Button, 30th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry, 1861-1901

Large gilt button by Ranken and Company, Calcutta, with regimental number, '30', surmounted by an Imperial Crown, within a wreath.

The 30th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry was originally formed in the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) as the 22nd Regiment of Punjab Infantry. It became the 34th Regiment of Bengal Infantry in 1861 and the 30th (Punjab) Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry in 1864. The term 'Native' was dropped from the title in 1885. In the reforms of the Indian Army in 1901 and 1903, the regiment became the 30th Punjab Infantry and 30th Punjabis respectively.

The regiment served in the Bhutan War (1864-1865), the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880) and the Chitral and Tirah campaigns on the North West Frontier of India, in 1895 and 1897 respectively.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.