Cap badge, officer, 40th Pathans, 1903-1922

Silver badge, hallmarked 1916, in the form of a shield (dhal) over crossed Khyber knives (choora), surmounted by the regimental number, '40'; with a scroll below, bearing the unit title, 'Pathans'.

The 40th Pathans was formed in 1903 during a period of reform of the Indian Army. The origin of the 40th Pathans dates to the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859), and the raising of the Shahjahanpur Levy from troops loyal to Britain. In 1861, after the Mutiny, the unit was renamed the 40th Bengal Native Infantry. In 1863, the term 'Shahjehanpur' was returned to the title. In 1885, the term 'Native' was dropped from the title. In 1890 the unit became the 40th (Baluch) Bengal Infantry. From 1892 to 1901 the unit was known as the 40th (Pathan) Bengal Infantry. Reform of the Indian Army in 1901 led to the reorganisation of the unit under the title, the 40th Pathan Infantry. The unit participated in the Tibet campaign in 1904 and in World War One (1914-1918) it served on the Western Front.

Further reform in 1922 led to the amalgamation of a number of units, with the 40th Pathans becoming the 5th Battalion (Pathans), 14th Punjab Regiment. With the Partition of India the unit became part of the Pakistan Army.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.