81-685: The Maratha Light Infantry is a 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 were mostly drawn from all over the state of Maharashtra , with some percentage from Marathi -speaking areas of Karnataka including Coorg . As of 2000,
162-1009: A beret in a darker shade of green than other regiments. Two paramilitary forces—the Assam Rifles and the Eastern Frontier Rifles —also follow the traditions of a rifle regiment. The Irish famously employed "Cethernacht" or Kern as light infantry. These usually made up the bulk of Gaelic and even later Anglo Norman Irish armies during the Middle Ages to renaissance era's. Traditionally armed with javelins and swords while wearing no armour, in later periods they were equipped with caliver muskets while still using little to no armour. They were notably effective while employed in tandem with heavily armed "Galloglaich" or anglicised Gallowglass. They could provide effective support to heavily armed troops as well as endlessly harassing enemies in difficult terrain. Today, all infantry battalions of
243-626: A corps of light infantry, under the command of General Lafayette . The light infantry participated in several major battles of the southern states in 1781, including the Battle of Yorktown . The entire Continental Army was dismissed after the war, with all regiments disbanded in 1784. In 1808, the United States Army created its first Regiment of Riflemen . During the War of 1812 three more Rifle Regiments were raised but disbanded after
324-469: A legacy of a Finnish volunteer Jäger battalion formed in Germany during World War I to fight for the liberation of Finland from Russia. The Chasseur designation was given to certain regiments of French light infantry ( Chasseurs à pied ) or light cavalry ( Chasseurs à cheval ). The Chasseurs à pied (light infantry) were originally recruited from hunters or woodsmen . The Chasseurs à Pied , as
405-551: A mobility lacking to regular foot soldiers. In the 18th and 19th centuries most infantry regiments or battalions had a light company as an integral part of its composition. Its members were often smaller, more agile men with high shooting ability and capability of using initiative. They did not usually fight in disciplined ranks as did the ordinary infantry but often in widely dispersed groups, necessitating an understanding of skirmish warfare. They were expected to avoid melee engagements unless necessary and would fight ahead of
486-722: A parade drill which involved carrying rifles parallel to the ground ("at the trail") and dark green cloth helmets instead of dark blue. Light infantry badges always incorporated bugle horns as a central feature. In the Second World War , the use of light infantry was revived in what became the British Commandos and the Parachute Regiment . Because of the nature of their role and deployment, they were more lightly equipped than most infantry battalions. The Parachute Regiment has survived to this day, while
567-483: A period of time, Khandesh was renamed as Dandesh in recognition of Akbar's son Daniyal . c. 1640 , Todar Mal 's revenue settlement system was introduced in Khandesh by Shah Jahan (this system was used until British rule in 1818). The mid-17th century has been described as the time of Khandesh's "highest prosperity" owing to trade in cotton, rice, indigo, sugarcane, and cloth. Mughal rule lasted until
648-495: A reduced vehicle footprint. Light infantry units lack the greater firepower, operational mobility and protection of mechanized or armored units, but possess greater tactical mobility and the ability to execute missions in severely restrictive terrain and in areas where weather makes vehicular mobility difficult. Light infantry forces typically rely on their ability to operate under restrictive conditions, surprise, violence of action, training, stealth, field craft, and fitness levels of
729-566: A skirmishing role have kept their designation "light infantry" for the sake of tradition. The concept of a skirmishing screen is a very old one and was already well-established in Ancient Greece and Roman times in the form, for example, of the Greek peltast and psiloi , and the Roman velites . As with the so-called "light infantry" of later periods, the term more adequately describes
810-565: A true "light infantry" unit, (they were assigned their own artillery, carried double load of everything, and had a slower marching pace of 45 steps per minute), the Alpini were trained as jagers and skirmishers, introducing the use of skis and climbing training for all of their recruits. Those two corps still exist today, but in recent years the Bersaglieri have become a mechanised infantry unit, working closely with armoured units, and up until
