Pugri badge, 34th (Punjab) Regiment of Bengal Infantry (Pioneers), 1887-1901

Silver badge with regimental number, '34', on a red enamel ground,within a garter bearing the unit title, 'Punjab Pioneers', surmounted by a Guelphic Crown, with crossed axes below; all on a sunburst.

The pugri or pagri is a form of headdress.

The Indian Army's pioneer regiments fulfilled an engineering role but were also trained as assault infantry.

The 34th (Punjab) Bengal Infantry (Pioneers) was raised at Lahore in 1887 and served in a number of campaigns on the North West Frontier of India. In 1901 the regiment became the 34th Punjab Pioneers. In 1903 the unit was renamed again, becoming the 34th Sikh Pioneers. The 34th served on the Western Front and in Mesopotamia during World War One (1914-1918). In 1921 the unit became the 34th Royal Sikh Pioneers and in 1922, the 3rd Sikh Pioneers 3rd Royal Battalion. The unit was amalgamated in 1929, becoming part of the Corps of Sikh Pioneers.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.