Regimental Belt
Highland Museum of Childhood

This leather belt shows clear evidence of wear. It belonged to a member of the 107th Bengal Regiment of Foot. This British infantry regiment is now associated with controversy as it was raised by the East India Company in 1765.  

Although privately owned, the East India Company raised armies to protect their interests in India. These armies only became part of the British crown when India was colonised following the First War of Indian Independence in 1857.   

In this regiment, white British officers commanded battalions of Indian soldiers, known as sepoys. In 1857, many sepoys mutinied against British rule; nevertheless, many stayed loyal to the regiment, supressing the uprising alongside the British.