Auxiliary Regiments

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Auxiliary or volunteer regiments were usually local civilian volunteer corps tasked with local security.

Contents

History

  • Post-1858 - volunteer corps formed over subsequent decades
  • 1917 - Formation of Indian Defence Force (IDF), disbanded at the end of the war
  • 1920 - Formation of Auxiliary Force (India) (AFI)

Indian volunteer corps

After the Indian Mutiny local volunteer infantry forces began to be set up. Cavalry corps started in the 1860s and the first volunteer artillery brigade was constituted in 1879. Railway companies also formed infantry corps from their staff beginning in 1869.

The volunteer corps were open to Europeans and 'Eurasians' and, with the exception of an adjutant, consisted entirely of volunteers. The corps were involved in local security

Indian Defence Force

During the First World War compulsory service was deemed necessary and the Indian Defence Force Act was passed in 1917. The volunteer corps became units of the IDF and were redesignated. European British men between the ages of 18 and 41 were subject to compulsory service. Some corps allowed Indians to join as volunteers.

Auxiliary Force India

A further reorganization of the units occured in 1920 when the Auxiliary Force (India) replaced the IDF. The AFI was disbanded upon Independence. Volunteers enrolled for an indefinite period but could be discharged after four years (or upon reaching the age of 45).

Cavalry

Infantry

1917 redesignations

Corps redesignated as numbered battalions on the 1st April 1917 on formation of the IDF:

1920 redesignations

Battalions and regiments redesignated on the 1st October 1920 on formation of the AFI:

Artillery

Engineers

Corps Of Signals

Machine Gun Corps

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