Editing Assam Rifles (section)

=== Early history ===
The present day Assam Rifles can trace its origins to a paramilitary force known as ''Cachar Levy'' which was established by the [[United Kingdom|British]] in 1835 in the [[Assam]] region. The Assam Rifles boasts of being the oldest paramilitary force. With approximately seven hundred and fifty men, this force was formed as a police unit to protect settlements against tribal raids and other assaults as British rule slowly moved towards the north east parts of India.<ref name=History />

Despite problems with equipment and training, the contribution of this force in opening the region to administration and commerce was nevertheless quite significant and over time they have become known as the "right arm of the civil and [the] left arm of the military" in the region.<ref name=History /> In 1870 these existing elements were merged into three Assam Military Police battalions which were spread out in the [[Lushai Hills]] (later 1st battalion), [[Lakhimpur district|Lakhimpur]] (2nd battalion) and [[Naga Hills]] (3rd battalion). A fourth battalion was later formed [[Imphal]] in 1915.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} Following India's independence, Col. Sidhiman Rai, MC, was appointed the first Indian DG of Assam Rifles.

Since then the name of the force has undergone a number of changes, as have the roles that it has been required to perform.