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'''Subedar-Major''' ([[Sergeant major|Sergeant Major]]) is the senior rank of [[junior commissioned officer]] in the [[Indian Army|Indian]] and [[Pakistan Army|Pakistani]] Armies, and formerly a [[Viceroy's commissioned officer]] in the [[British Indian Army]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Archives|first=The National|title=The National Archives - Homepage|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/indian-army-personnel/|access-date=2021-01-22|website=The National Archives|language=en-GB}}</ref>


Although commissioned, they would be considered as senior enlisted personnel and fulfil a role similar to that of the most senior non-commissioned officers in other armies. A battalion's single subedar-major assists the commander in much the same way as a [[regimental sergeant major]] would (to the extent that this rank, known as regimental havildar major, is now almost obsolete in the Indian Army).
'''Subedar Major''' is the senior-most rank of [[junior commissioned officer]] in the [[Indian Army|Indian]] and [[Pakistan Army|Pakistani]] Armies, formerly known as the [[Viceroy's commissioned officer]] in the [[British Indian Army]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Archives|first=The National|title=The National Archives - Homepage|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/indian-army-personnel/|access-date=2021-01-22|website=The National Archives|language=en-GB}}</ref>


Under British rule a subedar-major wore the [[British Army officer rank insignia|crown]] of a full major, a tradition which has continued with slight variation after independence. India now uses [[Army ranks and insignia of India|Ashoka lions]] with a gold and red stripe below, and Pakistan a wreathed [[star and crescent]] with green and red. These stripes separate subedar-majors from full commissioned Majors.
==History==
During the British Raj, Battalion Subedar-Major was the highest rank natives could achieve. He would serve as a representative of his people to British officers. Under British rule, in the [[British Indian Army]] a subedar-major wore the [[British Army officer rank insignia|crown]] of a full major, a tradition which has continued with slight variation after independence. In the cavalry, the equivalent rank is [[Risaldar-Major]]. Subedar-Major or Risaldar-Major equated to a British Major and Subedar or Risaldar to Captain, although junior to all British officers.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Guide to Indian Army Ranks |url=http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:fKhhWLyngkAJ:www.empirefaithwar.com/tell-their-story/research-your-soldier/helpful-guides/indian-army-ranks+&cd=15&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=in&client=firefox-b-d |website=EMPIRE, FAITH & WAR |ref=These were long-serving soldiers who had been promoted through the ranks on merit, and would have been aged into their forties on appointment.}}</ref>


In the cavalry, the equivalent rank is [[Risaldar-Major]]. Subedar-Major or Risaldar-Major equated to a British Major and Subedar or Risaldar to Captain, although junior to all British officers.
==Post Independence==


== Use in Pakistan ==
After independence, which came in 1947 with the [[Partition of India]], the former British Indian Army was divided between [[India]] and [[Pakistan]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Army- Indian Independence |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Army#Indian_independence}}</ref>{{Circular reference|date=July 2021}}
Similar to other [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] countries, [[Pakistan Army]] inherited its rank structure from the [[British Empire]]. Sergeant Major is now the highest JCO/OR rank in the Pakistan Army, its equivalent to [[NATO]] OR-9 rank.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pak Army Ranks Insignia|url=https://pakarmy.com.pk/pak-army-ranks-insignia/|access-date=2021-01-22|website=Pakistan Army|language=en-US}}</ref> It is also known by other names such as Subedar Major or Risaldar Major. Battalion Subedar-Major (BSM) on the other hand is an appointment within a [[regiment]]. A Battalion Subedar-Major is responsible for advising the unit officers on matters pertaining to enlisted ranks. He is also responsible for maintaining enlisted ranks discipline.


During the British Raj, Battalion Subedar-Major was the highest rank natives could achieve. He would serve as a representative of his people to British officers. This holds significance in Pakistan Army culture, as Battalion Sergeant Major is regarded as an advocate for the enlisted ranks. Officers usually refer to senior enlisted ranks like Battalion Sergeant Major as 'Sahab', which translates to Sir or 'Staff', as terms of respect.
===Indian Army===
{{Main|Army ranks and insignia of India}}
 
In the [[Indian Army]], Subedar Major(SM) is junior only to a Lieutenant who is a [[Commissioned Officer]] and is accorded the highest respect by Commissioned Officers, JCO's, and NCO's, as they possess a high amount of experience and are referred to as ''SM Sahab'' by all. He can be the SM of a single unit or the SM of an HQ that has troops, under its command. Many times, they have been given honorary ranks<ref>{{cite web |title=Subedar Major Yogendra Yadav’s indomitable spirit can never be forgotten|url=https://www.mynation.com/india-news/subedar-major-yogendra-yadavs-indomitable-spirit-can-never-be-forgotten-qsw2z7 |website=My Nation |ref=Subedar Major (Honorary Lieutenant) Yogendra Singh Yadav is the youngest person to ever be honoured.}}</ref> such as Hon. Lieutenant and Hon. Captain, as a mark of respect for their exceptional service record. The Subedar Major's and other [[Junior Commissioned Officers]] of the Indian Army is equivalent to Group-B Gazetted Officers in [[Gazetted Officer (India)|India]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Army corrects JCO status after 6 years |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-army-corrects-jco-status-after-6-years-2557368 |agency=DNA}}</ref>
 
