Maratha Light Infantry
The Maratha Light Infantry is a first light infantry regiment of the Indian Army. It traces its lineage to the Bombay Sepoys, raised in 1768, making it the most senior light infantry regiment in the Indian Army. The class composition of the regiment was and is primarily formed by Maratha recruits from the former Maratha Empire. The men are mostly drawn from all over the state of Maharashtra, with some percentage from Marathi-speaking areas of Karnataka including Coorg.
Motto: Duty, Honour, Courage
War Cry: Bola Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jai (Say Victory To King Shivaji) बोला श्री छत्रपति शिवाजी महाराज की जय.
Regimental Insignia: A bugle and cords with a pair of crossed swords and a shield. They chose the bugle for their insignia, as it best represented the light infantry mode of combat by skirmishers, controlled by orders issued on the bugles. The insignia is worn with a red and green hackle.
Regimental Centre: Belgaum, Karnataka.
The regimental center has been in Belgaum, Karnataka, since 1922, which was part of the Bombay Presidency at that time. The battle cry of Maratha Light Infantry is, “Bola Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jai (Say Victory To King Shivaji)”. The regiment has the honor of being the most decorated regiment of the Indian Army and has won over 60 battle honors. In the First World War, they won 21 battle honors which were the most by any regiment.
History
The first battalion was formed in August 1768, by east India company. The Maratha Sena or nau sena both of them are second battalions of Bombay presidency.
The second battalion was also established in 1768. The third battalion of the Bombay presidency is also known as “Kali Panchwin”. The light infantry is a regiment that uses only hand rifles and top(Hindi Word).
This Regiment includes 80% of personnel from Maharashtra and remaining from Arunachal Pradesh, Chattishgarh, Gujrat, M.P, Karnataka, Telangana.
It was the oldest among the five military stations that were built during the creation of Bombay presidency and For English men's it was an administrative area.
Some Brave Stories of Maratha Light Infantry
Story 1: The Col. Saurabh Singh Shekhawat who in 2008 led an operation in Manipur without any casualties and any damage. That operation was more challenging as there was no ground for cover.
Story 2: The Col. Vasanth Venugopal was the commanding officer of the 9th battalion of Maratha infantry. He was martyred during the fight with the terrorist crossing the Indian border at URI. He always cared for his jawans. Following his trait, her wife after his death formed an organization that helps the martyred army personnel family.
Story 3: The havildar Ramesh Bahekar from 22 Maratha was deployed with 22nd Rashtriya Rifles when Indians ambushed, he killed 5 terrorists, but a gu shot. Since being injured also he made himself stood bravely and then also after that, he killed 2 more terrorists.
Story 3: The Havildar Surendra Singh belongs to 8 Marathas, currently deployed with NSGs. He won a sena medal for the operation against militants in Assam.
NOTE: A soldier not only performs on the battlefields but also in the sports field.
Story 4: Subedar Ram Pawar acclaimed as an international boxing coach and a wrestling referee. He had brought that joy, happiness, and pride to our country.
REGIMENTAL COLOUR
It was a tradition with the Maratha armies since the days of Shivaji to carry colors (The Zhenda) which used to be of saffron color. The Military Consultation of the East India Company in 1781 generally laid down the manner in which Regiments were to carry colors. Since then, till the end of the First World War, each unit carried its own colors which became the rallying point for the men of the Corps during action against the enemy. On the creation of the Maratha Group in 1922, the Red, Black, and Grey colors of the 114 Marathas which became the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre and were adopted as Regimental colors for the whole group.
Since Independence, Maratha Light Infantry has participated in every armed conflict including the operations in Jammu and Kashmir in 1947-48, the liberation of Hyderabad, Goa, Daman, and Diu, India-China war of 1962, conflicts with Pakistan in 1965 and 1971.
The soldiers of this regiment are also part of UN peacekeeping operations.
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