Infantry of the Indian Army
| Infantry | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1758–present |
| Country |  British India India |
| Allegiance | Republic of India |
| Branch | .svg.png){kind=small} British East India Company British Indian Army Indian Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Regimental colours | Red |
| Anniversaries | 27 October (Infantry Day) |
The Infantry of the Indian Army is the largest arm of the Indian Army. It consists of personnel, who historically have engaged in ground combat on foot. It presently also consists of mechanised and airborne infantry.
History
The infantry was historically the first combat arm in any army. The present regiments of the Indian Army trace their origin to the British East India Company, when Indians were employed to protect their trading stations. From the middle of the eighteenth century, the three presidencies of the company began to maintain armies at Calcutta (Bengal Army), Madras (Madras Army) and Bombay (Bombay Army). The presidency armies had their own Regiments and cadre of European officers. There were European regiments, where both the officers and men were Europeans, as well as 'Native' regiments, which were officered by Europeans, but the other ranks were Indians. The recruitment of Indians was usually done locally, with battalions each drawn from single castes, or and from specific communities or geographical areas. This pattern of recruitment continues to this day in many of the older regiments. Following the Indian Rebellion of 1857, 55 out of 70 infantry regiments of the Bengal Army were disbanded and more infantry regiment raised from Punjab and those including Gorkhas. Indian troops maintained internal security in the country, fought for the defence of the North-West Frontier and were sent abroad to take part many conflict zones of the British empire. The infantrymen subsequently served in the two world wars with distinction.[1][2][3]
Regimental organisation
Each regiment consists of more than one infantry battalion. A battalion is commanded by an officer of the rank of Colonel. The battalion is further divided into four rifle companies, one headquarters company and at times a support company. Each company is commanded by an officer of the rank of a Major or a Captain. A company will have three platoons, which in turn will have three sections. In addition, each battalion has a Ghatak platoon, which is a special operations capable reconnaissance platoon. An infantry battalion usually has a strength of 15-20 officers and 650-800 other ranks. The latter includes Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and other ranks (ORs).[4][5][6]
New formations and units
From 2025, keeping in nature of the evolving nature of the battlefield, a drone platoon would be introduced to each infantry battalion in the service. Each 'Ashni drone platoon' would employ 20–25 soldiers and be equipped with loitering munitions and drones to perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) roles.[7][8][9] In addition, 'Bhairav Light Commando Battalions' are being raised. This battalion would have a strength of 250 personnel, including 78 officers, which is much lesser than that of a standard infantry battalion or a Parachute Regiment battalion, which include 800 and 620 soldiers each.[10] These agile and compact battalions, evolving from the Ghatak platoon concept, are designed as shock troops to undertake clandestine missions or deliver surprise strikes under high-risk conditions beyond the enemy lines to inflict maximum damage.[11]
Regiments
The Indian Army has four types of regiments based on class composition[12][13] -
- Single Class- These regiments have troops from a single class, e.g. Dogra Regiment. This group also includes three scout units (highlighted in green), which are affiliated with an existing regiment. These units includes recruits only from a small geographical area and have a role of serving only in the border region from where they have been raised.
- Fixed Class - They are composed of troops from two or more ethnic groups. The sub-units have troops from a single ethnic group e.g. Rajputana Rifles are recruited primarily from Jat and Rajput populations.
- Mixed Fixed Class - They are similar to the Fixed Class regiments but the sub-units have troops from more than one ethnicity. e.g. the Punjab Regiment comprises Sikhs, Punjabis and Dogras but all function in mixed sub-units.
- All India All Class- These units contain a heterogeneous mix of all Indian classes and are generally those units, which have been raised after independence. e.g. Brigade of the Guards.
