The Indian Army’s uniform is not just clothing—it represents courage, identity, discipline, and national pride. Over the years, as India grew from a colony into a sovereign, modern nation, its military attire also evolved, reflecting the country’s changing needs, values, and challenges.
From British Red Coats to Practical Khaki
The history of the Indian Army uniform goes back to the colonial era. In the early days, the British East India Company organized Indian soldiers, known as sepoys, under the Bengal, Bombay, and Madras Presidencies. These sepoys wore uniforms that were heavily influenced by British traditions, including bright red coats.
However, red made soldiers easy targets in battle. To fix this, in 1848, British officers Sir Harry Burnett Lumsden and William Stephen Raikes Hodson introduced khaki uniforms for better camouflage. “Khaki,” which means “dust-coloured” in Urdu, matched the Indian landscape and helped soldiers blend in during combat. This new uniform proved effective and was widely adopted by the British Army in India by the time of the 1857 revolt. The success of khaki even influenced militaries around the world.
Post-1947: A New Look for a New Nation
After India gained independence in 1947, the Indian Army was born out of the former British Indian Army. To build a separate identity from Pakistan’s forces, which kept the traditional khaki, India adopted olive-green uniforms. This marked a fresh start, symbolising patriotism and unity. British rank badges and symbols were replaced with Indian icons—Pakistan chose the crescent, while India proudly displayed the Ashoka emblem.
1980s–1990s: Camouflage Gets Serious
In the 1980s, the Indian Army needed uniforms that could help soldiers hide better in tough regions like Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast. This led to the use of camouflage patterns with earthy greens and browns. These designs helped troops blend into forests and mountain terrains more effectively.
Early 2000s: The PC DPM Era
By the early 2000s, the Army introduced the PC DPM (Disruptive Pattern Material) uniform. This was inspired by designs used by the French Army and was tailored to suit India’s diverse geography. Its pixelated design made camouflage better across various landscapes, becoming the most recognised look of Indian soldiers for nearly 20 years—even in popular films.
Still, the pattern wasn’t ideal for every environment. It worked well in jungles and mountains but didn’t match desert conditions, such as in Rajasthan.
2022: A Modern Uniform for a Modern Force
The biggest change came in 2022 when the Indian Army introduced its newest combat uniform on Army Day. Created in collaboration with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), this digital camouflage uniform is made from a cotton-polyester blend. It is lighter, more breathable, and dries faster—perfect for today’s fast-moving military operations. More importantly, it is designed to work in all terrains, from forests to deserts.
This transformation of the Indian Army uniform over the past 75 years shows how deeply clothing can reflect a country’s journey—politically, militarily, and culturally.
