Pugri badge, 35th Sikhs, 1903-1922

White metal badge in the form of a quoit surmounted by a King's Crown; in the centre, the open-work regimental number in Roman numerals, 'XXXV'.

The pugri or pagri is a form of headdress.

Quoits, or chakram, are a traditional edged weapon from the Indian subcontinent, particularly associated with Sikh fighters. They take the form of a flattened metal ring of varying circumference, with a sharpened outer edge, which can be thrown or used in hand-to-hand combat.

The 35th (Sikh) Regiment of Bengal Infantry was raised at Ferozepore in 1887 by Lieutenant-Colonel David William Inglis. It participated in the Malakand campaign (1897-1898). With reform of the Indian Army it became the 35th Sikh Infantry in 1901 and the 35th Sikhs in 1903. In 1922 the unit formed the 10th Battalion 11th Sikh Regiment.

The 35th (Sikh) Regiment of Bengal Infantry was stationed in India during World War One (1914-1918) but did supply men to other units serving in Europe and the Middle East. The regiment served in the 3rd Afghan War in 1919.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.