rd Battalion of Coast Sepoys, and is the senior most surviving infantry battalion of the British Indian Army
British Indian Army
The British Indian Army, officially simply the Indian Army, was the principal army of the British Raj in India before the partition of India in 1947...
. Their first major conflict was a decisive victory at Battle of Wandiwash
Battle of Wandiwash
The Battle of Wandiwash was a decisive battle in India during the Seven Years' War. The Count de Lally's army, burdened by a lack of naval support and funds, attempted to regain the fort at Vandavasi near Pondicherry. He was attacked by Sir Eyre Coote's forces and decisively defeated...
in 1760, when the British East India Company led by Sir Eyre Coote effectively ended French colonial ambitions in South Asia. All the battalions of the regiment subsequently played an important role in the early military campaigns of the East India Company and were actively engaged in the wars against the French, Mysore and the Marathas.
The numbers and titles of the battalions changed during the successive reorganisations of the Madras Presidency Army, the British Indian Army and the Indian Army during the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries. The names changed from Coast Sepoys to Carnatic Infantry, Madras Native Infantry, Punjabis and finally to the Punjab Regiment. After 1857, the British applied the Martial Races theory and north Indian troops replaced the South Indians, the regiment eventually being renamed as The Punjab Regiment.
British Raj
Following 1857 and the establishment of crown rule over British India, the Punjab regiment played a role in numerous conflicts across the British EmpireBritish Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
. Various battalions were deployed across the Empire in conflicts in places ranging from China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, Burma and Abyssinia
Abyssinia
Abyssinia may refer to:* Ethiopia, the modern nation* Ethiopian Empire, a historical nation* SS Abyssinia, 1870 Canadian Pacific steamship* HMS Abyssinia , British armoured ship* Abyssinia * Abyssinia...
.
Between 1903 to 1922, the British Indian Army included 28 numbered Punjabi Regiments
Punjab Regiment
Punjab Regiment may refer to the following existing units:*Punjab Regiment *Punjab Regiment From 1922 to 1947, the British Indian Army included 6 numbered Punjab Regiments:*1st Punjab Regiment*2nd Punjab Regiment*8th Punjab Regiment...
. In 1922 these were amalgamated into 6 numbered Punjab Regiments, namely;
- 1st Punjab Regiment1st Punjab RegimentThe 1st Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to the Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 14th, 15th and 16th Punjab Regiments in 1956, to form the Punjab Regiment....
- 2nd Punjab Regiment2nd Punjab RegimentThe 2nd Punjab Regiment was a British Indian Army regiment from 1922 to the partition of India in 1947.The regiment was formed by the amalgamation of other regiments:*1st Battalion, from the 67th Punjabis, formerly the 7th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry...
- 8th Punjab Regiment8th Punjab RegimentThe 8th Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947 and merged with the Baluch Regiment in 1956.-Madras Infantry:...
- 14th Punjab Regiment14th Punjab RegimentThe 14th Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to the Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 1st, 15th and 16th Punjab Regiments in 1956, to form the Punjab Regiment....
- 15th Punjab Regiment15th Punjab RegimentThe 15th Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 1st, 14th and 16th Punjab Regiments in 1956 to form the Punjab Regiment....
- 16th Punjab Regiment16th Punjab RegimentThe 16th Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 1st, 14th and 15th Punjab Regiments in 1956 to form the Punjab Regiment....
These Regiments would all play a prominent role during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Within the 14th Punjab Regiment
14th Punjab Regiment
The 14th Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to the Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 1st, 15th and 16th Punjab Regiments in 1956, to form the Punjab Regiment....
, the 1st and 5th battalions were deployed in Malaya during the opening stages of the World War II in South East Asia
South-East Asian theatre of World War II
The South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was the name given to the campaigns of the Pacific War in Burma , Ceylon, India, Thailand, Indochina, Malaya and Singapore. Conflict in the theatre began when the Empire of Japan invaded Thailand and Malaya from bases located in Indochina on December 8,...
