French regiment in India brings back memories of Hyder-Tipu era

New Delhi, Jan 27: As the 124-member French military contingent marched down Rajpath amid loud cheers, they became the first foreign soldiers to take part in the Republic Day parade. But here's a fascinating fact — the moment brought the French Army, Indian Army, Pakistan Army, Tipu Sultan and the Swedish monarchy on the same side of history for the first time.

The French marching contingent included 76 personnel from the 35th Infantry Regiment of the French Army (35e regiment d'infanterie). This regiment had served in India from 1781 to 1784 in its previous avatar as the 35 Aquitaine Regiment. As part of the Franco-Mysore alliance, it took part in the Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-84), fought between the forces of the East India Company and the kingdom of Mysore under Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. The war ran parallel to the American Revolutionary War where the English were fighting their American colonies that were supported by the French.

During the war, Hyder Ali died and Tipu Sultan was forced to retreat to his capital in March 1783 when the Bombay Army invaded Mysore. The British decided to seize the opportunity to retake Cuddalore, which had been seized by Hyder from them earlier. The English advanced on Cuddalore with 1,600 European troops and 8,000 Indian troops and were joined by 1,000 cavalry of the Nawab of Arcot. Facing them were nearly 12,000 French and Indian troops, including 2,000 cavalry left behind by Tipu, under the command of Marquis de Bussy.

On June 25, 1783, the French tried to dislodge the British. At 3pm, the Aquitaine Regiment exchanged musket volleys with British and Indian troops and then conducted a bayonet charge. Facing this charge were Indian troops of the 24th Bengal Native Infantry and Madras Army. The charge was repulsed and the French withdrew with 450 men killed or wounded and 150 taken prisoners. Among those captured was Chevalier de Damas, who led the charge, and a young wounded soldier, Jean Baptiste de Bernadotte who later became a marshal in Napoleonic France and eventually became the king of Sweden. Interestingly, the House of Bernadotte still rules Sweden.

Meanwhile, the gallant action of the Indians was acknowledged and praised in England. "It was held as equally singular and extraordinary that the 24th battalion of the Bengal Sepoys, with another belonging to Madras, fought some of the oldest and best troops of France with the bayonet, and foiled them at that favourite European weapon, which is supposed to be the most trying test of the firmness and excellence of soldiers. It will probably then afford no small satisfaction to many who read this narrative, to be informed, that the general, in his address of thanks to the army, gave an assurance to those brave sepoys, that he would recommend their distinguished services to the governments of Bengal and Madras, that they, and their families, should be ever supported and rewarded according to their merit," reported the Annual Register of 1783 edited by none other than Edmund Burke.

The 24th Bengal Native Infantry later mutinied in 1857 and was disbanded, only to be re-raised in 1861. Today, it continues as the 6 Punjab Regiment of Pakistan Army.

The Aquitaine Regiment was withdrawn in 1784, while Mysore itself fell in 1799. Tipu's cavalry, which aided the French, later became the Mysore Lancers. After Independence, the Mysore, Gwalior and Jodhpur lancers were amalgamated into 61 Cavalry. On Tuesday, they marched immediately behind the French troops, as if it were a tribute to their former allies. Further back marched the brass band of the Madras Regimental Centre, the former nemesis of the French.