Subedar facts for kids
A Subedar is an important military rank. It is used in the Indian Army and the Pakistan Army. In the past, it was also a key rank in the British Indian Army.
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History of the Subedar Rank
In the past, during British rule in India, a Subedar was a very important rank for Indian soldiers. It was the second-highest rank an Indian could get. Soldiers became Subedars based on how long they served and how well they did their job.
If a Subedar was in the cavalry (soldiers who ride horses), they were called a Risaldar. These officers were higher than a Jemadar but lower than a Subedar Major. Both Subedars and Risaldars wore two stars on their uniform to show their rank.
Why the Rank Was Created
The rank of Subedar was started by the East India Company. This was done to help British officers talk to Indian soldiers more easily. Because of this, Subedars often needed to know some English. In the early days, a group of soldiers (a company) would have one Subedar.
For a long time, until 1866, Subedar was the highest rank an Indian soldier could reach. A Subedar could only command other Indian troops. They could not give orders to British soldiers. These officers were usually older, experienced soldiers who had served for many years.
Changes to the Rank Over Time
Before India became independent, Subedars were called Viceroy's commissioned officers (VCOs). After 1947, this name changed to junior commissioned officers. It took many more years before Indian soldiers could become "King's Commissioned Officers." These were higher ranks usually held by British officers.
The uniform of a Subedar changed over the years. At first, they wore special shoulder decorations. Later, they wore two crossed golden swords on their collar. If they were in a Gurkha regiment, they wore two crossed golden kukris (a type of knife). After 1900, Subedars wore two pips (small symbols) on each shoulder.
During British rule, Subedars and other VCOs wore special uniforms. These uniforms mixed parts of both British and Indian military clothing styles.
Subedar After Independence
After India became independent in 1947, the old Indian Army was split. It was divided into the armies of India and Pakistan.
Subedar in the Indian Army
In the Indian Army, Subedar is now the second-highest rank for a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO). They wear two gold stars on their shoulder strap. Below the stars, there is a gold-red-gold stripe. Junior Commissioned Officers in the Indian Army are considered similar to Group-B Gazetted Officers in India.
Subedar in the Pakistan Army
In the Pakistan Army, the rank of Subedar is also a senior Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) rank. The ribbon band on their shoulder strap is now red-green-red.
