Repugnant battle honours of the Indian Army
The Government of India has declared repugnant some battle honours earned by Indian Army units, which are descended from erstwhile units of the British East India Company. Indian Army units do not inscribe these battle honours on their colours and do not celebrate commemoration days associated with these battles. This decision was taken post-independence regarding those battle honours concerned with the subjugation of India and in some cases, neighbouring countries.[1]
List of repugnant battle honours
Repugnant battle honours include :
- Carnatic
- Sholinghur
- Mangalore
- Mysore
- Sedaseer
- Seringapatam
- Egypt
- Delhi
- Assaye
- Leswarree
- Deig
- Kirkee
- Nagpore
- Maheidpoor
- Corygaum
- Nowah
- Ava
- Kemmendine
- Arracan
- Bhurtpore
- China
- Meeanee
- Hyderabad
- Maharajpoor
- Punniar
- Moodkee
- Ferozeshah
- Aliwal
- Sobraon
- Punjaub
- Chillianwallah
- Mooltan
- Goojerat
- Pegu
- Delhi 1857
- Lucknow
- Defence of Arrah
- Behar
- Central India
- Egypt 1882
- Burma 1885-87
- Defence of Chitral, Chitral
- Punjab Frontier
Non-repugnant battle honours
The earliest battle honour held by the modern Indian Army which is not repugnant and can be emblazoned on colours is "Bourbon" (dated 8 July 1810) which is held by the 3rd Battalion, the Brigade of the Guards. Battle honours prior to this period have either been lost due to disbandment, are now held only by units transferred to Pakistan during Partition, or are repugnant.[1]:78
Other pre-World War I battle honours not considered repugnant are as follows :[1]:297
- Abyssinia
- Afghanistan 1839
- Afghanistan 1878-80
- Ahmed Khel
- Ali Masjid
- Beni Boo Alli
- Bourbon
- Bushire
- Cabool 1852
- Candahar 1842
- Charasiah
- China (1858β59, 1860β62, 1900)
- Cutchee
- Ghuznee 1839
- Ghuznee 1842
- Java
- Kabul 1879
- Kahun
- Kandahar 1880
- Khelat
- Koosh-ab
- Malakand
- Peiwar Kotal
- Pekin 1860
- Pekin 1900
- Persia 1856-57
- Reshire
- Samana
- Somaliland 1901-04
- Taku Forts
- Tel-el-Kebir
- Tirah
- Tofrek
Notes
References
- Sandes, Lt Col E.W.C. The Indian Sappers and Miners (1948) The Institution of Royal Engineers, Chatham. Pages i to xxx, 1 to 726, frontispiece and 30 illustrations,31 general maps and 51 plans.