Based on role, the regiments can be classified as-
- Regular infantry
- Airborne infantry
- Mechanised Infantry
The regiments, date of formation, regimental centre, number of battalions (regular, Territorial Army (TA) and Rashtriya Rifles (RR), motto and war cry are as follows.[12]
- Regular and airborne infantry
| Regiment | Active from | Regimental centre | Reg. Bn. | TA Bn. | RR Bn. | Motto | War cry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madras Regiment | 1758 | Wellington Cantonment, Tamil Nadu | 21 | 3 | 4 | "Swadharme nidhanam shreyah" ("it is a glory to die doing one's duty") | "Vira Madrasi, adi kollu, adi kollu" ("brave Madrasi, strike and kill, strike and kill!") |
| Rajputana Rifles | 1775 | Delhi Cantonment | 19 | 2 | 4 | "Virabhogya vasundhara" ("the brave shall inherit the earth") | "Raja Ramachandra ki jai" ("victory to King Ramachandra") |
| Rajput Regiment | 1778 | Fatehgarh, Uttar Pradesh | 20 | 2 | 4 | "Sarvatra vijay" ("victory everywhere") | "Bol Bajrang Bali ki jai" ("say victory to Lord Hanuman") |
| Dogra Regiment | 1877 | Ayodhya Cantonment, Uttar Pradesh | 20¶ | 4 | 4 | "Kartavyam anvatma" ("duty before death") | "Jwala Mata ki jai" ("victory to Goddess Jwala") |
| Sikh Regiment | 1846 | Ramgarh Cantonment, Jharkhand | 20 | 3 | 3 | "Nishchay kar apni jit karun" ("with determination, I will be triumphant") | "Bole so nihal, Sat Shri Akal" ("shout aloud in ecstasy, true is the great eternal God!") "Waheguruji ka khalsa, Waheguruji ki fateh" ("the khalsa of Waheguru is victorious") |
| Jat Regiment | 1795 | Bareilly Cantonment, Uttar Pradesh | 22 | 2 | 4 | "Sangathan wa virata" ("unity and valour") | "Jat balwan, jai bhagwan" ("the Jat is strong, victory to God") |
| Parachute Regiment | 1945 | Bangalore Cantonment, Karnataka | 15 | 2 | 1 | "Shatrujit" ("the conqueror") | "Balidana param dharma" ("sacrifice, supreme duty") |
| Punjab Regiment | 1761 | Ramgarh Cantonment, Jharkhand | 21 | 3 | 4 | "Sthal wa jal" ("by land and sea") | "Bole so nihal, Sat Shri Akal" ("shout aloud in ecstasy, true is the great eternal God!"); "Jwala Mata ki jai" ("victory to Goddess Jwala") |
| The Grenadiers | 1778 | Jabalpur Cantonment, Madhya Pradesh | 23 | 2 | 4 | "Nam, namak, nishan" ("name, salt, mark") | "Sarvada shaktishali" ("always strong") |
| Sikh Light Infantry | 1944 | Fatehgarh, Uttar Pradesh | 19 | 3 | 3 | "Deg tegh fateh" ("victory to charity and arms") | "Bole so nihal, Sat Shri Akal" ("shout aloud in ecstasy, true is the great eternal God!") |
| Maratha Light Infantry | 1768 | Belgaum Cantonment, Karnataka | 22 | 2 | 4 | "Duty, honour, courage" | "Bola Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ki jai ("say victory to King Shivaji); "Temlai Mata ki jai" ("victory to Goddess Temlai"); Hara Hara Mahadeva ("hail to Lord Shiva") |
| Garhwal Rifles | 1887 | Lansdowne, Uttarakhand | 21¶ | 2 | 3 | "Yuddhaya kritanishchayah" ("fight with determination") | "Badrivishal lal ki jai" ("victory to the sons of great Lord Badrinath") |
| Kumaon Regiment | 1813 | Ranikhet, Uttarakhand | 20¶ | 2 | 3 | "Parakramo vijayate" ("valour triumphs") | "Kalika Mata ki jai" ("victory to Goddess Kali"); "Bajrang Bali ki jai" ("victory to Lord Hanuman"); "Dada Kishan ki jai" ("victory to Lord Krishna") |
| Assam Regiment | 1941 | Shillong Cantonment, Meghalaya | 15 | 5 | 3 | "Assam vikram" ("unique valour") | "Rhino charge" |
| Bihar Regiment | 1941 | Danapur Cantonment, Bihar | 22 | 2 | 4 | "Karma hi dharma" ("work is worship") | "Bajrang Bali ki jai" ("victory to Lord Hanuman"); "Birsa Munda ki jai" ("victory to Birsa Munda") |
| Mahar Regiment | 1815 | Sagar Cantonment, Madhya Pradesh | 21 | 3 | 3 | "Yash siddhi" ("success and attainment") | "Bolo Hindustan ki jai" ("say victory to India") |
| Jammu and Kashmir Rifles | 1821 | Jabalpur Cantonment, Madhya Pradesh | 23 | 3 | 3 | "Prashasta ranavirata" ("valour in battle is praiseworthy") | "Durga Mata ki jai" ("victory to Goddess Durga") |
| Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry | 1947 | Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir | 15 | 3 | - | "Balidanam vira lakshanam " ("sacrifice is a characteristic of the brave") | "Bharat Mata ki jai" ("victory to Mother India") |
| Naga Regiment | 1970 | Ranikhet, Uttarakhand | 3 | 1 | 1 | "Parakramo vijayate" ("valour triumphs") | "Jai Durga Naga" ("victory to Durga Naga") |
| 1st Gorkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment) | 1815 | Sabathu, Himachal Pradesh | 6 | 1§ | "Kayar hunu bhanda marnu ramro" ("better to die than live like a coward") | "Jai Ma Kali, ayo Gorkhali" ("hail Mother Kali, here come the Gorkhas") | |
| 3rd Gorkha Rifles | 1815 | Varanasi Cantonment, Uttar Pradesh | 5 | 1§ | 1§ | "Kayar hunu bhanda marnu ramro" ("better to die than live like a coward") | "Jai Ma Kali, ayo Gorkhali" ("hail Goddess Kali, here come the Gorkhas") |
