Rajput State Forces to Modern Indian Army

For over a thousand years, Rajput warriors have been at the forefront of India’s military history defending forts, leading cavalry charges, and shaping battlefield strategies. During the colonial and princely era, many Rajput-led states maintained their own disciplined armies, which were later integrated into the modern Indian Army after Independence. These forces formed the backbone of several prestigious regiments such as the Rajput Regiment, Dogra Regiment, Rajputana Rifles, and Grenadiers. Their legacy continues to inspire generations of soldiers serving the nation today.

Northern Hill States and Dogra Regiment

The newly formed hill state of Uttarakhand, located east of the Yamuna River, is home to the Garhwali and Kumaoni soldiers. The largest princely state here was Tehri Garhwal, whose personnel from the Tehri Garhwal Field Company were incorporated into the 39th Garhwal Rifles of the Indian Army.

Between Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Uttarakhand lay several smaller princely states—Chamba, Mandi, Suket, Guler, Rampur, and Sirmur—all part of the recruitment ground for the Dogra fighting class. This fighting tradition extended into the Jammu region of J&K. After Indian independence, troops from these states’ forces, such as Chamba Infantry, Joginder Infantry (Mandi), Sirmur Rifles, and Suket Infantry, were amalgamated into the 16th Battalion of the Dogra Regiment.

Jammu and Kashmir Rifles

The Jammu and Kashmir Rifles trace their origins to the army established by Maharaja Gulab Singh Jamwal. The regiment’s history is decorated by legendary leaders such as General Zorawar Singh Kahluria, known for his campaigns in the Himalayas.

Western and Central India

The princely state of Mewar, regarded as the greatest in Rajputana, contributed the 1st Mewar Infantry, which later became the 9th Battalion of the Grenadiers Regiment. This unit traces its lineage back to Maharana Hammir Singh, the Gahlot-Sisodia ruler who reconquered Chittorgarh Fort in 1340 and laid the foundation of the Mewar state.

The princely states in Kutch and Saurashtra maintained a degree of independence from the British-administered Gujarat plains. Personnel from the Kutch State Forces and various Saurashtra princely armies were organized into the 7th Grenadiers Regiment. Additionally, the Saurashtra Infantry was incorporated as the 18th Battalion of the Rajputana Rifles.

The Sawai Man Guards of Jaipur State actively participated in the Jammu and Kashmir War and were subsequently designated the 17th Battalion of the Rajputana Rifles.

Rajput Regiments and Legacy Units

The Bikaner Sadul Light Infantry became the 19th Battalion of the Rajput Regiment.

The Jodhpur Sirdar Infantry, the oldest battalion in the Indian Army with origins dating to the establishment of the Rathore clan in western Rajasthan around 1212 CE, was redesignated as the 20th Battalion of the Rajput Regiment.

A notable mounted unit from Bikaner State, the Ganga Risala (Bikaner Camel Corps), was amalgamated with the Jaisalmer Risala—raised in 1948—and the combined force became the 13th Battalion of the Grenadiers Regiment.