The Government of India has declared repugnant some battle honours earned by Indian Army units, which are descended from erstwhile units of the Presidency armies under the East India Company and later under the British Indian Army of the British Raj.[1] Indian Army units do not inscribe these battle honours on their colours and do not celebrate commemoration days associated with these battles.[2] This decision was taken post-independence regarding those battle honours concerned with battles in India and Pakistan which the Indian government regards as part of the "subjugation" of India and in some cases, neighbouring countries.[3][4]
Repugnant battle honours include :
The earliest battle honour held by the modern Indian Army which is not considered by the Indian Government to be "repugnant" and can be emblazoned on colours is "Bourbon" (dated 8 July 1810) which is held by the 3rd Battalion, Brigade of the Guards. Battle honours prior to this period have either been lost due to disbandment, are now held only by units transferred to Pakistan during Partition, or are considered by the Indian Government to be repugnant.[3]: 78
Other pre-World War I battle honours not considered by the Indian Government to be repugnant are as follows :[3]: 297