The 125th Napier’s Rifles: A Historic Infantry Regiment
The 125th Napier’s Rifles was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. Throughout its history, it has been referred to as the 1st Extra Battalion Bombay Native Infantry, the 25th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry (1826–1889), and the 25th Bombay Rifles. In 1922, it amalgamated with five other regiments and is currently known as the 5th Battalion, Rajputana Rifles. The Battalion celebrated its bicentenary on February 17, 2020, now officially titled 5th Battalion the Rajputana Rifles (Napiers) or 5 RAJ RIF.
History
Origins
The regiment traces its origins back to the 1st Extra Battalion of Bombay Native Infantry, established in 1820 from the Poona Auxiliary Force as part of the Honourable East India Company‘s Bombay Army. In 1826, it became the 25th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry.
After serving in Afghanistan and the North-West Frontier Province, the regiment participated in the Sindh Expedition under the command of General Sir Charles James Napier, who famously conquered Sindh in 1843. Their bond was further solidified at the Battle of Meeanee, with Napier stating, “The 25th played a distinguished part in the engagement… had the 22nd and the 25th given way, all would have been lost.”
During the Indian Mutiny, the regiment was in Chanderi and Gwalior. On June 20, 1858, Lieutenants Rose and W. F. F. Waller led a surprise night attack on the Gwalior Fort, resulting in Waller receiving the Victoria Cross for his actions.
First World War
The regiment actively participated in both the European and Middle Eastern theatres during the First World War, from France to Mesopotamia. They were a part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in General Allenby’s campaign to capture Jerusalem.
Despite its challenges, including internal critiques, the regiment was recognized for its contributions. A notable perspective was provided by Rajput officer Amar Singh, whose diary from 1905 to 1921 detailed the regiment’s experiences, later published as Between Two Worlds.
Later Developments
In the army reorganization of 1921–1922, the regiment amalgamated with several others to form the 6th Rajputana Rifles, becoming known as the 5th Battalion (Napier’s). Following independence in 1947, it was allocated to India and presently stands as the most senior rifle regiment of the Indian Army.
Names of the Regiment
- 1820–1826: 1st Extra Battalion of Bombay Native Infantry
- 1826–1889: 25th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry
- 1889–1901: 25th Regiment (3rd Battalion Rifle Regiment) of Bombay Infantry
- 1901–1903: 25th Bombay Rifles
- 1903–1922: 125th Napier’s Rifles
- 1922–1945: 5th (Napier’s) Battalion, 6th Rajputana Rifles
- 1945–present: 5th Battalion (Napier’s), The Rajputana Rifles
Notable Soldiers
- Colonel William Francis Frederick Waller VC (1840–1885)
- Major-General Thomas Wynford Rees CB CIE DSO MC DL (1899–1959)
- General Sir Robert Phayre GCB (1820-1897)
- Lieutenant General A.M. Sethna, PVSM, Padma Vibhushan
- Lt Gen Iqbal Singh Singha, AVSM, VSM
Battle Honours
- First Anglo-Afghan War
- Battle of Meeanee, Sindh, 1843
- Gwalior, 1858
- Abyssinia, 1868
- Burma, 1885 to 1887
- France, 1914 and 1915
- Mesopotamian campaign, 1915 and 1916
- Palestine, 1917, including Jerusalem
Further Reading
- Cardew, F. G., Sketch of the Services of the Bengal Native Army (Calcutta, 1903)
- Macmunn, Lt General Sir George, The Armies of India (London, 1911)
- Barat, Dr Amiya, The Bengal Native Infantry (Calcutta, 1962)
- Mollo, Boris, The Indian Army (Blandford Publ., 1981)
- Napier, Priscilla, I Have Sind: Charles Napier in India (1990)
- Ellinwood, DeWitt C., Jr., Between Two Worlds (2005)
- Rawlinson, H.G., Napier’s Rifles (1929)