Cap badge, officer, 9th Madras Infantry, pre-1901

Bi-metal badge with an oared galley within a garter inscribed in Persian with the motto, 'Khushki Wuh Tarri', surmounted by an Imperial Crown, surrounded by a wreath with scrolls bearing the battle honours, 'Carnatic', 'Sholonghur', 'Mysore', 'Ava' and 'Pegu'.

The 9th Madras Infantry had its origins in the 1760s with the creation of the 10th Coast Sepoys which evolved into the 9th Regiment Madras Native Infantry. The 9th Madras Infantry became the 69th Punjabis in 1903, which became the 2nd Battalion 2nd Punjab Regiment in 1922.

The 9th Madras Infantry and its successor units retained the emblem of the oared galley, given to their forebear unit in 1839, to mark a willingness to serve overseas. This reputation is supported by the battle cry of the unit, 'Khushki Wuh Tarri', Persian for, 'By Land and Sea'.

The battle honour 'Sholinghur' relates to the unit's participation in the 2nd Mysore War (1780-1784); 'Mysore' and 'Carnatic' refer to the 3rd Mysore War (1790-1792) and 'Ava' and 'Pegu' to the Regiment's service in the 2nd Burma War (1852-1853).

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.