Princely States Contribution to the Indian Army

Early Officers and Integration

The first Indian officers recruited into the British Indian Army in 1905 predominantly hailed from aristocratic princely families. Notable early officers included Zorawar Singh of Bhavnagar, Wali-ud-din Khan of Paigah in Hyderabad, Kanwar Amar Singh IV of Kanota in Jaipur, and Aga Kassim Shah, nephew of the Aga Khan. Although princely states maintained internal autonomy, their military forces closely mirrored the organizational structure of the British Indian Army. Post-Independence, these forces were merged into the Indian Army regiments based on shared recruitment regions.

Eastern India

Prior to the Revolt of 1857, the East India Company (EIC) primarily recruited soldiers from Eastern India. Afterward, recruitment shifted to Northern and Western India. The Eastern States Agency included princely states such as Cooch Behar (West Bengal), Mayurbhanj (Odisha), Tripura (Northeast), and Surguja (Chhattisgarh), all maintaining small armies. Some states contributed troops to the Imperial Service Troops; for example, Manipur provided a double company of soldiers and labor corps in World War I. The 1st Tripura Bir Bikram Manikya Rifles and Tripura Mahabir Legion fought in the Burma campaign during World War II.

Following independence, these princely state armies in Eastern India were disbanded, with their forces not absorbed into newly formed regiments like the Bihar or Assam Regiments. Several militant and communist groups later claimed to have sourced recruits and arms from these disbanded forces.

Southern India

British expansion into Southern India centered on the Madras Presidency, where local recruits initially joined EIC forces. Eventually, recruitment focused on Northern and Western Indians, leaving the Madras Regiment as the primary unit recruiting south of the Krishna River. Infantry battalions from Mysore, Travancore, and Cochin princely states were merged into the Madras Regiment post-Independence. For instance, the 1st Travancore Nair Infantry became the 9th Battalion, and battalions from Cochin and Mysore states were similarly integrated.

Hyderabad, the largest princely state in Southern India, had a diverse State Forces comprising Deccani Muslims, Marathas, mercenaries, Rajputs, Jats, Ahirs, and Kumaonis. After Operation Polo and Hyderabad’s annexation in 1948, most of the Hyderabad State Forces were disbanded except the 2nd Hyderabad Infantry. This unit became the 22nd Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry, retaining a mixed composition of Muslim and Maratha soldiers. Other battalions from princely states like Kolhapur and Baroda also became part of the Maratha Light Infantry.

Northern India

Northern India’s plains and Himalayan foothills supplied the bulk of the Indian Army’s recruits. Jammu and Kashmir’s State Forces distinguished themselves during the 1947 Pakistani invasion and were merged into the Indian Army as the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles.

Sikh princely states—Patiala, Faridkot, Nabha, Kapurthala, and Jind—each raised infantry regiments that became integral battalions of the Punjab Regiment after independence. The Patiala troops notably participated in the defense of Jammu and Kashmir during the 1947 conflict.

Uttarakhand’s Tehri state contributed personnel to the 39th Garhwal Rifles, while other hill states such as Chamba, Mandi, Suket, Rampur, and Sirmur provided soldiers for the Dogra Regiment.

Western and Central India

The princely states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh had strong cavalry traditions and indigenous horse breeds, maintaining military independence during Islamic invasions. Under British rule, their forces modernized and contributed infantry battalions to Indian Army regiments such as the Rajput Regiment, Rajputana Rifles, Grenadiers, and Jat Regiment.

Mewar State contributed the 1st Mewar Infantry, which became the 9th Battalion of the Grenadiers. Maratha-founded states like Gwalior and Indore supplied troops who joined Kumaon Regiment battalions after independence.

Princely states in Kutch and Saurashtra contributed units to the 7th Grenadiers and Rajputana Rifles. Jaipur’s Sawai Man Guards became the 17th Battalion of the Rajputana Rifles.

From Bikaner State, the Ganga Risala (Camel Corps) merged with the Jaisalmer Risala to form the 13th Grenadiers, while the Jodhpur Sirdar Infantry became the 20th Battalion of the Rajput Regiment. The Bikaner Sadul Light Infantry became the 19th Battalion.

Role in Post-Independence Conflicts

Even before formal amalgamation, many units from princely states actively participated in the 1947–48 Jammu and Kashmir conflict, protecting borders and assisting refugees displaced by Partition.