891-644: A unit from the Maratha Light Infantry led the parade on the Parisian boulevard of Champs-Élysées on 14 July 2009, when the then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was the guest of honour of the ceremony. The regimental insignia consists of a bugle and cords with a pair of crossed swords and a shield, mounted by the Lion Capital of Ashoka . The bugle represents the light infantry mode of combat by skirmishers, controlled by orders issued on
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#1732772669379972-506: Is West Khandesh, East Khandesh district; Dhule and Jalgaon are their headquarters respectively. In 1990s West Khandesh further divided to form a new, district Nandurbar. The use of the Khandeshi language is prevalent in this region, and the language itself derives its name from the name of the region. This language is sometimes considered as a dialect of Marathi due to its mutual intelligibility with it, and hence has lower numbers in
1053-614: Is composed of units capable of rapidly engaging in combat anywhere in Brazil. Each of the three regular army regiments ( Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry , Royal Canadian Regiment and Royal 22 Régiment ) maintains their third battalion as light infantry capable in airborne, mountain, and amphibious operations, with varying degrees of capability. All reserve infantry units are classed as light infantry, all with varying degrees of capability. Finnish infantry units are also known as Jäger (Finnish pl. Jääkärit , Swedish pl. Jägarna ),
1134-610: Is evidence to the long history and valour of the regiment. Some of these honours have been declared repugnant after the independence of the country. Pre-independence Post-independence 1914–1921 1922–1938 1939–1947 Light infantry Light infantry refers to certain types of lightly equipped infantry throughout history. They have a more mobile or fluid function than other types of infantry, such as heavy infantry or line infantry . Historically, light infantry often fought as scouts , raiders , and skirmishers . These are loose formations that fight ahead of
1215-610: Is navigable, and the Tapti flows in a deep bed which historically made it difficult to use for irrigation. Most of Khandesh lies south of the Tapti and is drained by its tributaries: the Gomai , Girna , Bori , and Panjhra . The alluvial plain north of the Tapti contains some of the richest tracts in Khandesh, and the land rises towards the Satpuda hills. In the centre and east, the country is level, save for some low ranges of barren hills. To
1296-533: Is often cited as proof of concept. Almost 30,000 U.S. Forces, mostly light, deployed to Panama within a 48-hour period to execute combat operations. On 30 September 1985, the 29th Infantry Division (Maryland and Virginia Army National Guard) was reactivated at Fort Belvoir, Virginia as the only light Infantry Division in the US Army's reserve components. During the Falklands War in 1982, both Argentina and
1377-525: The 60th Royal Americans (later the King's Royal Rifle Corps ) was raised in 1797, and an "Experimental Corps of Riflemen" (later the 95th Rifles and then the Rifle Brigade ) in 1800. Both were equipped with green jackets and Baker rifles . Some extant regiments began to be designated "Light Infantry" at this point, receiving skirmishing training but generally still equipped with red coats and muskets. In
1458-574: The 80th Regiment of Light-Armed Foot ), though most if not all had been disbanded by the middle of the 1760s. From 1770, all regular battalions were required to designate one of their ten companies a "Light Company", though their training in skirmishing was poor and inconsistent. Dedicated rifle and light infantry regiments began to be formed or converted in the Napoleonic Wars , to counter the French Chasseurs . A new battalion of
1539-657: The Ancien Régime' s Chasseur battalions were merged with volunteer battalions in new units called Light Infantry half-brigades ( demi-brigades d’infanterie légère ). In 1803, the half-brigades were renamed regiments. These units had three battalions of three regular Chasseurs companies, one elite Carabiniers company and one reconnaissance voltigeurs company. In Napoléon's Imperial Guard , many units used names linked to light infantry: In Bourbon royalist The Napoleonic light infantry regiments existed until 1854, but there were very few differences between them and
1620-699: The Maratha Navy had dominated the military scene in India for three centuries. The 1st battalion of the regiment, known as Jangi Paltan ("the fighting unit"), was raised in August 1768 as the 2nd Battalion, Bombay Sepoys , to protect the British East India Company ’s possessions on the islands of Bombay . The second battalion known as Kali Panchwin followed the next year as the 3rd Battalion, Bombay Sepoys . These two battalions were at
