Button, 2nd Queen Victoria's Own Rajput Light Infantry, pre-1922

Small, bi-metal button by Hobson and Sons, with the regimental number, '2', over a bugle horn with knotted cords.

The 2nd Regiment of Bengal Native (Light) Infantry was a successor unit of the 31st Bengal Native Infantry and a predecessor unit of the 2nd Regiment of Rajput Infantry which became the 7th Rajput Regiment in 1922.

The 31st Bengal Native Infantry which fought in the 1st Afghan War (1838-1842) and the 2nd Sikh War (1848-1849) remained loyal to the British during the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859). In 1876 the regiment became the 2nd (Queen's Own) Regiment of Bengal Native Light Infantry. The unit participated in the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880) and the 3rd China War (Boxer Rebellion) (1900-1901). The regiment served in India, Mesopotamia and Egypt during World War One (1914-1918). In 1922 it was amalgamated with four other regiments to form the 7th Rajputs as part of a reorganisation of the Indian Army.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.