| 4th Gorkha Rifles | 1857 | Sabathu, Himachal Pradesh | 5 | 1§ | "Kayar hunu bhanda marnu ramro" ("better to die than live like a coward") | "Jai Ma Kali, ayo Gorkhali" ("hail Goddess Kali, here come the Gorkhas") | |
| 5th Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) | 1858 | Shillong Cantonment, Meghalaya | 6 | 1§ | "Shaurya evam nishtha" ("courage and determination") | "Jai Ma Kali, ayo Gorkhali" ("hail Goddess Kali, here come the Gorkhas") | |
| 8th Gorkha Rifles | 1824 | Shillong Cantonment, Meghalaya | 5 | 1§ | "Kayar hunu bhanda marnu ramro" ("better to die, than live like a coward") | "Jai Ma Kali, ayo Gorkhali" ("hail Goddess Kali, here come the Gorkhas") | |
| 9th Gorkha Rifles | 1817 | Varanasi Cantonment, Uttar Pradesh | 5 | 1§ | 1§ | "Kayar hunu bhanda marnu ramro" ("better to die, than live like a coward") | Jai Ma Kali, Ayo Gorkhali ("hail Goddess Kali, here come the Gorkhas") |
| 11th Gorkha Rifles | 1918–1922; from 1948 | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | 6 | 1 | "Yatraham vijayastatra" ("victory resides where I reside") | "Jai Ma Kali, Ayo Gorkhali ("hail Goddess Kali, here come the Gorkhas") | |
| Ladakh Scouts | 1963 | Leh, Ladakh | 5 | "Ki ki so so lhargyalo" ("victory to God") | |||
| Arunachal Scouts | 2010 | Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh | 2 | ||||
| Sikkim Scouts | 2013 | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | 2 |
¶ The Dogra Regiment, Garhwal Rifles, Kumaon Regiment have a scout battalion each, in addition to the above-mentioned battalions. Arunachal Scouts is affiliated to Assam Regiment, Ladakh Scouts to Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and Sikkim Scouts is to 11 Gorkha Rifles.
§ Since the Gorkha Regiments have relatively smaller number of battalions, 1 Gorkha Rifles and 4 Gorkha Rifles provide troops for 15 Rashtriya Rifles battalion, 3 Gorkha Rifles and 9 Gorkha Rifles for 32 Rashtriya Rifles battalion, and 5 Gorkha Rifles and 8 Gorkha Rifles for 33 Rashtriya Rifles battalion. 3 Gorkha Rifles and 9 Gorkha Rifles are affiliated to 137 Composite Eco-Task Force Battalion (Territorial Army).
- Mechanised infantry
| Regiment | Active from | Regimental centre | Reg. Bn. | TA Bn. | RR Bn. | Motto | War cry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brigade of the Guards | 1949 | Kamptee, Maharashtra | 22 | 2 | 1 | "Pehla hamesha pehla ("first, always first") | "Garud ka hun bol pyare" ("I am the son of Garuda, say my friend") |
| Mechanised Infantry Regiment | 1979 | Ahmednagar, Maharashtra | 27 | "Valour and faith" | "Bolo Bharat Mata ki jai" ("say victory to Mother India") |
Infantry School
The Infantry School is the oldest and largest training institution of the Indian Army, training over 7,000 Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers annually.[14][15] The origin of the present school can be traced to The School of Musketry at Changla Gali (now in Pakistan), which was established in the year 1886. Between 1886 and 1948, before it inherited its present name and came to be located at Mhow, Madhya Pradesh,[16] it passed through various names and locations:[17] -
| Year | Name | Loc |
|---|---|---|
| 1886 | School of Musketry | Changla Gali |
| 1888 | School of Musketry | Deolali |
| 1913 | School of Musketry | Satara and Belgaum |
| 1919 | Small Arms School | Pachmarhi |
| 1931 | Small Arms School | Ahmednagar |
| 1933 | Small Arms School | Saugar |
| 1935 | Indian NCO Training School | Jhansi |
| 1937 | Indian Infantry Platoon Commander's School | Faizabad |
| 1940 | Battle School and Tactics and Administration School | Dehradun |
| 1948 | Infantry School | Mhow |
In 1964, the Commando Wing was raised under The Infantry School in Mhow, which along with the Platoon Commanders' Wing was moved to Belgaum (Karnataka) under Junior Leaders' Wing. In 1971, The College of Combat was carved out of The Infantry School. In 1993, Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) was raised under The Infantry School, as a consequence of which the erstwhile Army Shooting Team (AST) was reorganised into AMU. The shooters of AMU are trained in precision shooting and have secured recognition at both national and international levels.[18]
The Infantry School has three training wings namely Weapons and Trial Wing, Young Officers Wing and Junior Leaders Wing (at Belgaum). The Faculty of Studies (FOS) raised in 1992 undertakes conceptual studies. Trials of Infantry weapons, ammunition and equipment are also carried out at The Infantry School. A modern and a well-developed information technology setup at The Infantry School is utilized to provide latest training on IT and cyber awareness. The Infantry Museum and Research Centre has also been established in 2019.
