Helmet badge, Malabar Volunteer Rifles, 1885-1901

White metal badge in the form of a Maltese Cross with the initials, 'M', 'V' and 'R' on te arms; in the centre a tiger, within a crowned circlet inscribed with the unit title, 'Malabar Volunteer Rifles'.

Malabar is a coastal region in south-west India and was part of the Madras Presidency under British rule. The Malabar Volunteer Rifles was an auxiliary unit raised in 1885. The unit was amalgamated with the Nilgiri Volunteer Rifles to become the 20th Nilgiri Malabar Battalion in 1917.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.