View source for 101st Regiment of Foot (Royal Bengal Fusiliers)

{{for|other units with the same regimental number|101st Regiment of Foot (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = 101st Regiment of Foot
| image =
| caption =
| dates = 1652–1881
|country=[[File:Flag of the British East India Company (1801).svg|23px]] [[East India Company]] (1652–1858)<br>{{flag|United Kingdom}} (1858–1881)
|allegiance=
|branch=[[File:Flag of the British East India Company (1801).svg|23px]] [[Bengal Army]] (1652–1862)<br>{{army|United Kingdom}} (1862–1881)
| type = [[Infantry]]
| role = 
| size = One battalion (two battalions 1786–1803 and 1822–1829; three battalions 1786–1798)
| command_structure =
| garrison =[[Ballymullen Barracks]], [[Tralee]]
| garrison_label =
| nickname =
| patron =
| motto =
| colors =
| colors_label =
| march =
| mascot =
| equipment =
| equipment_label =
| battles =[[Seven Years' War]]<br>[[Mughal Empire|Campaign against the Mughal Empire]]<br>[[First Rohilla War]]<br>[[Second Anglo-Mysore War]]<br>[[First Anglo-Maratha War]]<br>[[Second Rohilla War]]<br>[[Second Anglo-Maratha War]]<br>[[Third Anglo-Maratha War]]<br>[[First Anglo-Afghan War]]<br>[[First Anglo-Sikh War]]<br>[[Second Anglo-Burmese War]]<br>[[Indian Rebellion of 1857|Indian Rebellion]]<br>[[Ambela Campaign]]
| anniversaries =
| decorations =
| battle_honours =
| battle_honours_label =
| disbanded =
| notable_commanders =
}}
The '''101st Regiment of Foot (Royal Bengal Fusiliers)''' was an [[infantry]] [[regiment]] of the [[East India Company]] and [[British Army]] that existed from 1652 to 1881. The regiment was raised in [[British Raj|India]] in 1652 by the East India Company as the company's first non-native infantry regiment. Over the following two centuries, the regiment was involved in nearly all of the East India Company's conflicts which consolidated British rule over India. The Royal Bengal Fusiliers was transferred to the command of the [[British Army]] in 1862 following the [[Indian Mutiny of 1857]] and the end of Company rule in India. Under the [[Childers Reforms]] it amalgamated with the [[104th Regiment of Foot (Bengal Fusiliers)]] to form the [[Royal Munster Fusiliers]] in 1881.

==History==
[[File:Abraham Roberts - Project Gutenberg eText 16528.jpg|thumb|left|Lieutenant-General [[Abraham Roberts|Sir Abraham Roberts]], colonel of the regiment in the 1860s]]

===Formation and consolidation of British rule===
[[File:1stEuropeanBengalFusilierspre1862.jpg|thumb|Soldiers of the 1st Bengal European Fusiliers, c.1850]]
The regiment was raised by the [[East India Company]] as a Guard of Honour in 1652.<ref name=regt>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/101-862.htm |title=101st Regiment of Foot (Royal Bengal Fusiliers) |publisher=regiments.org |access-date=17 August 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060330133039/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/101-862.htm |archive-date=30 March 2006}}</ref> The regiment was initially involved in guarding the East India Company's factories along the [[Hugli River]] in [[Bengal]] which was India's richest province. In December 1756 it was renamed the '''Bengal European Regiment''' – "European" indicating it was composed of white soldiers, not Indian [[sepoy]]s - by [[Robert Clive]] who amalgamated the existing independent companies of non-Indian troops to form the regiment.<ref name=regt/>

The [[Mughal Empire]], which had dominated India for centuries, was near collapse by the mid-18th century and the East India Company were fighting for supremacy with the growing French presence in India and becoming increasingly involved in local Indian politics. With the outbreak of the [[Seven Years' War]], the regiment were soon fighting against the [[Kingdom of France|French]] and Mughals throughout India and saw action at the [[Battle of Plassey]] in June 1757, the [[Battle of Condore]] in December 1758 and the [[Siege of Masulipatam]] in March 1759.<ref name=locations>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/deploy/uk/reg-inf/101.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060310073649/http://www.regiments.org/deploy/uk/reg-inf/101.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 March 2006|title=101st Regiment of Foot (Royal Bengal Fusiliers): Locations|access-date=25 March 2017}}</ref> It also fought at the [[Battle of Buxar]] in October 1764 during the [[Bengal War|campaign against the Mughal Empire]].<ref name=locations/> The British victories in these battles confirmed their military supremacy in the region and transformed the East India Company from a trading company with a scattered presence in India to the ruling power of Bengal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.historyextra.com/period/tudor/the-east-india-company-how-a-trading-corporation-became-an-imperial-ruler/|title=The East India Company: How a trading corporation became an imperial ruler|publisher=History Extra|date=21 January 2017|access-date=28 July 2019}}</ref>

