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The Sikh Light Infantry previously known as The Mazabhi and Ramdasia Sikh Regiment is an elite〔(Anniversary Celebrations of Sikh LI )〕 Regiment of the Indian Army. Its name was changed to the Sikh Light Infantry in 1944. The Sikh Light Infantry is the successor unit to the Mazhabi Sikh Pioneers 23rd, 32nd and 34th Sikh Pioneers. The Sikh Light Infantry inherited the battle honours, colours and traditions of the Mazhabi Sikh Pioneers on its merging with a few Ramdasia companies in 1941.〔(Full text of "The Sikhs of the Punjab" )〕 The Sikh Light Infantry is famous for recruiting Mazhabi Sikh Soldiers; who are famous for their extraordinary courage and tenacity on the battlefield. In its life of nearly one century under the British Raj, the Sikh Light infantry and its predecessors the 23rd, 32nd and 34th Royal Sikh Pioneers distinguished themselves with loyalty to the British Crown and her Empire in numerous conflicts in and around the Indian Subcontinent including both the First World War and the Second World War. Today, the Sikh Light Infantry has expanded beyond its primary Infantry role and holds an ''elite'' regimental status.〔 The 9th battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry conducts special Amphibious assaults similar in nature to the Royal Marines of the United Kingdom. The 11th battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry has earned the nickname "''Steel Fist''".〔 The versatility of the Sikh Light Infantry has seen the regiment conduct operations from the Siachen Glacier,〔 the highest battlefield in the world, to Counter-terrorism. The Sikh Light infantry conducts operations as part of the United Nations Emergency Force. The Regimental motto is ''Deg Tegh Fateh'', meaning ''prosperity in peace and victory in war''. The motto has great significance with the tenth and most martial Sikh guru; Guru Gobind Singh as the Mazhabis are very closely associated with him. The Sikh Light Infantry insignia is a Chakram or Quoit, with a mounted Kirpan. The insignia was designed to honour the Mazhabi Sikh community's Akali Nihang ancestry. The former Chief Of Army Staff General Bikram Singh, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC belongs to the Regiment. He is also the Colonel Of The Regiment The Sikh Light Infantry. ==Formation & Organisation== Impressed by the toughness, tenacity and bravery of Mazhabi Sikh soldiers during both the first and Second Anglo-Sikh Wars;〔http://www.sikhreview.org/november1995/chivalry.htm〕 the British had come to notice this particular caste and openly recognized the great fighting qualities and prowess of these men-at-arms.〔 Consequently the recruitment of the Mazhabi Sikh caste into its own armed forces was proposed. Thus after the final defeat of the Sikh Army in 1849, Mazhabi Sikhs were recruited into its first corps in 1850.〔 Recruits were taken largely from soldiers who had served under the old Sikh army or Ranjit Singh.〔 In the year 1857, the decision was made to turn the first Mazhabi Sikh corps into a full regiment. The first regular Regiment originally known as the 15th (Pioneer) Regiment of Punjab Infantry was raised at Lahore on 15 September 1857 by Lt R H Shebbeare, VC.〔 This was followed by the 32nd Sikh Pioneers in June 1857. The 23rd and the 32nd Regiments gave such an excellent account of themselves, establishing outstanding standards,〔 that it was decided to raise another Regiment of Sikh Pioneers. The 34th Fatehgarh Levy which had been disbanded, was reconstituted as the 34th Sikh Pioneers on 28 March 1887.〔 By the First World War, the 23rd, 32nd and 34th Sikh Pioneer regiments were all developed into three battalions each, with an extra training battalion raised. By the end of the war no less than ten Mazhabi Sikh battalions were serving in the conflict. By 1933 the Mazhabi Sikh regiments were briefly disbanded for economical reasons, and Mazhabi Sikh personnel were transferred to other regiments in the army.〔 However with the Second World War, the Mazhabi Sikhs were brought back again as exclusive regiment, to meet the urgent and mounting demands of World War II. The Ist Battalion was raised at Jullundur on 1 October 1941. The 2nd and 3rd Battalions were raised at Peshawar and Sialkot on 1 July 1942 and 15 August 1942 respectively.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Sikh Light Infantry」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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