A brief history of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment

by Anonymous

A force consisting of the light companies of the 44th and 54th Foot and of the 16th Madras Native Infantry, and four companies of the 1st Bengal Light Infantry Battalion, marched in May, 1825, to endeavour to find a route across to the Irrawaddi River, by which the force at Arracan could join hands with the main army from Rangoon. After terrible hardships they were forced to return, nearly every man being sick. The unhealthiness of the country may be judged by the fact that on October 1st, 1825, the Battalion only had 108 men fit for duty and 644 sick. Between June 16th, 1824, and January 31st, 1826, the Battalion lost by death 7 officers, 5 native officers, and 148 other ranks and 15 followers. Some Battalions did not have a single man available for duty.

The expedition had been successful in the conquest of the province of Arracan, but failed in its principal object, that of penetrating to the valley of the Irrawaddy.

The troops were withdrawn later, the Battalion landing in Madras in January, 1826, and proceeding to Vellore.

The battle honour “Ava” was granted for services in this campaign.

1830.

In 1830 the 16th was one of the Battalions selected to have a rifle company, on the disbandment of the Madras Rifle Corps.

1839: Capture of Kurnool.

1843.

1844: Operations in the Sawunt Warree.

From 1826 to 1839 the Battalion was employed in the ordinary routine of garrison duty in various parts of the Madras Presidency and Hyderabad State. In the latter year it formed part of the force under Major-General Wilson for the reduction of the fort and petty sovereignty of Kurnool. This having been effected, the Battalion was left to garrison the fortress until 1843, when it was ordered to Belgaum in the Southern Mahratta country, to replace the Bombay troops employed in the conquest of Scinde. While stationed there, the Rifle Company greatly distinguished itself in the Light Field Force under Major-General Delamotte, employed in suppressing the insurgents in the Sawunt Warree country, and took part in the capture of several forts.