Sikh Light Infantry

The Sikh Light Infantry previously known as The Mazabhi and Ramdasia Sikh Regiment is an elite 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.

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. Since India's Independence from Britain in 1947, the regiment has gone from strength to strength and has continued to set exceptional standards. Today, the Sikh Light Infantry has expanded beyond its primary Infantry role and holds an elite regimental status. Since Independence the Sikh Light Infantry has also established a very versatile reputation, with its soldiers expanding into Airborne, Marine commando Forces and Special Forces roles respectively. 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 exploits of the regiment know no bounds and its soldiers are able to engage all varieties of enemy combatants in virtually all environments. 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.