. The 1st Battalion, under Lt Col James Fitzpatrick, was overrun by superior Japanese forces at Changlun
Changlun
Changlun is a main border town in Kedah, Malaysia. It is located in the district of Kubang Pasu, about 42 km north from Alor Star and 8 km near Bukit Kayu Hitam...
during the Battle of Jitra
Battle of Jitra
The Battle of Jitra was a major engagement fought between the invading Japanese and Allied forces during the Malayan Campaign of the Second World War. The battle lasted from 11-13 December 1941...
. With only 270 survivors, the 1st Battalion was not reformed during the campaign. The 5th Battalion, under the command of Lt Col Cyril Stokes, performed relatively well in the fighting retreat to Kroh
Operation Krohcol
Operation Krohcol, or the Battle for The Ledge, was a British operation in December 1941 to move into southern Thailand following the Japanese invasion of Malaya and of Thailand during World War II...
in early December 1941. Stokes was killed during the Battle of Muar
Battle of Muar
The Battle of Muar was the last major battle of the Malayan campaign. It took place from 14–22 January 1942 around Gemensah Bridge and on the Muar River...
in January 1942. The 5/14th Punjabs was forced to surrender along with the rest of the commonwealth troops when Singapore fell on 15 February 1942. A number of troops from both battalions however later joined the Indian National Army
Indian National Army
The Indian National Army or Azad Hind Fauj was an armed force formed by Indian nationalists in 1942 in Southeast Asia during World War II. The aim of the army was to overthrow the British Raj in colonial India, with Japanese assistance...
, and formed a part of the Hindustan Field Force
Hindustan Field Force
The Hindustan Field Force was the first operational regiment of the Indian National Army that was formed in September 1942 under the first INA. Under the command of J.K...
of the first INA.
Independence
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
of South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
, and formation of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
The Indian Army would subsequently also be divided between these two new nation states. Out of the six regiments, the 1st Punjab, 8th Punjab Regiment, 14th Punjab, 15th Punjab Regiment and 16th Punjab were allotted to the Pakistan Army and 2nd Punjab Regiment
2nd Punjab Regiment
The 2nd Punjab Regiment was a British Indian Army regiment from 1922 to the partition of India in 1947.The regiment was formed by the amalgamation of other regiments:*1st Battalion, from the 67th Punjabis, formerly the 7th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry...
to the Indian Army
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
.
The Punjab Regiment in its present form was formed in 1956 when four of the five Punjab Regiments allocated to Pakistan were merged.
Punjabi Regiments allocated to Pakistan now forming the Punjab Regiment
- 1st Punjab Regiment1st Punjab RegimentThe 1st Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to the Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 14th, 15th and 16th Punjab Regiments in 1956, to form the Punjab Regiment....
- 14th Punjab Regiment14th Punjab RegimentThe 14th Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to the Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 1st, 15th and 16th Punjab Regiments in 1956, to form the Punjab Regiment....
- 15th Punjab Regiment15th Punjab RegimentThe 15th Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 1st, 14th and 16th Punjab Regiments in 1956 to form the Punjab Regiment....
- 16th Punjab Regiment16th Punjab RegimentThe 16th Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 1st, 14th and 15th Punjab Regiments in 1956 to form the Punjab Regiment....
The line up for the new regiment was:
- 1 Punjab - 1/1st Punjab62nd PunjabisThe 62nd Punjabis was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1759 as the 3rd Battalion of Coast Sepoys, and formed part of the Madras Army. It was designated as the 62nd Punjabis in 1903 and became 1st Battalion 1st Punjab Regiment in 1922. In 1947, it was allocated to...
- 2 Punjab - 2/1st Punjab66th PunjabisThe 66th Punjabis was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1761 as the 7th Battalion of Coast Sepoys. It was designated as the 66th Punjabis in 1903 and became 2nd Battalion 1st Punjab Regiment in 1922...
- 3 Punjab - 3/1st Punjab76th PunjabisThe 76th Punjabis was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised by Captain Thomas Lane at Trichonopoly on 16 December 1776, as the 16th Carnatic Battalion. It was designated as the 76th Punjabis in 1903 and became the 3rd Battalion 1st Punjab Regiment in 1922...
- 4 Punjab - 5/1st Punjab82nd PunjabisThe 82nd Punjabis was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1788, as the 29th Madras Battalion. It was designated as the 82nd Punjabis in 1903 and became the 5th Battalion 1st Punjab Regiment in 1922...