1701-690: The Marathas captured Asirgarh in 1760. During Mughal rule, Burhanpur was the capital of the Khandesh Subah , an administrative provincial division of the Mughal Empire. Early in December 1670, Maratha forces under Prataprao made a raid into Khandesh. They advanced in rapid marches and plundered Bahadarpur, a village near Burhanpur 2 miles away from the city. But they didn't attack Burhanpur. Maratha raids into Khandesh began in 1670 and
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#17327726693791782-460: The Napoleonic Wars , light infantry were called voltigeurs and chasseurs and the sharpshooters tirailleurs . The Austrian army had Grenzer regiments from the middle of the 18th century, who originally served as irregular militia skirmishers recruited from frontier areas. They were gradually absorbed into the line infantry becoming a hybrid type that proved successful against the French, to
1863-539: The Peninsular War , a Light Brigade and later a Light Division were formed, at some points incorporating Portuguese Caçadores . By the Crimean War , rifles had become universal and tactics had substantially changed. This meant that the distinctions between light and line infantry were effectively limited to details such as name, a rapid march of 140 steps per minute, buglers instead of drummers and fifers,
1944-615: The Royal Marine Commandos are directly descended from those units formed in the Second World War. Most of the old light infantry and rifle regiments were administratively grouped in a new Light Division in 1968. The British Army ordered regimental amalgamations in 1957 , 1966 , 1990 and 2003 . The Rifles (the largest infantry regiment in the British Army) was formed in 2007 from the amalgamation of
2025-789: The Sino-Indian War , the Indo-Pakistani wars of 1965 and 1971 , against the Chinese on the Sikkim watershed in 1956, Operation Pawan , the ongoing operations on the Siachen Glacier and in numerous counter insurgency operations. The Maratha Light Infantry consists of the following battalions - The following units are affiliated to the regiment - The regimental centre has been in Belgaum , Karnataka, since 1922, which
2106-528: The line infantry regiments, so the 25 remaining light infantry regiments were transformed to line infantry in 1854. Although the traditions of these different branches of the French Army are very different, there is still a tendency to confuse one with the other. For example, when World War I veteran Léon Weil died, the AFP press agency stated that he was a member of the 5th "Regiment de Chasseurs Alpins". It
2187-415: The marksmen of the French army, were considered an elite. The first unit raised was Jean Chrétien Fischer 's Free Hunter Company in 1743. Early units were often a mix of cavalry and infantry. In 1776, all Chasseurs units were re-organized into six battalions, each linked to a cavalry regiment ( Chasseurs à cheval ). In 1788, the link between infantry battalions and cavalry regiments was broken. In 1793,
2268-550: The 1980s, the United States Army increased light forces to address contingencies and increased threats requiring a more deployable force able to operate in restrictive environments for limited periods. At its height, this included the 6th Infantry Division (light), 7th Infantry Division (light), 10th Mountain Division (light infantry), 25th Infantry Division , and the 75th Ranger Regiment . Operation Just Cause
2349-632: The 1990s, the concept of purely light forces in the US military came under scrutiny due to their decreased lethality and survivability. This scrutiny has resulted in the Stryker Brigade Combat Team , a greater focus on task organized units (such as Marine Expeditionary Units ) and a reduction of purely light forces. Despite their reduction, light forces have proven successful in Afghanistan ( Operation Enduring Freedom ), underlining
2430-680: The 1st battalion, 9th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry in December 1800. In the second half of the 19th century, the battalions fought in various campaigns from the Middle East to China. In recognition of the gallant conduct of its detachments at the siege of Kahun and the defence of Dadar, in Baluch territory during the First Anglo-Afghan War in 1841, the Kali Panchwin was created Light Infantry. Later, this honour
2511-552: The Army reorganization of 1911, but were recreated in 1926 as high readiness units, responsible for defending the border and other strategic points of the Country until the line units could be mobilized. In the 1950s, the designation caçadores started to be also given to the expeditionary provisional light infantry battalions and independent companies responsible for reinforcing the overseas territories garrisons. These units constituted
