Drummer, 38th Dogras, 1907

Watercolour by Major Alfred Crowdy Lovett (1862-1919), 1907.

The 38th Dogra Infantry originated as an irregular force, the Agra Levy, raised in 1858. In 1864 the unit became the 38th (Agra) Regiment, Bengal Native Infantry. As the 38th (Dogra) Regiment, Bengal Infantry, the regiment took part in the Malakand campaign of 1895. Renamed the 38th Dogra Infantry in 1901, the unit served on the North West Frontier of India until 1917. The regiment served in the Middle East in 1918, fighting at the Battle of Megiddo in September. The regiment left Egypt in 1920 to return to India. Reform of the Indian Army led to the transition of the unit into the 17th Dogra Regiment's 2nd Battalion, in 1922. After the Partition of India the regiment became part of the Indian Army.