Pugri badge, 14th Regiment of Bengal Infantry (The Ferozepore Sikhs), pre-1901

White metal badge in the form of a quoit, surmounted by an Imperial Crown, encircling the open-work regimental number, in Roman numerals, 'XIV', above the title, 'Sikhs', in the centre.

The pugri or pagri is a form of headdress. Quoits, or chakram, are a traditional edged weapon from the Indian subcontinent, particularly associated with Sikh fighters. They take the form of a flattened metal ring of varying circumference, with a sharpened outer edge, which can be thrown or used in hand-to-hand combat.

The 14th Sikhs was originally formed in 1846 as the Regiment of Ferozepore. Ferozepore, now Firozpur in modern India, is a town in the state of Punjab. During British rule the town was the site of a large military base.

The regiment stayed loyal to the British during the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) and served in the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880). The 14th Regiment of Bengal Infantry (The Ferozepore Sikhs) served in the 3rd China War (Boxer Rebellion), in 1900. As the 14th King George's Own Ferozepore Sikhs, the regiment served in Gallipoli and Mesopotamia during World War One (1914-1918).

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.