Cap badge, 3rd Battalion, 9th Bhopal Infantry 1917-1919

Brass open-work badge in the form of the battalion number, '3', over the regimental number in Roman numerals, 'IX', above a scroll bearing the unit title, 'Bhopal Infantry'.

The Bhopal Levy was raised after the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) and was renamed the Bhopal Battalion in 1865. It participated in the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880). With the reform of the Indian Army in 1903 the unit was reorganised as the 9th Bhopal Infantry. During World War One (1914-1918) the regiment expanded to four battalions and served on the Western Front and in Mesopotamia.

The 3rd Battalion was formed at Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh in 1917. The Battalion was transported to Mesopotamia in 1918, based around Basra and Tikrit. It stayed on after the Armistice and took part in the Arab Rebellion of 1920. It was disbanded on its return to India in 1921.

In 1922 further reforms led to the regiment's amalgamation with other units to form the 16th Punjab Regiment. The 9th Bhopal Infantry formed the 4th Battalion (Bhopal) 16th Punjab Regiment. During World War Two (1939-1945) the unit fought in North Africa and in Italy, notably at Monte Cassino in 1944 where it suffered heavy casualties. With Partition in 1947, the unit became part of the Pakistan Army.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.