The Subedar Major ranks now use [[Army ranks and insignia of India|Ashoka lions]] with a Gold National Emblem with a red-gold-red stripe below. These stripes separate subedar-majors from full commissioned [[Major]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Insignia For Junior Commissioned Officers |url=https://www.embibe.com/exams/indian-army-ranks/ |website=Embibe}}</ref>
 
Subedar Major within the [[Indian Army]] is considered as the chief advisor of the Commanding Officer, responsible for advising him in critical service matters. Any incident which is affecting the unit administration, security, or morale of troops is reported by him, to the Commanding Officer. He is responsible for the security of troops, civilians, soldiers of other corps and services, posted in the unit, and troops who have come on outstation assignment to his unit. He also ensures the maintenance of unit & regiment traditions, ethos and customs, the upkeep, and the maintenance of religious places within the battalion.<ref>A CO depends heavily on the Subedar Major for advice, particularly in matters concerning discipline, welfare, and morale.https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/column/the-indomitable-subedar-major-702697</ref>
 
The Subedar Major is also the unit or regiment Cashier who handles all cash transactions. He is also responsible for the welfare of all his junior JCO's as well as NCO's and OR's.<ref>{{cite news |title=Army moots more powers for JCOs, to be given authority to write Annual Confidential Reports |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/indian-army-acr-junion-junior-commissioned-officers-5997622/ |agency=The Indian Express |ref=It is now proposed that the JCOs (ranks of Naib Subedar to Subedar Major) who serve as Platoon Commanders, senior JCOs and Subedar Majors in units should wrote the ACRs of the NCOs as they serve directly under them. Presently, the JCOs have no say in the writing of the ACRs.}}</ref> A unit's Subedar Major also acts as a mentor to young commissioned officers as well as soldiers and is responsible for maintaining the collective discipline of the unit.<ref>{{cite news |title=The indomitable Subedar Major |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/column/the-indomitable-subedar-major-702697 |agency=The Tribune}}</ref>
 
===Pakistan Army===
Similar to other [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] countries, [[Pakistan Army]] inherited its rank structure from the [[British Empire]]. Sergeant Major is now the highest JCO/OR rank in the Pakistan Army, its equivalent to [[NATO]] OR-9 rank, with a wreathed [[star and crescent]] with green and red. These stripes separate subedar-majors from full commissioned [[Major]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pak Army Ranks Insignia|url=https://pakarmy.com.pk/pak-army-ranks-insignia/|access-date=2021-01-22|website=Pakistan Army|language=en-US}}</ref> It is also known by other names such as Subedar Major or Risaldar Major. Battalion Subedar-Major (BSM) on the other hand is an appointment within a [[regiment]]. A Battalion Subedar-Major is responsible for advising the unit officers on matters pertaining to enlisted ranks. He is also responsible for maintaining enlisted ranks discipline.
 
After the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the rank still holds significance in Pakistan Army culture, as the Sergeant Major in a battalion is regarded as an advocate for the enlisted ranks. Officers usually refer to senior enlisted ranks like Battalion Sergeant Major as 'Sahab', which translates to Sir or 'Staff', as terms of respect.


Military colleges like [[College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering]], [[Military College of Signals]], [[Military College of Engineering (Pakistan)|Military College of Engineers]], [[Pakistan Military Academy]] and [[Army Medical College]] also use Battalion Sergeant Major as a [[cadet]] appointment reserved for senior year students.<ref>{{Cite web|title=PAKISTAN ARMY|url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/Pakistan-Military-Academy.php|access-date=2021-01-22|website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk}}</ref>
Military colleges like [[College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering]], [[Military College of Signals]], [[Military College of Engineering (Pakistan)|Military College of Engineers]], [[Pakistan Military Academy]] and [[Army Medical College]] also use Battalion Sergeant Major as a [[cadet]] appointment reserved for senior year students.<ref>{{Cite web|title=PAKISTAN ARMY|url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/Pakistan-Military-Academy.php|access-date=2021-01-22|website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk}}</ref>
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==References==
==References==
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{{Military of India}}
{{Military of Pakistan}}


[[Category:Military ranks of British India]]
[[Category:Military ranks of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Military ranks of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Military ranks of India]]
[[Category:Military ranks of the Indian Army]]
[[Category:Military ranks of British India]]
 
 
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