The 1st Infantry of Hyderabad Contingent was an army infantry unit of the British East India Company. The Hyderabad Contingent was the armed force of the Nizam of Hyderabad. After the 1801 treaty, the Nizam of Hyderabad was obligated to maintain a military force at Hyderabad. The battalion was also popular as the Nizam`s Army and the Nizam`s Contingent. Afterwards the contingent was included in the Kumaon Regiment of the British Army in India. The Nizam`s Army was considered one of the Presidency Armies in British India. After the year 1903, the presidency armies were amalgamated together to establish the British Indian Army. The 1st Infantry of Hyderabad Contingent was also known as the 94th Russell`s Infantry.
History of 1st Infantry of Hyderabad Contingent
The infantry regiment was established in the year 1813 as the 1st Battalion of the Russell Brigade for the Princely state of Hyderabad. It became a part of the armed force of Nizam of Hyderabad after signing of a treaty with the Governor General of India.
Military Operations of 1st Infantry of Hyderabad Contingent
The 1st Infantry of Hyderabad Contingent actively fought in the Battle of Mahidpur during the Third Anglo Maratha War. Later the unit provided significant service in the Siege of Nowah and the Capture of Nowah. The regiment also served in the First World War and was attached as a part of the 18th Indian Division. They later took part in the Mesopotamia Campaign. In the year 1918, the 94th Russell`s Infantry participated in the military action at the Fatha Gorge and on the Little Zab. It was attached to the Tigris Corps. The battalion also fought in the Battle of Sharqat in October 1918.
Development of 1st Infantry of Hyderabad Contingent
When the First World War culminated, the British Indian Army was re-grouped and re-structured by the British Government of India. The various single battalion regiments were later merged to form multi battalion regiments comprising of 4 to 6 battalions in each unit. The regiment of the 94th Russell`s Infantry was re-designated as the 1st Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment in 1922.
On 15th August 1947, the nation gained freedom from the political supremacy of the British Empire in India. Consequently, British India was separated with the Partition of India and the British army was divided amongst the Union of India and the Dominion of Pakistan. The 1st Infantry of Hyderabad Contingent was assigned to the modern Indian Army.
Designations of 1st Infantry of Hyderabad Contingent
The army unit held a various designations during its service in the British Indian Army, like the other regiments. These are listed below -
* 1st Battalion of the Russell Brigade in 1813
* 1st Regiment of Infantry, Nizam`s Army in 1826
* 1st Infantry of Hyderabad Contingent in 1854
* 94th Russell`s Infantry in 1903
* 1st Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment in 1922
* Assigned to modern Indian Army in 1947
