Pugri badge, 1st Battalion, 4th Bombay Grenadiers, 1922-1950

Bi-metal badge with a flaming grenade superimposed with left facing horse.

The pugri or pagri is a form of headdress.

Raised in 1778, the 1st Grenadiers served in the Mysore Wars, the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880) and the 3rd Burma War (1885-1887). The Regiment was renumbered the 101st Grenadiers in 1903.

During World War One (1914-1918), the 101st Grenadiers fought in East Africa, the Middle East and the Palestine campaign. In 1922, the 101st became the 1st Battalion, 4th Bombay Grenadiers, a unit formed from the amalgamation of the 101st, the 102nd King Edward's Grenadiers and four other regiments.

The 4th Bombay Grenadiers adopted a brass grenade and white metal numeral 4 as a badge. However, in the first battalion officers continued to wear the grenade of the 101st Grenadiers, Viceroy's Commissioned Officers and other ranks wore a small grenade with a white horse on the ball.

During World War Two (1939-1945) the 1st Battalion, 4th Bombay Grenadiers fought in the Middle East and North Africa. In 1945 the regiment was redesignated the Indian Grenadiers.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.