- 5 Punjab - 1/14th Punjab19th PunjabisThe 19th Punjabis was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1857, as the 7th Regiment of Punjab Infantry. It was designated as the 19th Punjabis in 1903 and became 1st Battalion 14th Punjab Regiment in 1922...
- 6 Punjab - 2/14th Punjab (Duke of Cambridge's Own)20th Duke of Cambridge's Own Infantry (Brownlow's Punjabis)The 20th Duke of Cambridge’s Own Infantry was a regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1857, as the 8th Regiment of Punjab Infantry. It was designated as the 20th Duke of Cambridge’s Own Infantry in 1904 and became 2nd Battalion 14th Punjab Regiment in 1922...
- 7 Punjab - 3/14th Punjab22nd PunjabisThe 22nd Punjabis was 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 22nd Punjabis in 1903 and became 3rd Battalion 14th Punjab Regiment in 1922...
- 8 Punjab - 4/14th Punjab24th PunjabisThe 24th 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 22nd Punjabis in 1903 and became 3rd Battalion 14th Punjab Regiment in 1922...
- 9 Punjab - 1/15th Punjab25th PunjabisThe 25th Punjabis were an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1857, as the 17th Regiment of Punjab Infantry. It was designated as the 25th Punjabis in 1903 and became 1st Battalion 15th Punjab Regiment in 1922...
- 10 Punjab - 2/15th Punjab26th PunjabisThe 26th Punjabis were an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1857, as the 18th Regiment of Punjab Infantry. It was designated as the 26th Punjabis in 1903 and became 2nd Battalion 15th Punjab Regiment in 1922...
- 11 Punjab - 3/15th Punjab27th PunjabisThe 27th Punjabis were an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1857, as the 19th Regiment of Punjab Infantry. It was designated as the 27th Punjabis in 1903 and became 3rd Battalion 15th Punjab Regiment in 1922...
- 12 Punjab - 4/15th Punjab28th PunjabisThe 28th Punjabis were an infantry regiment in the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1857, as the 20th Regiment of Punjab Infantry. It was designated as the 28th Punjabis in 1903 and became 4th Battalion 15th Punjab Regiment in 1922...
- 13 Punjab - 1/16th Punjab30th PunjabisThe 30th Punjabis were an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1857, as the 22nd Regiment of Punjab Infantry. It was designated as the 30th Punjabis in 1903 and became 1st Battalion 16th Punjab Regiment in 1922...
- 14 Punjab - 2/16th Punjab31st PunjabisThe 31st Punjabis was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1857, as Van Cortlandt's Levy. The regiment was designated as the 31st Punjabis in 1903 and became 2nd Battalion 16th Punjab Regiment in 1922...
- 15 Punjab - 3/16th Punjab33rd PunjabisThe 33rd Punjabis was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1857, as the Allahabad Levy. It was designated as the 33rd Punjabis in 1903 and became 3rd Battalion 16th Punjab Regiment in 1922...
- 16 Punjab - 5/14th Punjab (Pathans)40th PathansThe 40th Pathans were an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1858, as the Shahjehanpur Levy. It was designated as the 40th Pathans in 1903 and became 5th Battalion 14th Punjab Regiment in 1922...
- 17 Punjab - 4/16th Punjab (Bhopal)9th Bhopal InfantryThe 9th Bhopal Infantry was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1859, as the Bhopal Levy. It was designated as the 9th Bhopal Infantry in 1903 and became 4th Battalion 16th Punjab Regiment in 1922...
- 18 Punjab - 7/1st Punjab
- 19 Punjab - 7/16th Punjab
- 20 Punjab - 14/1st Punjab
- 21 Punjab - 21 Punjab
Punjabi Regiments allocated to India
- 2nd Punjab Regiment2nd Punjab RegimentThe 2nd Punjab Regiment was a British Indian Army regiment from 1922 to the partition of India in 1947.The regiment was formed by the amalgamation of other regiments:*1st Battalion, from the 67th Punjabis, formerly the 7th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry...
1st Punjab regimental center was located at Jhelum
Jhelum
Jhelum or Jehlum may refer to:* Jhelum, a city in Pakistan on the banks of the Jhelum River* Jhelum District, an administrative division in Punjab, Pakistan surrounding the city of Jhelum...
