Early Years

History of the Rajput Regiment dates back to 1778 when 31st Bengal Native Infantry, now 3 RAJPUT was raised at Cawnpore by Captain Masarak. He was immediately succeeded by Major Samuel Kilpatrick, after whose name the battalion was called "Kilpatrick Ki Paltan". Later it became 24 Bengal Native Infantry.

Four Battalions, i.e. 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Battalions of the Regiment were raised as 2/15, 2/16, 1/30 & 2nd Extra Regiment respectively till 1825. All the five Battalions participated in campaigns in the Nineteenth Century and the Regiment won 29 Battle Honours during the Pre World War-I era. The 3rd Battalion fought against Hyder Ali and captured Cuddalore. It was after this battle that the crossed daggers (also known as katars) as a badge was granted in recognition of gallantry. It has been adopted as the badge by the Rajput Regiment. In 1861, the Lucknow Regiment was re-designated as the "16th Lucknow Regiment “ and later 16 RAJPUT.

In 1921, the Indian Army was re-organised, and 16 RAJPUT moved to Fatehgarh and was converted into a Training Battalion. In 1922, the Rajput Group was formed and designated as the 7th Rajput Regiment. In 1942, the Training Battalion at Fatehgarh was designated as the 7th Rajput Regiment Centre. During the Second World War, it was the largest Centre in India having approximately 12,000 recruits. In 1945, the Centre was re-designated as the Rajput Regimental Centre.