Cap badge, 1st Punjab Regiment, 1922-1947

Bi-metal badge with an elephant above a cartouche bearing the battle honour, 'Assaye', above a Chinese dragon, surmounted by a curved scroll bearing the unit title, '1st Punjab Regiment'; all on a rayed ground with a King's Crown.

The 1st Punjab Regiment was created as part of a reorganisation of the Indian Army in 1922. Its first battalions were formed from six Indian Army regiments: the 1st Brahmans and the 62nd, 66th, 76th, 82nd and 84th Punjabis. The regiment was expanded during World War Two (1939-1945) and its battalions fought in various theatres including North Africa, Italy and the Far East. The regiment was transferred to the Pakistan Army in 1947, after the Partition of India.

This badge's elephant emblem and battle honour refer to the regiment's forebear units' involvement in the Battle of Assaye in 1803, during the 2nd Maratha War (1803-1805). The dragon emblem acknowledges service in the 1st China War (1839-1842).

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.