. In early September 1947 Pakistani personnel arrived from 2nd Punjab regimental center Meerut and Indian personnel (Sikhs) were dispatched to 11 Sikh RC and Rajputs to 6 Rajputana Rifle Center.
The Punjab Regiment at its height totalled 58 battalions; however, 11 were transferred in 1980 to the Sindh Regiment
Sindh Regiment
The Sind Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Pakistan Army established on 1 July 1980. Prior to this date there had been no regiment in the Pakistan Army specifically intended to recruit primarily from the Sindhi population. It was created by the transfer of eleven battalions of The Punjab...
.
Class and religious composition
Before 1947, the ethnic composition of the Punjabi Regiment consisted of Punjabi Muslims 50%; Sikhs 25%; Rajputs 25%. After 1947, the regiment was around 50% PashtunPashtun people
Pashtuns or Pathans , also known as ethnic Afghans , are an Eastern Iranic ethnic group with populations primarily between the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and the Indus River in Pakistan...
and 50% Punjabi
Punjabi people
The Punjabi people , ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ), also Panjabi people, are an Indo-Aryan group from South Asia. They are the second largest of the many ethnic groups in South Asia. They originate in the Punjab region, which has been been the location of some of the oldest civilizations in the world including, the...
.
Modern regiment
Presently the Punjab Regiment is the largest regiment of the Pakistan ArmyPakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
with 47 battalions. They range from Mechanized Infantry to Light Anti-Tank (LAT) battalions. The Punjab Regimental Centre is located in Mardan
Mardan
Mardan , known as The city of hospitality, is a city and headquarters of Mardan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. It is the de facto headquarters of the Yousafzai tribe and the second most populous city in the province, located at 34°12'0N 72°1'60E and an altitude of in the south...
, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The current Colonel Commandant of the regiment is Lieutenant General Sardar Mahmood Ali Khan.
Since the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the Punjab Regiment has seen the appointment of four Colonel-in-Chiefs;
- Field Marshal Ayub Khan
- General Asif NawazAsif NawazGeneral Asif Nawaz Janjua, NI, HI, SBt , afwc, psc , was a senior four-star general and the 10th Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army from August 16, 1991 till January 8, 1993. His tenure was cut short by his death after suffering a heart attack...
- 2003 General Aziz Khan
- 2011 General Khalid Shameem WynneKhalid Shameem WynneGeneral Khalid Shameem Wynne, PA, NI, afwc, fsc, psc, , is a four-star general in the Pakistan Army and the current and 14th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. The official statement noted that "Gen...
Recipients of the Nishan-e-Haider
The Nishan-e-Haider (Sign Of the Lion) is the highest gallantry award awarded by Pakistan for those showing an incredible amount of valor and courage on the battle field in the face of staunch adversity. Only ten soldiers have been awarded this honour, and four of those belonged to the Punjab Regiment:- Captain Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed (1910–July 27, 1948)
- Major Tufail Muhammad ShaheedTufail MohammadTufail Mohammad was born in Hoshiarpur, Punjab and commissioned in the 16th Punjab Regiment in 1943. On 7 August 1958, Mohammad, a Company Commander in the East Pakistan Rifles, encircled an Indian post, which allegedly violated the internationally recognized boundary between the two countries, in...
(1914–August 7, 1958) - Major Raja Aziz Bhatti ShaheedAziz BhattiMajor Raja Aziz Bhatti was a Hong Kong-born Pakistan Army's Staff officer who received Pakistan's highest award for valor. He was born in Hong Kong in 1928. He moved to Pakistan before it became independent in 1947, living in the village of Ladian,Tehsil Kharian, Gujrat...
(1928–September 10, 1965) - Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz ShaheedMuhammad MahfuzLance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz Shaheed was born in Jat family of Pind Malikan in Rawalpindi District on October 25, 1944. Muhammad Mahfuz joined Pakistan Army on October 25, 1962 as an infantry soldier.-Incident leading to Martyrdom :...
(1944–December 17, 1971)
As a form of respect, deceased recipients are given the honorary title of Shaheed, which means martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
, whilst living recipients are termed Ghazi which means victor.
