Madras Native Infantry

The Madras Regiment was the first unit raised by the East India Company.

Chronology

1748 Madras Levies raised by Major Stringer Lawrence for the defence of Cuddalore
1758 two Madras Battalions under British officers formed by Robert Clive to reorganise the 3,000 men with Indian officers in the Madras Presidency Army of around 3,000 with Indian officers
1759 four more battalions formed
1767 total strength 19 battalions known as Coast Sepoys
1769 became Carnatic Battalions in the north and the Circar Battalions in the south of the Presidency
1784 all became Madras Battalions with the Carnatic having precedence
1824 total strength 50 regiments
1857 no Madras regiments mutinied