The regiment was renamed the '''1st Bengal European Regiment''', on formation of the [[104th Regiment of Foot (Bengal Fusiliers)|2nd]] and [[107th (Bengal Infantry) Regiment of Foot|3rd Bengal European Regiments]], in 1765.<ref name=regt/> With its ruling status in Bengal confirmed, the East India Company began to expand its influence into neighbouring regions and the regiment went to take part in an action at [[Rohilkhand]] in April 1774 during the [[First Rohilla War]].<ref name=locations/> It fought at the [[Battle of Sholinghur]] in September 1781 during the [[Second Anglo-Mysore War]] and at skirmishes around [[Gujarat]] in 1782 during the [[First Anglo-Maratha War]].<ref name=locations/> After that it took part in an action at Rohilkhand in October 1794 during the [[Second Rohilla War]].<ref name=locations/>

===Early nineteenth century===
The regiment went on to fight at the [[Battle of Deeg]] in November 1804 during the [[Second Anglo-Maratha War]].<ref name=locations/> With the outbreak of the [[Napoleonic Wars]] in [[Europe]], the Royal Bengal Fusiliers would find themselves guarding Britain's interests in Asia for much of the early nineteenth century. Two companies were deployed to [[Macau]] in [[China]], which the British had taken over from the [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] following the French occupation of Portugal, in September 1808 but returned to India in December 1808.<ref name=locations/> A detachment went to the [[Dutch East Indies]] in 1810 and other detachments to [[Nepal]] and the [[Maluku Islands]] in 1814.<ref name=locations/> The regiment saw some combat in skirmishes with the [[Pindari]]s in 1817 during the [[Third Anglo-Maratha War]].<ref name=locations/> After that it took part in operations against the [[Jat people]] in December 1825 during the [[Siege of Bharatpur]].<ref name=locations/>

===The Victorian era===
[[File:1stBengalFusiliersMarchFromDagshaiMay1857.jpg|thumb|right|''"The 1st Bengal Fusiliers Marching Down from Dugshai",'' after George F. Atkinson, 1857. Soldiers are depicted wearing campaign dress of grey shirts and white covered forage caps]]
The regiment was deployed to [[Afghanistan]] in 1838 and saw action at the [[Battle of Ghazni]] in July 1839 during the [[First Anglo-Afghan War]].<ref name=locations/> Renamed the '''1st Bengal (European) Light Infantry''' in 1840,<ref name=regt/> it fought at the [[Battle of Ferozeshah]] in December 1845 and the [[Battle of Sobraon]] in February 1846 during the [[First Anglo-Sikh War]].<ref name=locations/> It became the '''1st Bengal European Fusiliers''',<ref name=regt/> also referred to in contemporary official papers, with inverted word ordering, as '''1st European Bengal Fusiliers''', in April 1846.<ref>For example in the correspondence of Lt.Col. George Gladwin Denniss (1821–1862) (ed. P. Chantler, South Molton, 2010) who invariably placed the word "European" before "Bengal"</ref> It was deployed to the Province of [[Bago, Myanmar|Pegu]] in April 1852 during the [[Second Anglo-Burmese War]].<ref name=locations/>

On the outbreak of the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|Indian Rebellion]] the order to march on [[Delhi]] was issued by Army Command in [[Shimla]], and reached the regiment at [[Dagshai]] through Major George Ogle Jacob on 13 May 1857. After receiving the order, the regiment marched down from its rest station at Dagshai and was due to reach [[Ambala|Umballa]] that evening.<ref>Correspondence of Lt.Col. George Gladwin Denniss II, 13/5/1857, ed. P. Chantler, South Molton, 2010</ref> Jacob was mortally wounded at the [[Siege of Delhi]] on 14 September 1857. His grave at Rajpura Cemetery, Delhi states: "Sacred to the memory of Major George Ogle Jacob, 1st Bengal Fusiliers, who whilst commanding his Regiment fell mortally wounded at the storming of Delhi, on the 14th September 1857, aged 38 years. This monument is erected by his family."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://glosters.tripod.com/IM6.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070207224008/http://glosters.tripod.com/IM6.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 February 2007|title=List of memorials from Indian Mutiny|access-date=25 March 2017}}</ref> The regiment went on to take part in the [[Capture of Lucknow]] in March 1858.<ref name=locations/> Five members of the regiment were awarded the [[Victoria Cross]] for their actions during the rebellion.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=22278||page=2420|date=21 June 1859}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=22212|page=5519|date=24 December 1858}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=22357|page=557|date=17 February 1860}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|date=6 May 1859|issue=22260|page=1867}}</ref>