Famous Alumni of the Punjab Regiment
- Field Marshal Ayub Khan, N.Pk.Nishan-e-PakistanThe Nishan-e-Pakistan is the highest of civil awards and decorations given by the Government of Pakistan for the highest degree of service to the country and nation of Pakistan...
, H.Pk., HJHilal-i-JuratThe Hilal-i-Jur'at Various official sources that are highly reputable spell the name of the medal differently, so the Pakistan Army website spelling is being taken as the official spelling...
. - General Muhammad ShariffMuhammad ShariffGeneral Muhammad Shariff was retired four-star general in the Pakistan Army who was the first Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee since its inception in 1976 till his retirement in 1978...
- General Aziz Khan, NI(M), SBt, HI(M)
- General Khalid Shameem WynneKhalid Shameem WynneGeneral Khalid Shameem Wynne, PA, NI, afwc, fsc, psc, , is a four-star general in the Pakistan Army and the current and 14th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. The official statement noted that "Gen...
, PAPakistan ArmyThe Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
, NI(M) - Lieutenant General Aftab Ahmad KhanAftab Ahmad KhanLieutenant-General Aftab Ahmad Khan was a retired Pakistan Army Infantry Officer, born in Batala, Gurdaspur District, British India on Oct. 22, 1923 to the illustrious family of Khan Bahadur Mian Altaf Hussain Khan and Mehndi Begum....
- Lieutenant General Masood AslamMasood AslamLieutenant General Muhammad Masood Aslam, HI, HI, SJ, afwc, psc, is a retired three-star general who served as the principal commander of Pakistan Army fighting the pro-Taliban forces in the North-West Pakistan from 2007 to 2010...
, HI, HI(M), SJSitara-e-JuratSitara-e-Jurat is the third highest military award of Pakistan. It was established in 1957 after Pakistan became a Republic; however, it was instituted retrospectively back to 1947... - Lieutenant General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, HJHilal-i-JuratThe Hilal-i-Jur'at Various official sources that are highly reputable spell the name of the medal differently, so the Pakistan Army website spelling is being taken as the official spelling...
, MCMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.... - Major General Sher Ali Khan Pataudi, HJHilal-i-JuratThe Hilal-i-Jur'at Various official sources that are highly reputable spell the name of the medal differently, so the Pakistan Army website spelling is being taken as the official spelling...
- Lieutenant Colonel Ghulam Hussain ChaudryGhulam Hussain ChaudryLieutenant Colonel Ghulam Hussain Chaudry or Ghulam Hussain Chaudry Shaheed, HJ, born in 1926, was a Pakistan Army officer who received Hilal-i-Jurat for his action in Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He graduated from the Pakistan Military Academy as part of the 6th PMA, barely 3 years after the...
, HJHilal-i-JuratThe Hilal-i-Jur'at Various official sources that are highly reputable spell the name of the medal differently, so the Pakistan Army website spelling is being taken as the official spelling... - Major Raja Nadir PervezRaja Nadir PervezMajor Raja Nadir Pervez Khan is a Pakistani politician, ex-MP of the Parliament, and former Pakistan Army officer. A former member of the Pakistan Army's 6 Punjab Regiment, Parvez was a minister in the Nawaz Sharif government during the 1990s. He is the brother-in-law of the former Corps Commander...
, SJSitara-e-JuratSitara-e-Jurat is the third highest military award of Pakistan. It was established in 1957 after Pakistan became a Republic; however, it was instituted retrospectively back to 1947... - Major Tufail Mohammad ShaheedTufail MohammadTufail Mohammad was born in Hoshiarpur, Punjab and commissioned in the 16th Punjab Regiment in 1943. On 7 August 1958, Mohammad, a Company Commander in the East Pakistan Rifles, encircled an Indian post, which allegedly violated the internationally recognized boundary between the two countries, in...
