Indian Ranks

Indian Officers (Viceroy Commissioned Officers)

Viceroy Commissioned Officers (VCOs) were senior Indian Army Officers who, after 1858, held commissions issued by the Viceroy of India - i.e. Not by the British Monarch.

VCO Dress Regulations

As per Dress Regulations 1867

Subadar- Golden Crossed Swords

Jemadar- Golden Sword

As per Dress Regulations 1888

Subadar- Golden Crossed Swords(Except Gurkha Regiments) or Crossed Kukries(Gurkha Regiments)

Jemadar- Golden Sword(Except Gurkha Regiments) or Kukri(Gurkha Regiments)

• Before 1900, All Indian Officers wore rank insignias on collar or right shoulder.

As per Dress Regulations 1901

Subadar-Major or Risaldar-Major -Three pips

Subadar or Risaldar or Ressaider - Two pips

Jemadar- One pip

• Before 1910, All Indian Officers of siladar system Cavalry regiment were known as Ressaidar, Risaldar, and Risaldar Major rank. All permanent Cavalry Indian Officers were known as Subadar and Subadar Major (Bodyguards and Madras Lancer and Light Cavalry regiments)

• The rank of Ressaidar was intermediate between Jemadar and Risaldar.

As per Dress Regulations 1913

Subadar Major or Risaldar Major-One crown

Subadar or Risaldar or Ressaider- Two pips

Jemadar- One pip

• In 1921 the Ressaidar rank was abolished, all existing Ressaidars being regraded as Risaldars.

As per Dress Regulations 1931

Subadar Major or Risaldar Major-One crown

Subadar or Risaldar- Two pips

Jemadar- One pip

After 1935, Afgan War

Risaldar Major or Subadar Major- Three pips (or crown) on the red-yellow-red band ribbon

Risaldar or Subedar- Two pips on red-yellow-red band ribbon

Jemadar- One pip on red-yellow-red band ribbon.

After 1945, Second World War

Risaldar Major or Subadar Major- One crown and red-yellow-red band ribbon after it.

Risaldar or Subadar- Two pips and red-yellow-red band ribbon after it.

Jemadar- One pip and red-yellow-red band ribbon after it.

Indian Non Commissioned Officers

Native Indians were appointed to supervise the activities of more junior ranks of the Indian Army.

Cavalry

• Daffadar Major- Royal Crest
• Daffardar- Three Chevrons
• Lance-Duffardar- Two Chevrons
• Acting Lance Daffadar- One Chevron

Infantry

• Havildar-Major - Royal Crest
• Havildar - Three Chevrons
• Naik (Naique) - Two Chevrons
• Lance-Naik - One Chevron

The 'other ranks' of Sepoy or Sowar- No Insignia

External Links

• Viceroy Commissioned Officer wikipedia
• Glossary: R British Library glossary of special terminology used in India during the British Administration.