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2592-759: The Irish Army are light infantry soldiers. Most of the states of the Italian peninsula had their own units of skirmishers before Italian unification . One of the few that survived it were the Sardinian Bersaglieri , who were formed in 1836. They became some of the most iconic soldiers in Italian Army and were its "quick reaction force". The Alpini are the Italian Army's elite mountain troops, founded in 1875. Although they may not seem
2673-879: The Marathwada region of Maharashtra), and to the west by the northernmost ranges of the Western Ghats . The principal natural feature is the Tapti River . Unlike the rest of the Deccan, whose rivers rise in the Western Ghats and flow eastward to the Bay of Bengal , the Tapti flows westward from headwaters in southern Madhya Pradesh to empty into the Arabian Sea . The Tapti receives thirteen principal tributaries in its course through Khandesh. None of these rivers
2754-464: The Mesopotamia war as part of the same brigade. The British Army Light Infantry regiments wore green hackles during this time. As a symbol of this association, the green portion was added to the red, thus forming the present red and green hackle. The working dress does not have the hackle. The Regiment initially had a unique lanyard around the neck with ends in both front pockets. This was changed to
2835-721: The Turks. In 1295, Khandesh was under the Chauhan ruler of Asirgarh when Ala-ud-din Khilji of Delhi wrested control. Various Delhi dynasties controlled Khandesh over the next century, until Khandesh gained independence as the Khandesh Sultanate in the late 14th century, established by Malik Raja as the Farooqui dynasty. The Mughals arrived in 1599, when Akbar's army overran Khandesh and captured Asirgarh . For
2916-672: The United Kingdom made heavy use of light infantry and its doctrines during the campaign, most notably the Argentine 5th Naval Infantry Battalion (Argentina) and 25th Infantry Regiment (Argentina) and the British Parachute Regiment and Royal Marines of 3 Commando Brigade . Due to the rocky and mountainous terrain of the Falkland Islands , operations on the ground were only made possible with
2997-468: The battle cry – Har Har Mahadev (Victory To Lord Shiva) during the Second World War. The soldiers of Maratha Light Infantry have a quick march speed of 140 steps in a minute, while a standard pace for a quick march is 120 beats per minute with a 30-inch step. The regiment has won the best marching contingent twice at the Republic Day parade . On the occasion of the 221st Bastille day celebrations,
3078-505: The battle of Jebel Hamrin, 1917). The Second World War saw the Marathas at the forefront in almost every theatre of operations from the jungles of Southeast Asia to the deserts of North Africa , and the mountains and rivers of Italy. The war also saw the expansion of the regiment when thirteen new war service battalions were raised. Most of these were later demobilised after the war, whilst two were converted into artillery regiments. During
3159-542: The beginning of the 1960s, Portuguese Army raised special forces companies of that were named caçadores especiais (special huntsmen). The caçadores especiais wore a brown beret in the colour of the uniforms of the caçadores of the Peninsular War. These units were later abolished and the brown beret started to be used by most of the units of the Portuguese Army. In 1975, the designation " caçadores "
3240-633: The bugles. The uniform consists of a green beret (common to all infantry units in India), which has the regimental crest and a red and green hackle . The two-coloured hackle has a history. During 1788, the Bombay Army was reorganised into the 1st and 2nd Brigades. Red plumes adorned the headgear of the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Brigade. The Marathas and the 1st Battalion of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry fought alongside each other in
3321-767: The bulk of the Portuguese forces engaged in the several theatres of the Portuguese Overseas War , from 1961 to 1975. Colonial troops with this title also existed, being recruited among both Portuguese European settlers and from indigenous populations. In the 1950s, the Portuguese Air Force formed a unit of paratroopers called caçadores paraquedistas ("parachutist hunters"). Additional battalions of caçadores paraquedistas were later created in Angola , Mozambique and Portuguese Guinea . At
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3402-413: The census due to people opting their language as Marathi instead. This region is famous for banana agriculture and is a leading producer of it. Khandesh lies in Western India on the northwestern corner of the Maharashtra , in the valley of the Tapti River . It is bounded to the north by the Satpura Range , to the east by the Berar ( Varhad ) region, to the south by the Hills of Ajanta (belonging to
