The Madras Regiment | |
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Active | 1758–present |
Country | British India India |
Branch | British Indian Army Indian Army |
Type | Line infantry |
Size | 21 Battalions[citation needed] |
Regimental Centre | Wellington, 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) |
Decorations | 2 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 honours | Post Independence Tithwal, Punch, Kalidhar, Maharajke, Siramani and Basantar River. |
Commanders | |
Colonel of the Regiment | Lt Gen Manjinder Singh, YSM, VSM |
Insignia | |
Regimental Insignia | An 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.