The Madras Rifle Corps, originally known as Madras Volunteer Battalion, was one of the most prominent light infantry battalions, which was raised by the Honourable British East India Company. The military unit remained in service from the year 1810 to 1869. It was a part of the army of Madras Presidency, before the starting of the Indian Rebellion in 1857. The Madras Army was one of the 3 major Presidency Armies in British India. The Madras Presidency Army was created with the objective of defending the commercial interests of the East India Company. The military forces of the British Presidencies operated under the British East India Company until the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. The Government of India Act 1858, which was authorized after the Sepoy Mutiny in the year 1857, reassigned the authority of the 3 Presidency Armies to the British Empire in India from the British East India Company.
History of Madras Rifle Corps
The Madras Rifle Corps battalion was formed as the Madras Volunteer Battalion on 10 February 1810 in the Madras Presidency of the HEIC. Captain W. Munro was appointed as the Commanding Officer of the battalion. He previously served in the 15th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry. At the time of its formation, the army unit included both European and native Indian army personnel.
The authorized strength of the Madras Rifle Corps battalion at the time of its inception is mentioned below-
Europeans Army Personnel in Madras Volunteer Battalion
* 1 Captain Commanding Officer
* 3 Captains
* 10 Lieutenants
* 5 Ensigns
* 1 Adjutant
* 1 Surgeon
* 1 Assistant Surgeon
* 1 Sergeant Major
* 1 Quartermaster Sergeant
Native Army Personnel in Madras Volunteer Battalion
* 10 Subedars
* 10 Jemadars
* 50 Havildars
* 50 Naiks
* 900 Sepoys
* 20 Drummers and Fifers
* 12 Puckallies
In March 1814, the Madras Volunteer Battalion was reorganized and re-designated as the Madras Rifle Corps. The company was weaponed with the Baker rifle. Later the British Indian army unit took part in the Mahratta War from the year 1817 to 1818 and was highly distinguished for providing valuable military service.
In the year 1830, the Madras Rifle Corps was disassembled and separate rifle units were united with the 1st regiment of Madras infantry, 5th regiment of Madras infantry, 16th regiment of Madras infantry, 24th regiment of Madras infantry, 26th regiment of Madras infantry, 36th regiment of Madras infantry, 38th regiment of Madras infantry and 49th regiment of Madras infantry. The separate rifle battalions existed till the year 1869 after which the companies were dissolved.