3483-889: The command structure, LIDs are directly answerable to the Commander in Chief of Army whereas MOCs are subordinate to their respective Regional Military Command. As for unit patches, LIDs have their own division patches where MOCs do not have distinctive patches and wear RMC's patch instead. LIDs in Burmese are called ခြေမြန်တပ်မဌာနချုပ် (တမခ) whereas MOCs are called စစ်ဆင်ရေးကွပ်ကဲမှုဌာနချုပ် (စကခ). Both Light Infantry Divisions and MOCs are have an officer ranked Brigadier General as their General Officer Commanding, Colonel as Second in Command and Lieutenant Colonel as Division Chief of Staff (informally Division G/A/Q). Units designated as " Light Infantry Divisions " are Military Operation Commands: Units designated as " Military Operation Commands " are Since No. (11) Light Infantry Division has already been reformed, No. (11) Military Operation Command
3564-429: The continued need for light infantry. There are three light infantry brigades, (4ª Brigada de Infantaria Leve de Montanha, 11ª Brigada de Infantaria Leve and 12ª Brigada de Infantaria Leve Aeromóvel), and an airborne infantry brigade (Brigada de Infantaria Paraquedista). The 12º Light Infantry Brigade and the Airborne Infantry Brigade both belong to the Força de Ação Rápida Estratégica (Quick Strategic Action Force), which
3645-408: The conversion of the 21st battalion into the 21st battalion, Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and the 115 Infantry Battalion (TA) being transferred to the Mahar Regiment . Since independence, battalions of the Maratha Light Infantry have taken part in every Indian armed conflict — the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 , the Annexation of Junagadh , the Annexation of Hyderabad , the Annexation of Goa ,
3726-421: The early 1930s. Until 2006 the modern Spanish Army maintained a Brigada de Cazadores de Montaña "Aragón I" (Mountain Huntsmen Brigade "Aragón I") The British Army first experimented with light infantry in the French and Indian War , to counter the tactics used by the French-allied Native Americans . Along with secondment of regular infantry, several specialised units were raised (including Rogers' Rangers and
3807-436: The eve of World War I, the British Army included seven light infantry regiments. These differed from other infantry only in maintaining such traditional distinctions as badges that included a bugle-horn, dark green home service helmets for full dress , and a fast-stepping parade ground march. Today the term "light" denotes, in the United States table of organization and equipment , units lacking heavy weapons and armor or with
3888-612: The extent that Napoleon recruited several units of Austrian army Grenzer to his own army after victory over Austria in 1809 compelled the Austrians to cede territories from which they were traditionally recruited. In Portugal, 1797, companies of Caçadores (Hunters) were created in the Portuguese Army, and in 1808 led to the formation of independent "Caçador" battalions that became known for their ability to perform precision shooting at long distances. Light infantry officers sometimes carried muskets or rifles , rather than pistols , and their swords were light curved sabres ; as opposed to
3969-454: The following century was a period of unrest as Mughals and Marathas competed for control. In 1760, the Peshwa ousted the Mughal ruler and gained control of Khandesh, following which portions were granted to Holkar and Scindia rulers. Baji Rao II surrendered to the British in June 1818, but sporadic war continued in Khandesh which was among the last of the Peshwa's former territories to come under complete British control . Khandesh
4050-407: The forefront of virtually every major engagement fought on the west coast from Surat to Cannanore during the last quarter of the 18th century. Prominent amongst these were the historic battles of Seedaseer and Seringapatam , where in the words of Richard Wellesley their conduct and success were seldom equalled and never surpassed . The turn of the 19th century was witness to the expansion of
4131-493: The heavy, straighter swords of other infantry officers. Orders were sent by bugle or whistle instead of drums (since the sound of a bugle carries further and it is difficult to move fast when carrying a drum). Some armies, including the British and French , recruited whole regiments (or converted existing ones) of light infantry. These were considered elite units , since they required specialised training with emphasis on self-discipline , manoeuvre and initiative to carry out
