Azad Kashimir Regiment badge

[Brian Wolfe]

Hello Everyone,

I just got this piece in from Islamabad this week and wanted to show it off here. I believe this is a display badge for the Azad Kashmir Regiment as it seems too large at 55 mm wide X 72 mm tall for a cap badge. It is also quite heavy and from what I can see is a solid casting. It is mounted on a round piece of plexi glass for display.

The Azad Kashmir Regiment is unique in that it raised itself during the Indo/Pakistani War and defended their territory against a greater number of better armed advisories (the Indian Army). After the war Pakistan gave the regiment formal status thereby making it a part of the Pakistan Army. You should check out the internet for more information on this interesting unit. This is a far as I will take the history as it could turn political and I have friends in both countries so I want to remain neutral.

One of the things I like about this badge is that the maple leaf is also the emblem of my country, Canada (in case there is anyone who is not aware of this).

I hope you like my new addition to my Pakistan collection.

Regards

Brian

[Brian Wolfe]

Here is the Azad Kashmir Commemoritive Medal along side the badge so that you can get an idea of the badge's size. I believe the medal would be about the same size as an average cap badge.

Thanks for looking.

Regards

Brian

[Ed_Haynes]

Looks like a presentation display piece to me. Someting to set upon a shelf in your office.

[Hugh]

Hello Everyone,

I just got this piece in from Islamabad this week and wanted to show it off here. I believe this is a display badge for the Azad Kashmir Regiment as it seems too large at 55 mm wide X 72 mm tall for a cap badge. It is also quite heavy and from what I can see is a solid casting. It is mounted on a round piece of plexi glass for display.

The Azad Kashmir Regiment is unique in that it raised itself during the Indo/Pakistani War and defended their territory against a greater number of better armed advisories (the Indian Army). After the war Pakistan gave the regiment formal status thereby making it a part of the Pakistan Army. You should check out the internet for more information on this interesting unit. This is a far as I will take the history as it could turn political and I have friends in both countries so I want to remain neutral.

One of the things I like about this badge is that the maple leaf is also the emblem of my country, Canada (in case there is anyone who is not aware of this).

I hope you like my new addition to my Pakistan collection.

Regards

Brian

With greatest respect to our Canadian friends, I suspect the leaf is not a maple. There is another tree often used in heraldry of the region. I think the name is chinar, but I'm not at all sure. I suspect someone with more recent connections to the region will enlighten us.

Hugh

Edited October 12, 2008 by Hugh

[Ed_Haynes]

Yes, a chinar, as used on the J&K clasp on the Indian GSM 1947 and on the J&K clasp to the Sainya Seva Medal. I think this is the Platanus orientalis.

Edited October 12, 2008 by Ed_Haynes

[Hugh]

Yes, a chinar, as used on the J&K clasp on the Indian GSM 1947 and on the J&K clasin to the Sainya Seva Medal. I think this is the Platanus orientalis.

But that doesn't mean you should like it any the less, Brian.

[Brian Wolfe]

But that doesn't mean you should like it any the less, Brian.

Hi Hugh,

Indeed, I do like it as well. The fellow I purchased this from identified it as maple. He was probably trying to relate it to something I would recognize.

Thanks for everyone's comments.

Regards

Brian

[Brian Wolfe]

Yes, a chinar, as used on the J&K clasp on the Indian GSM 1947 and on the J&K clasp to the Sainya Seva Medal. I think this is the Platanus orientalis.

Hi Ed,

I guess there is just a resemblance to the Acer and no family connection. I stand corrected.

Regards

Brian