, NHNishan-e-HaiderNishan-e-Haider or Nishan-e-Hyder is the highest military decoration given by Pakistan . It was established in 1957 after Pakistan became a Republic, however, it was instituted retrospectively from Independence in 1947... - Major Raja Aziz Bhatti ShaheedAziz BhattiMajor Raja Aziz Bhatti was a Hong Kong-born Pakistan Army's Staff officer who received Pakistan's highest award for valor. He was born in Hong Kong in 1928. He moved to Pakistan before it became independent in 1947, living in the village of Ladian,Tehsil Kharian, Gujrat...
, NHNishan-e-HaiderNishan-e-Haider or Nishan-e-Hyder is the highest military decoration given by Pakistan . It was established in 1957 after Pakistan became a Republic, however, it was instituted retrospectively from Independence in 1947... - Captain Muhammad Sarwar ShaheedMuhammad SarwarRaja Muhammad Sarwar Khan Bhati was born in Singhori village, Tehsil Gujar Khan, District of Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan. Muhammad Sarwar was a captain in the newly formed Pakistani Army. Commissioned: 1944, Punjab Regiment...
, NHNishan-e-HaiderNishan-e-Haider or Nishan-e-Hyder is the highest military decoration given by Pakistan . It was established in 1957 after Pakistan became a Republic, however, it was instituted retrospectively from Independence in 1947... - Captain Ishar SinghIshar SinghCaptain Ishar Singh VC OBI was an Indian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
, VCVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, OBEOrder of British IndiaThe Order of British India was a medal and chivalric order which was bestowed by the East India Company for "long, faithful and honourable service", beginning in 1837. The Company's powers were removed after the Indian Mutiny, and the Order was incorporated into the British honours system in 1859...
- Lieutenant Karamjeet Singh JudgeKaramjeet Singh JudgeKaramjeet Singh Judge VC was an Indian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
, VCVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
- Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz ShaheedMuhammad MahfuzLance Naik Muhammad Mahfuz Shaheed was born in Jat family of Pind Malikan in Rawalpindi District on October 25, 1944. Muhammad Mahfuz joined Pakistan Army on October 25, 1962 as an infantry soldier.-Incident leading to Martyrdom :...
, NHNishan-e-HaiderNishan-e-Haider or Nishan-e-Hyder is the highest military decoration given by Pakistan . It was established in 1957 after Pakistan became a Republic, however, it was instituted retrospectively from Independence in 1947... - Lance Naik Sher ShahSher Shah (VC)Sher Shah Awan VC was a British Indian Army soldier from the village of Chakrala, about 30km east from Mianwali, Punjab region that is now Pakistan, who received the Victoria Cross which is the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British...
, VCVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
- Naik Gian SinghGian SinghNaik Gian Singh VC was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Biography:...
, VCVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
Alliances
- The Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd, 87th and Ulster Defence Regiment); 1st Bn - The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (King's Lancashire and Border); 8th Bn - The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires)Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
"PWRR" redirects here. For the railroad with these reporting marks, see Portland and Western Railroad.The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment is the senior English line infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Queen's Division...
; 12th, 14th, 15th, 17th Bn - The Mercian Regiment
Mercian Regiment
The Mercian Regiment is an infantry regiment of the British Army, formed by the amalgamation of three existing regiments on 1 September 2007.The regiment has three regular army battalion's and one Territorial Army or reserve battalion...
; 13th Bn - The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (King's Lancashire and Border); 14th Bn
See also
- 1st Punjab Regiment1st Punjab RegimentThe 1st Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to the Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 14th, 15th and 16th Punjab Regiments in 1956, to form the Punjab Regiment....
- 14th Punjab Regiment14th Punjab RegimentThe 14th Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to the Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 1st, 15th and 16th Punjab Regiments in 1956, to form the Punjab Regiment....
- 15th Punjab Regiment15th Punjab RegimentThe 15th Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 1st, 14th and 16th Punjab Regiments in 1956 to form the Punjab Regiment....
- 16th Punjab Regiment16th Punjab RegimentThe 16th Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 1st, 14th and 15th Punjab Regiments in 1956 to form the Punjab Regiment....
- Pakistani Armed Forces
Further reading
A complete history of the Punjab Regiment was written by Brig. Gen. Syed Haider Abbas Rizvi (Ret.), entitled "Veteran campaigners: a history of the Punjab Regiment, 1759-1981 (Pakistan Army)." It was published by Wajidalis in 1984.General Asif Nawaz Janjua