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#17327726693794212-425: The historic Light Infantry regiments now survive as separate entities within the modern British Army. Today, "Light role infantry" is a designation that can be applied to an infantry battalion of any regiment. Light role infantry are not (by default) equipped with armoured vehicles (unlike Armoured Infantry or Mechanised Infantry ). In 1780, General George Washington published an order of battle which included
4293-468: The individual soldiers to compensate for their reduced lethality. Despite the usage of the term "light", forces in a light unit will normally carry heavier individual loads vis-à-vis other forces; they must carry everything they require to fight, survive and win due to lack of vehicles. Although units like the 101st Airborne (Air Assault) and the 82nd Airborne Division are categorized as Air Assault Infantry and Airborne Infantry respectively, they fall under
4374-412: The integration of the erstwhile princely states, the 19th, 20th, 22nd battalions were amalgamated, from the state forces of Satara , Kolhapur , Baroda , and Hyderabad , with the regiment. The expansion of the Indian Army to meet the omnipresent threat to its borders has seen the regiment grow to its present strength of 18 regular battalions and two Territorial Army battalions whilst the period also saw
4455-472: The long drawn-out Mesopotamia campaign . The 117th Mahrattas (present 5th battalion, Maratha Light Infantry) was made into a Royal battalion for its conspicuously distinctive service during its campaign in Mesopotamia , particularly in the events leading to enemy capitulation after the bitter 146-day siege at Kut-el-Amara . The battalion was mostly composed of Marathas from the Khandesh region and Nashik district . For some unclear reasons even after winning,
4536-500: The main army to harass, delay, disrupt supply lines, engage the enemy's own skirmishing forces, and generally "soften up" an enemy before the main battle. Light infantrymen were also often responsible for screening the main body of a military formation. Post- World War II , the term "light infantry" evolved to include rapid-deployment units (including commando and airborne units) that emphasized speed and mobility over armor and firepower. Some units or battalions that historically held
4617-555: The main difference in term of organisational structure is that LIDs' 10 battalions are all Light Infantry whereas for MOC, it's 7 Infantry Battalions (Motorised) and 3 Infantry Battalions (Mechanised). Both have an intermediate layer between the Battalions and Division HQ called Tactical Operation Command . A TOC is a unit that commands up to 3 battalions. Essentially, LIDs are made up of 3 TOC and 1 battalion under HQ as reserve whereas MOCs are made up of 2 TOC (Motorised) and 1 TOC (Mechanised) with an IB (Motorised) under HQ as reserve. As for
4698-662: The mainline to harass the enemy before falling back to the main position. During the period 1777–1781, the Continental Army of the United States adopted the British Army practice of seasonally drafting light infantry regiments as temporary units during active field operations, by combining existing light infantry companies detached from their parent regiments. Light infantry sometimes carried lighter muskets than ordinary infantrymen while others carried rifles and wore rifle green uniforms. These became designated as rifle regiments in Britain and Jäger and Schützen (sharpshooter) regiments in German-speaking Europe. In France, during
4779-543: The mid-1990s had their own tank and artillery units. Other units that can be classified as light infantry are: As of current, it's reported that Myanmar Army has total of 10 units designated as a "Light Infantry Division" and 20 units designated as "Military Operation Command". Two units are mostly similar in term of organisational structure. One of the main differences is that LIDs are mostly numbered in double digits like 11, 22, 33, 44 whereas MOCs are numbered sequelly. Both commands 10 battalions . While not that obvious, one of
4860-501: The modern era frequently relied on irregulars to perform the duties of light infantry skirmishers. In particular, the French Army employed detachments of German and Balkan mercenaries to serve as patrols in the rough country until a permanent corps of Mountain Fusiliers ( Fusiliers des Montagnes ) was raised in the 1740s. In the 17th century, dragoons were sometimes employed as the skirmishers of their day, as mounted infantrymen who rode into battle but dismounted to fight, giving them
