The 32nd
Sikh
Sikhs (singular Sikh: or ; , ) are an ethnoreligious group who adhere to Sikhism, a religion that originated in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, based on the revelation of Guru Nanak. The term ''Si ...
Pioneers was an assault pioneers regiment of the
British Indian Army
The Indian Army was the force of British Raj, British India, until Indian Independence Act 1947, national independence in 1947. Formed in 1895 by uniting the three Presidency armies, it was responsible for the defence of both British India and ...
during British rule. The regiment was founded in 1857 as the ''Punjab Sappers (Pioneers)''.
British Empire: Armed Forces: Units: Indian Infantry: 32nd Sikh Pioneers
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After a series of names changes, it became the ''32nd Punjab Pioneers'' in 1901 and the ''32nd Sikh Pioneers'' in 1903. To honour the visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to Indian they took part in the Rawalpindi Parade 1905. In 1922, it united with 23rd Sikh Pioneers
The 23rd Sikh Pioneers were a regiment of the British Indian Army. They could trace their origins to 1857, when they were known as the 15th (Pioneer) Regiment of Punjab Infantry.
The regiment was mainly recruited from the Mazhabi Sikhs of Punjab P ...
and 34th Sikh Pioneers, to form 2nd Bn, 3rd Sikh Pioneers. Their most celebrated feat of arms was the relief in 1895 of the besieged British garrison of Chitral, by a gruelling crossing of the snow-covered Shandur Pass.
The regiment recruited the Mazhabi Sikhs
Sikhs (singular Sikh: or ; , ) are an ethnoreligious group who adhere to Sikhism, a religion that originated in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, based on the revelation of Guru Nanak. The term ''Sikh'' ...
of Punjab province.
Despite being Pioneers by name, the regiment was specially trained as assault pioneers.
It was one of the first native mounted infantry to be posted for active service outside India.
References
Further reading
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External links
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Military units and formations established in 1857
Sikhism and the British Empire
1857 establishments in British India
Modern Sikh military
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