Kali Panchwin

Kali Panchwin (2 Maratha Light Infantry)
The Regimental Insignia of the Battalion
Active	1774 to present
Country	India
Branch	Army
Type	Infantry
Garrison/HQ	Pune
Decorations	Ashoka Chakra Award - 1 Kirti Chakra - 1 Vir Chakra - 1 Shaurya Chakra - 7 Yudh Seva Medal - 2 Sena Medal - 13 Bar to Sena Medal - 1 Param Vishisht Seva Medal - 13 Mentioned in Despatches - 11 Bar to Mentioned in Despatches - 1 Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card - 39 General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Commendation - 29 Chief of Army Staff Unit Citation - 1
Battle honours	Mysore Seedaser Seringapatnam Beni-Boo-Ali Siege of Kahun China Afghanistan Burma Mesopotamia Kut El Amara Baghdad Palestine Nablus Sharon Abyssinia Keren North Africa Siege of Tobruk Gubi Hussainiwala

The Kali Panchwin, now formally called the 2nd Battalion, Maratha Light Infantry Regiment, is one of the oldest battalions of the Indian Army. It consists of troops known as Ganpats from Maharashtra in Western India. In the 17th century they formed part of Shivaji's army that defeated Aurangzeb in the Deccan Plateau. It is now part of the Maratha Light Infantry.

Formed in 1768 as the 3rd Battalion Bombay Sepoys, the battalion participated in almost all theatres of action in India and overseas, starting with the siege of Seringapatnam defeating Tipu Sultan. They have seen action in Mysore, Seedaser, Baghdad, Afghanistan, Dadar, Baroda, Burma, China and Palestine.

In World War I, the battalion won the battle honours of Sharon and Nablus in Palestine.

In World War II, the battalion distinguished itself in the Battle of Keren (North Africa), against Mussolini's Italian troops and native Eritreans. The battalion then made history as part of the 4th Indian Division against Rommel's Afrika Corps in the North African Campaign. It continued with victories at Kut-El-Amara and in the Western Desert Campaign at Tobruk under Montgomery. The Battalion was re-raised back in India as it had lost most of its men at Tobruk.