Button, 19th Punjab Native Infantry, pre-1885

Large gilt button made by Ranken and Company, Calcutta, with a crown over the regimental number, 'XIX', in the centre of a circlet inscribed with the title, 'Punjab Native Infantry'.

The 19th Punjabis was a British Indian Army infantry regiment raised as the 7th Regiment of Punjab Infantry in 1857, at the time of the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859). The regiment served on the North West Frontier in a number of campaigns including the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880).

With Lord Kitchener's reforms of the Indian Army in 1903 the unit became the 19th Punjabis. The regiment participated in the campaign in Tibet (1903) and went on to serve in Persia during World War One (1914-1918). In 1922, it formed the 1st Battalion of the 14th Punjab Regiment. With the Partition of India in 1947, the regiment became part of the Pakistan Army.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.