The regiment was raised during the upheaval of the
Indian Mutiny, at
Ferozepur on 1 July 1857, as the Ferozepore Punjab Battalion, composed entirely of Saraswat Brahmins and
Jat Sikhs. In 1860, a company of Punjabi Muslim
Awans and
Gakhars from
Sohawa Tehsil was added. In 1862, the regiment took part in operations in
Assam, while during the
Second Afghan War of 1878-80, it fought at
Peiwar Kotal, Charasiah and
Kabul. In 1887, two more companies of Punjabi Muslims, composed of
Janjuas and
Minhas Rajputs from
Dina,
Gujar Khan and
Kharian were added. In 1891, the regiment participated in the Black Mountain Expedition on the
North West Frontier of India. During the
First World War, they were stationed in
Ceylon on garrison duty and was called out to suppress the
riots in 1915 which they did brutally. Many atrocities were committed by the Punjabis during Martial Law that prevailed in the country. Following the incidents of the riots, 28th Punjabis was transferred to
Mesopotamia, where they fought in the bloody battles on the
Tigris Front, as the British made desperate efforts to relieve their besieged garrison at
Kut al Amara. In 1917, the regiment took part in the Third Battle of Sannaiyat, the Capture of
Baghdad, and the actions at Istabulat and Tekrit. In 1918, the 28th Punjabis participated in the British campaign in
Palestine. During the war, the regiment suffered a total of 1423 casualties. It raised a second battalion in 1918, which was disbanded after the war. In 1921, Sepoy
Ishar Singh of the 28th Punjabis was awarded the
Victoria Cross for exceptional valour during the
Waziristan Campaign. ==Subsequent history==