Ramgarh Local Battalion (17895-1860)

On June 29, 1795, this force was created under the name of Ramgarh Local Battalion. The number of soldiers was only 448. When border problems escalated, these forces participated in long-term operations in the mountainous regions. The Ramgarh Local Battalion of the day consisted of 4 guns of 6-pounders and two irregular cavalry parties.     

Frontier Guards (1861-1890)

In 1861, the Ramgarh Local Battalion was reconstituted to consist of the regular and irregular police forces of the eastern region. Which is named Frontier Guards. The number of members was 1458 and the headquarters was in Chittagong. Which included the border outposts of Kamrup, Goalpara, Laxmipur, Sylhet and Tripura. In 1879, the first base was established in Pilkhana with the then members of the Special Reserve Company. Since then, the activities of the members of the Rifles in Pilkhana have continued.     

East Pakistan Rifles (1947-1971)

After the partition of India in 1947, this force was renamed East Pakistan Rifles or EPR for short. A contingent of the Kolkata Metropolitan Armed Police was joined by some Bengalis and eventually a thousand ex-servicemen from West Pakistan. Later this force was reorganized by recruiting three thousand Bengalis. Officers are recruited from the military to provide effective leadership and direction. In 1958, this force was given the responsibility of suppressing smuggling. In 1958, Brahmanbaria No. 1 Battalion Captain Major Tofail Ahmed sacrificed his life to protect the sovereignty of the motherland and earned the then national title of Nishan-e-Haider. Platoon Commander Shahid Naik Subedar Mohammad Azam earned the Sitara-i Zarat. 142 members of this force have been awarded the national gallantry title for their special contribution in our great liberation war. Out of which Shahid Lance Naik Munsi Abdur Rauf and Shahid Lance Naik Noor Mohammad Sheikh were awarded the posthumous title of Vir Shrestha. 9 people were awarded the title of Vir Uttam, 40 people were awarded the title of Vir Bikram and 91 people were awarded the title of Vir Prateek.     

Bangladesh Rifles or BDR (since 1972)

EPR was renamed BDR (Bangladesh Rifles) on 3rd March 1972 after the independence of the country. Ramgarh has a beautiful memorial plaque (BDR Sriti Shoudho) commemorating the birth of Bangladesh Rifles. So that the continuous history of BDR is covered through wall paintings.     

How to go:

The historical place related to the birth of BDR is located near the Indian border next to Ramgarh Upazila Parishad.