Waistbelt clasp, 19th (Punjab) Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry, 1861-1885

Silver and gilt waistbelt clasp with regimental number, in Roman numerals, 'IX', surmounted by an Imperial Crown, within a circlet bearing the regimental title, 'Punjaub Native Infantry'.

The 19th Punjabis was a British Indian Army infantry regiment raised at the time of the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859), as the 7th Regiment of Punjab Infantry in 1857. The regiment served on the North West Frontier in a number of campaigns including the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880).

With Lord Kitchener's reforms of the Indian Army in 1903 the unit became the 19th Punjabis. The regiment participated in the campaign in Tibet (1903) and went on to serve in Persia during World War One (1914-1918). In 1922, it formed the 1st Battalion of the 14th Punjab Regiment. With the Partition of India in 1947, the regiment became part of the Pakistan Army.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.