4941-428: The north and west, the plain rises into rugged hills, thickly wooded, and inhabited by members of the Bhil tribe. The Markandeya Purana and Jain literature describe Khanadesh region as Abhiradesa . The rule of the Abhiras over this region is not only evident from the epigraphs but from the oral traditions also. A tradition of Nandurbar (Kandesh) presents before us an account of an Ahir Raja Nanda, who fought
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#17327726693795022-448: The overall concept of light infantry. They are typically infantry intended for difficult terrain such as mountains or arctic conditions (US Marines) ( Royal Marines , United States Army 10th Mountain Division , United States Army 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) , Italian Army Alpini , French Army 27ème bataillon de chasseurs alpins ) or jungle (1st Scout Ranger Regiment, Brazilian Army Jungle Infantry Brigades). In
5103-463: The recruitment pattern is as follows– Tradesmen (clerk, sweeper, barber etc.) are recruited from all Indian classes. The Maratha Confederacy was a potent force in India from the 17th to 19th centuries. Their military qualities were brilliantly optimised in their historical campaigns against the Mughal Empire under the leadership of the Chhatrapati Shivaji and succeeding Maratha rulers. Maratha armies, comprising both infantry and light cavalry, and
5184-505: The regiment did not return to India. The 114th Mahrattas (present Regimental Centre) was awarded 28 gallantry awards for their performance in the battle of Sharquat , the highest earned by any unit in a single action. The other Maratha battalions, namely the 105th Mahratta Light Infantry , 110th Mahratta Light Infantry and 116th Mahrattas also acquitted themselves in Palestine and Mesopotamia. The 105th lost its commanding officer in action (Lieutenant-Colonel Ernest Richard Inglis Chitty at
5265-417: The regimental group with the raising of the 3rd battalion as the 2nd battalion, 5th ( Travancore ) Regiment of the Bombay Native Infantry in 1797. The Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre was raised in March 1800 as the 2nd battalion, 7th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry; the 4th battalion in April 1800 as the 2nd battalion, 8th Regiment Bombay Infantry and the 5th battalion from the Bombay Fencibles as
5346-462: The regimental title. Till the First World War, each unit had its own colours. In 1922, with the creation of the Maratha Group, the Red, Black, and Grey colours of the 114 Marathas (which became the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre) were adopted as the regimental colours. The regiment has 56 battle honours to its credit, 14 predating the World War I and spanning wars in Afghanistan, China, Burma and British East Africa. The list of battle honours
5427-446: The regiments of the Light Division. The Rifles maintain the traditional quick parade march of all British light infantry, the Rifle Brigade 's " rifle green " No 1 dress with blackened buttons and black leather belts, and many other traditions and "golden threads" of its parent regiments. The only rifle regiment not to become part of the Rifles was the Royal Gurkha Rifles . Following a series of amalgamations and one disbandment, none of
5508-406: The role of such infantry rather than the actual weight of their equipment. Peltast equipment, for example, grew steadily heavier at the same time as hoplite equipment grew lighter. It was the fact that peltasts fought in open order as skirmishers that made them light infantry and that hoplites fought in the battle line in a phalanx formation that made them heavy infantry. Early regular armies of
5589-462: The roles of light infantry as well as those of ordinary infantry. By the late 19th century, the concept of fighting in formation was on the wane due to advancements in weaponry and the distinctions between light and heavy infantry began to disappear. Essentially, all infantry became light infantry in operational practice. Some regiments retained the name and customs, but there was in effect little difference between them and other infantry regiments. On
5670-426: The same training; including skirmishing. At the same time strelkovyi [стрелковый] battalions were introduced. These undertook light infantry functions when the skirmishing skills of line infantry were insufficient. Historically the Spanish infantry included several battalions of light infantry that were designated as Cazadores . These units were incorporated into the ordinary infantry following army reorganization in
5751-411: The standard lanyard in 2002. This green lanyard is worn on the left shoulder. The exception is the 5th Battalion of the regiment, which wears a blue lanyard on the right shoulder, as an honour for the title “Royal”, for its outstanding operations in Mesopotamia in World War I. The rank epaulettes consist of the words MARATHI LI in capitals. In ceremonial dress, the regimental crest is present in addition to
