The First Battalion the Parachute Regiment, the eldest Battalion of our Army, was raised as 8th Battalion of Coast Sepoys by Capt. Cooke in Trinchinopoly in 1761. From these early roots, it rose to give a glorious account of itself, staraddling  three  centuries  of  Indian  Military history and emerging through incessant campaigning as an epitome of valour, loyalty and military tradition.

After continuous active service in India, it was one of the first units to leave its shores and saw action in Trincomalee, Ceylon in 1795. In a span of 140 years, it was thrice called out to fight in Burma and also served in Penang, Malacca and Singapore. By 1902, 7 Madras Infantry, as it then came to be known, established itself as one of the finest fighting outfits in the country.

In 1903, 7 Madras Infantry was reorganised as the 67th Punjabis. After the outbreak of World War I, the Battalion found itself in the valley of Tigris in Mesopotami in 1915. It gave a spirited account of itself in the seige of Kut AI Amara and fought fierce battles With the Turks earning 98 decorations and the battle honour of 'Kut AI Amara' and the theatre honour of 'Mesopotamia 1915-1918' and returned to India in 1920.

The Battalion was re-designated 'as 1 1/2nd PUNJAB in 1922 and after a long but deserved respite it went on to spend another three years (1936-39) in Malaya. The Battalion's participation in World  War II was a saga of memorable battles and sacrifices through a bloody pageant of historic names in Indian Military history. The indomitable spirit of the Battalion showed best during the battle for the Idice Bridgehead in Italy

At the onset of partition in 1947, the Muslim companies of the Battalion went to Pakistan and the Sikh and Dogra companies from 1st frontier Force Rifles replaced them. The Battalion was flown to Srinagar and onward to Baramula in October 1947 for the operations in Jammu and Kashmir. It saw action in Jhangar, Naushera, Gurund Gali, Pir Badesar and earned its first post Independence battle honour "Punch" for its role in the recapture of that town.

It was selected to represent  India  in the UNEF forces at Gaza and served there in 1957-58. In 1961, the Battalion celebrated its Bicentenary to mark 200 years of unbroken service and followed it up with a swift entry into Panjim, Goa during operation Vijay against the Portugese. In 1965, new chapters were added when the Battalion captured the famous Hajipir Pass earning the Batallion its second post­ independence battle honour. In 1971 war, the Battalion earned fresh laurels.

In April, 1975, it assisted in a large measure the merger of Sikkim in the Indian Union. It received three decorations including the first Shaurya Chakra for its efforts.

In 1978, the Battalion was converted into a modern breed of Commandos. Apart from a reorganisation in its structure, a more difficult and unconventional form of training, a stricter method of selecting every member of this elite force was also incorporated.

These personnel specialise in various skills such as underwater diving, sky diving, rock climbing, handling explosives and survival in tropical jungles. There is a team of martial arts pros who temper every person in unarmed combat.

The Department of Posts is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on the 225th Anniversary of 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment  Commando.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India