40th Pathans
| 40th Pathans (16 Punjab Regt) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 1780 - present |
| Country | British India |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Motto(s) | Gazian-e-Dograi |
| Uniform | Red; faced green |
| Engagements |
Indian Mutiny 1857-58 Tibet 1903-04 First World War 1914-18 Third Afghan War 1919 |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel of the Regiment |
General Edward Dandridge General Sir Frederick Campbell Brig Sher Afghan |
The 40th Pathans were an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was raised in 1780 as Bengal Native infantry and then again in 1858 as the Shahjehanpur Levy. It was designated as the 40th Pathans in 1903 and became 5th Battalion (Pathans) 14th Punjab Regiment in 1922. In 1947, it was allocated to the Pakistan Army, where it continues to exist as 16th Battalion The Punjab Regiment.
The regiment was reraised by Lieutenant Edward Dandridge at Shahjahanpur in 1858, during the upheaval of the Indian Mutiny, as the Shahjahanpur Levy. It was initially composed of Hindus from North India and some Sikhs. In 1888, the regiment participated in the Black Mountain Expedition, while in 1890, it dispatched a detachment to Lushai Hills. In 1890, it was reconstituted with Trans-frontier Pathans to become the only all-Pathan regiment in the Indian Army; acquiring in the process, the nickname of "Forty Thieves". In 1901, it lost its exclusively Pathan character, when two companies each of Punjabi Muslims and Dogras were included.
Subsequent to the reforms brought about in the Indian Army by Lord Kitchener in 1903, the regiment's designation was changed to 40th Pathans. In 1904, the 40th Pathans proceeded to Tibet as reinforcements for the Tibet Mission Force. On the outbreak of the First World War the regiment was stationed in Hong Kong. It arrived in France on 2 April 1915, and within days, was on the frontlines. The 40th Pathans fought with great gallantry in the Second Battle of Ypres, where they suffered 320 casualties on 26 April, and in the Battles of Aubers Ridge and Loos. In December, the regiment left for East Africa, where they served till February 1918, and again distinguished themselves in the long and bitter campaign. The 40th Pathans suffered a total of 800 casualties (killed or wounded) during the war, while 1066 officers and men were invalided out of service due to sickness. In 1919, the 40th Pathans participated in the Third Afghan War.
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