5832-484: The use of light infantry because the use of mechanized infantry or armour was severely limited by of the terrain, leading to the " Yomp " across the Falklands, in which Royal Marines and Paras yomped (and tabbed) with their equipment across the islands, covering 56 miles (90 km) in three days carrying 80-pound (36 kg) loads after disembarking from ships at San Carlos on East Falkland , on 21 May 1982. During
5913-570: The war Naik Yeshwant Ghadge and Sepoy Namdeo Jadhav were decorated with the Victoria Cross in the Italian campaign, while 130 other decorations were awarded to the regiment. The following battalions saw action during the war - Indian independence saw the regiment reverted to the original five battalions, with the 3rd Maratha Light Infantry converting to the airborne role and becoming the 2nd battalion, Parachute Regiment in April 1952. With
5994-469: The war. The Rifle Regiment was disbanded in 1821. Khandesh Khandesh is a geographic region in Maharashtra, India. It was made up of present Jalgaon , Dhule and Nandurbar districts. It also said that Burhanpur District of Madhya Pradesh was also its part. The region have seen many geographical changes, in 1906 its eponymous district was bifurcated to form two new districts that
6075-519: Was a district in the Bombay Presidency . In 1906, the district was divided into two districts: East Khandesh, headquartered at Jalgaon , had an area of 11,770 km (4,544 sq mi), while West Khandesh, headquartered at Dhule , had an area of 14,240 km (5,497 sq mi); their respective populations were 957,728 and 469,654 in 1901. After India's independence in 1947, Bombay province became Bombay State , and in 1960
6156-683: Was a regular regiment of the Rhodesian Army, unique in having the traditions of light infantry while serving as a modern Commando regiment. The Imperial Russian Army , which was heavily influenced by the Prussian and Austrian military systems, included fifty Jäger or yegerskii [егерский] regiments in its organisation by 1812, including the Egersky Guards Regiment . They were mostly united with line infantry regiments in 1833, when almost all Russian infantry began to receive
6237-611: Was also bestowed on the 3rd and 10th Regiments of the Bombay Infantry (present 1st battalion, Maratha Light Infantry and 2nd battalion, Parachute Regiment respectively) for their gallantry in Sir Robert Napier ’s Abyssinian Campaign of 1867–1868. The regiment assumed the title 5th Mahratta Light Infantry 1922. Three Maratha battalions distinguished themselves during the First World War (1914–1918) in
6318-607: Was discontinued in the Portuguese Armed Forces . All former units of caçadores were redesigned as "infantry". Currently, every infantry soldier of the Portuguese Army is known as atirador . Today, the Portuguese Army uses the designation "light infantry" as a generic collective classification of the Paratroopers, Commandos and Special Operations troops, while the remaining infantry is classified as "motorized/mechanized infantry". The Rhodesian Light Infantry
6399-686: Was in fact the 5th Bataillon. The Indian Army of 1914 included ten regiments with "Light Infantry" in their titles. These were the: Most of these regiments lost their separate identity as a result of extensive amalgamations in 1922. The modern Indian Army retains the Maratha Light Infantry and the Sikh Light Infantry . Of the 28 infantry regiments of the modern Indian Army, the following ten are designated as "Rifles". They are distinguished by their black rank badges, black buttons on their service and ceremonial uniforms and
6480-653: Was not formed Portuguese light infantry soldiers were known as caçadores (literally "huntsmen"). Initially organized as a light company in each of the line infantry regiments, the caçadores were later organized as independent battalions. They constituted the elite light infantry of the Portuguese Army during the Peninsular War , being considered by the Duke of Wellington as the " fighting cocks of his army". They wore distinctive brown uniforms as an early form of camouflage . The caçadores units were disbanded by
6561-501: Was part of the Bombay Presidency at that time. The centre’s history comes from the conversion of the 114th Mahrattas to the 10th (Training) Battalion, 5th Mahratta Light Infantry. This unit itself traces its origins to 1800 when it was raised as the 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry. The battle cry of Maratha Light Infantry is बोला श्री छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराज की जय ( "Bola Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jai (Say Victory to King Chhatrapati Shivaji)" ). It replaced
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