The Madras Regiment is one of the oldest regiments in the Indian army. It was established more than three centuries ago – in the mid-1700s.
In the year 1746, the British and the French, desperate to gain a foothold in India, were at loggerheads with each other. Robert Clive, referred to as ‘Clive of India,’ was intent on defeating the French. To protect the English East India company’s commercial interests, he needed to build an army of brave men.
To accomplish this task, the English East India Company recruited Major Stringer Lawrence –– a veteran of battles in Spain, Flanders, and the Highlands –– to command the defence of Cuddalore in 1748. Lawrence established the groundwork for what would eventually become the Indian army.
The Madras Government raised the troops. The men of these troops were ‘only partially armed, yet to be disciplined.’ They used matchlocks, bows, arrows, swords, and anything else they could get their hands on. Fearless, they proved their strength by beating the French at Cuddalore. With that victory, the Madras Presidency placed the troops on a regular footing, starting in 1758.
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