Button, 6th Jat Light Infantry, 1903-1922

Large, brass, circular button by Ranken and Company, with a bugle horn, with the regimental number, '6', between the knotted cords, surmounted by a King's Crown.

The 6th Bengal Native (Light) Infantry was formed in 1861, formed from the 43rd Regiment Bengal Native Infantry (previously the 1st Battalion, 22nd Bengal Native Infantry) which had remained loyal during the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859). The regiment served in the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880).

In 1885 the unit became the 6th Regiment of Bengal (Light) Infantry and, in 1897, it was renamed the 6th (Jat) Regiment of Bengal (Light) Infantry. The Jats were one of the supposed 'martial races' of northern India. These were ethnic groups believed by the British to possess warlike qualities that made them ideal recruits for the Indian Army.

The 6th Jats served in China during the 3rd China War, or Boxer Rebellion, (1900-1901). From 1901 to 1922 the unit was known as the 6th Jat Light Infantry. The regiment served on the Western Front and Mesopotamia during World War One (1914-1918), suffering heavy casualties in the former theatre. With the reform of the Indian Army in 1921 the regiment became the 1st Battalion, 9th Jat Regiment, the Royal Jats.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.