After the Crown took control of the [[Presidency armies]] in the aftermath of the Indian Rebellion, the regiment became the '''1st Bengal Fusiliers''' in November 1859 and then the '''1st Royal Bengal Fusiliers''' in May 1861.<ref name=regt/> It was then renumbered as the '''101st Regiment of Foot (Royal Bengal Fusiliers)''' on transfer to the [[British Army]] in September 1862.<ref name=regt/>{{#tag:ref|"Her Majesty's Government have expressed an anxious desire to preserve the proud recollections of distinguished service which belong especially to the older Regiments of each Presidency, and to incorporate with Her Majesty's Army, Corps which have so greatly contributed to the acquisition and maintenance of Her Majesty's Dominions in the East. Her Majesty having graciously determined to mark Her estimation of the services of Her Indian Armies, by conferring the designation of "Royal" upon three of the European Regiments, and by selecting for this honour one Regiment from each Presidency...has much gratification in announcing that the following Regiments will henceforward bear the honourable designation of "Royal" Regiments...The 1st Bengal Fusiliers. The...older Regiments in the several Presidencies will thus be converted into Regiments of Her Majesty's General Army, and will be numbered and designated as follows...The 101st Regiment of Foot (Royal Bengal Fusiliers).<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=22514 |date=28 May 1861 |pages=2252–2253 }}</ref>|group=Note}} The regiment took part in the [[Ambela Campaign]] in 1863 and then embarked for England in late 1868.<ref name=locations/> It was sent to [[Malta]] in October 1874 and transferred to [[Cyprus]] in July 1878 before setting sail for [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]] in November 1878.<ref name=locations/>

As part of the [[Cardwell Reforms]] of the 1870s, where single-battalion regiments were linked together to share a single depot and recruiting district in the United Kingdom, the 101st was linked with the [[104th Regiment of Foot (Bengal Fusiliers)]], and assigned to district no. 70 at [[Ballymullen Barracks]] in [[Tralee]].<ref name=training>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/depot/1873.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210172841/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/depot/1873.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 February 2006|title=Training Depots|publisher=Regiments.org|access-date=16 October 2016}}</ref> On 1 July 1881 the [[Childers Reforms]] came into effect and the regiment amalgamated with the 104th Regiment of Foot (Bengal Fusiliers) to form the [[Royal Munster Fusiliers]].<ref name=regt/>

==Battle honours==
Battle honours awarded to the regiment were:<ref name=regt/>
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
*[[Battle of Plassey|Plassey]]
*[[Battle of Condore|Condore]]
*[[Battle of Buxar|Buxar]]
*[[First Rohilla War|Rohilcund 1774]]
*[[Battle of Sholinghur|Sholinghur]]
*[[First Anglo-Maratha War|Guzerat]]
*[[Battle of Deeg|Deig]]
*[[Siege of Bharatpur|Bhurtpore]]
*[[Battle of Ghazni|Ghuznee 1838]]
*[[First Anglo-Afghan War|Afghanistan 1839]]
*[[Battle of Ferozeshah|Ferozeshah]]
*[[Battle of Sobraon|Sobraon]]
*[[Second Anglo-Burmese War|Pegu]]
*[[Siege of Delhi|Delhi]], 1857
*[[Capture of Lucknow|Lucknow]]
}}

==Victoria Crosses==
*Lieutenant [[Francis David Millet Brown|Francis Brown]], [[Indian Mutiny]] (16 November 1857)
*Lieutenant [[Thomas Adair Butler]], Indian Mutiny (9 March 1858)
*Private [[John McGovern (VC)|John McGovern]], Indian Mutiny (23 June 1857)
*Sergeant [[James McGuire (VC)|James McGuire]], Indian Mutiny (14 September 1857)
*Drummer [[Miles Ryan]], Indian Mutiny (14 September 1857)

==Colonels of the Regiment==
Colonels of the Regiment included:<ref name= regt/>

;101st Regiment of Foot (Royal Bengal Fusiliers)
*1862–1873: Lt-Gen. Sir [[Abraham Roberts]], GCB
*1873–1881: Gen. Corbet Cotton

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=Note}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|last=Innes|first=Lieutenant-Colonel P. R. |title=History of the Royal European Regiment, now the Royal Munster Fusiliers|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.63168|publisher=London: Simpkin|year=1885}}

==External links==
*{{cite web |url=http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/101-862.htm |publisher=regiments.org |title=101st Regiment of Foot (Royal Bengal Fusiliers) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080113060607/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/101-862.htm |archive-date=13 January 2008 |url-status=dead|access-date=1 June 2007 }}

{{Regiments of Foot}}


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|keywords=Honourable East India Company regiments, Military units and formations established in 1652, Infantry regiments of the British Army, Military units and formations disestablished in 1881, Bengal Presidency, 1652 establishments in British India
|description=The 101st Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the East India Company and British Army that existed from 1652 to 1881. The regiment was ...
}}

[[Category:Honourable East India Company regiments]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1652]]
[[Category:Infantry regiments of the British Army]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1881]]
[[Category:Bengal Presidency]]
[[Category:1652 establishments in British India]]