Shako badge, 53rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry, 1844-1857

Silver plate and gilt badge in the form of a nine-pointed star surmounted by an Imperial Crown, with the regimental number, '53', in the centre within a circlet bearing the East India Company motto, 'Auspicio Regis et Senatus Ancilae' (Under the auspices of the sovereign and senate of England), and a wreath.

The 53rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry was formed in 1824 from the 1st Battalion, 27th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry. It received the battle honours 'Cabul 1842' for the 1st Afghan War (1838-1842) and 'Punjab' for the 2nd Sikh War (1848-1849). The 53rd was among the Bengal Army regiments that mutinied at Cawnpore in 1857.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.