Madras Regiment

The Madras Regiment
Regimental Insignia of The Madras Regiment
Active1758–present
Country British India
 India
Branch British Indian Army
Indian Army
TypeLine infantry
Size21 Battalions[citation needed]
Regimental CentreWellington, Udhagamandalam (Ooty), Tamil Nadu
Motto(s)Swadharme Nidhanam Shreyaha (It is a glory to die doing one’s duty)
War cry“Veera Madrassi, Adi Kollu, Adi Kollu, Adi Kollu !”

Meaning “O Brave Madrassi, Hit And Kill, Hit And Kill, Hit And Kill !”

(The phrase "Adi... Kollu..." took from the war of the Nair army of Travancore Kingdom)
Decorations2 Victoria Crosses
8 Military Cross
1 Ashoka Chakra
5 Maha Vir Chakra
36 Vir Chakras
304 Sena Medals
1 Nao Sena Medal
15 Param Vishisht Seva Medals
9 Kirti Chakras
27 Shaurya Chakras
1 Uttam Yudh Seva Medal
2 Yudh Seva Medals
23 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals
47 Vishisht Seva Medals
151 Mention-in-Despatches
512 COAS's Commendation Cards
271 GOC-in-C's Commendation Cards
3 Jeevan Rakshak Padak
7 COAS Unit Citations
7 GOC Unit Citation
Battle honoursPost Independence Tithwal, Punch, Kalidhar, Maharajke, Siramani and Basantar River.
Commanders
Colonel of
the Regiment
Lt Gen Manjinder Singh, YSM, VSM
Insignia
Regimental InsigniaAn Assaye Elephant posed upon a shield with two crossed swords
Flag of The Regiment

The Madras Regiment is the oldest infantry regiment of the Indian Army, originating in the 1750s as a unit of the British East India Company. The regiment took part in numerous campaigns with the British Indian Army and the post-independence Indian Army. The Madras Regiment primarily recruits from the erstwhile Madras state (present-day Tamil Nadu, southern Karnataka, parts of Andhra Pradesh, and northern Kerala) and the kingdom of Mysore (present-day Karnataka). However, the 9th and 16th battalions were later formed from troops from the kingdoms of Travancore and Cochin in present day Kerala.