The Garhwal Rifles

Jawans from the Garhwal Rifles, in the 'present arms' position, at an Army Parade in New Delhi. Serving in the Army has been a long tradition in the Garhwal hills and the Garhwalis were adopted in military service by the British as early as 1815. The first unit was raised in 1891 with the division of the 2/3 Gorkha Rifles which consisted of two Gorkha and six Garhwali companies, and the latter were re-designated as the 39th Garhwal Regiment of the Bengal Infantry. These Garhwali Jawans are carrying 7.62mm SLRs (Self Loading Rifles). Personnel from other Indian Army regiments can also be seen in the image.