The Infantry School is the alma mater of all infantrymen and is cradle for Infantry tactics and small arms training for the Indian Army. It is the seat of learning and the think tank of the Infantry. It keeps abreast with the tactical and technical development in India and abroad on all matters pertaining to the Infantry war fighting. The following courses are conducted at the Infantry School[19] -
- Young Officers Course
- Platoon Weapon Course
- Mortar Course
- Anti Tank and Guided Missile Course
- Medium Machine gun and Automatic Grenade launcher Course
- Section Commanders Course
- Automatic Data Processing Course
- Sniper Course, and
- Support Weapon Course
The Infantry School crest consists of a bayonet against a red background. The motto of The Infantry School is – Vijayen Gyanen Shauryen which translates to Victory through Learning and Courage.[20]
Infantry Day
Infantry Day (Shaurya Diwas) is celebrated on 27 October every year to commemorate the landing of infantry troops at Srinagar airport in 1947. This momentous act turned back the Pakistani invaders from the outskirts of Srinagar and was a turning point in the 1947 War.[21][22]
Journal
The Infantry (India) Journal is the professional journal of the Infantry fraternity. It was first published in 1950.[23]
See also
References
- ↑ "Brief History of the Pre-Partition Indian Army". 19 August 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ↑ Shrivastava, VK; Bakshi, GD (2000). Infantry, a Glint of the Bayonet. Lancer Publishers. ISBN 978-8170622840.
- ↑ Jackson, Donovan (1940). India's Army. Sampson Low, Marston & Co Ltd.
- ↑ "Know The Indian Army-A Basic Fact-file On The Organisation And Structure Of Infantry Regiments". 22 June 2020. Archived from the original on 20 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ↑ "Know Your Army: Structure". Official Indian Army Web Portal. Archived from the original on 24 December 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ↑ "Outline Organisation of a Standard Infantry Battalion". 4 January 2016. Archived from the original on 20 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- ↑ "'Shaktiban regiment' of Indian Army: What it is? What will it do?". The Week. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ Singh, Rahul (22 October 2025). "New weapons, specialist units to boost army's capabilities". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
- ↑ "Army transforming its 382 infantry battalions with new weapons & drone platoons". The Times of India. 23 October 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
- ↑ "Bhairav commandos to add muscle to Army by October 31". The Times of India. 30 August 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- ↑ Banerjee, Ajay (28 July 2025). "'Rudra' to power up brigades for future wars". The Tribune. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- 1 2 "Infantry Regiments: The cutting edge of Soldiering". 24 January 2018. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ↑ "Demand for new caste-, faith- or ethnicity-based regiments for Indian Army not in consonance with policy or national interest". 22 April 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ "The Infantry School". 23 August 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ↑ "A school for the courageous". 17 July 2014. Archived from the original on 19 February 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ↑ "The Infantry School". Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ↑ "Raising of The Infantry School". Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ↑ "The Army Marksmanship Unit". Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ↑ "INFANTRY SCHOOL, MHOW (page 132)" (PDF). Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ↑ "Cradle Of Leadership : Foot Soldiers for the Morrow". 1 May 2017. Archived from the original on 21 January 2025. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
- ↑ "Indian Army Celebrates 76th Infantry Day". 27 October 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ↑ "Indian Army Commemorates Infantry Day - 79th Shaurya Diwas". 27 October 2025. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
- ↑ "The Infantry (India) Journal". Retrieved 13 August 2024.
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