Rattray Sikhs

The Rattray Sikhs The Bengal Military Police Battalion raised in January 1856, by Capt T Rattray consisted of 500 cavalry and 1000 infantry. It is said that Captain Thomas Rattray, who founded the regiment went through the villages challenging men to wrestle with him. The Sikhs couldn‘t resist the offer but the condition that Capt. Rattray had demanded was that they had to join up.

Distinct Turbans

With the distinct chequered tartan frontispiece worn over their turbans, the Rattrays Sikhs have a unique and distinct identity of their own. Having first seen action during the Mutiny of 1857, the battalion served throughout the World Wars and even today remain a front line infantry battalion of the Indian Army.

It isn't recorded whether the condition requiring enlisting was dependant on Rattray's winning the match or whether his opponents did so just to have the chance to best a British Officer, such was the Sikhs love of wrestling.

Article from the Anglo Sikh Heritage Trail site / with minor witing added. For Additional Info [1]