 The battalion was often referred to by the British as the Battalion of Sherdil or "Sherdil ki Paltan" because of a Muslim Sepoy Sherdil known to hold some special spiritual powers and was found out by a British officer for offering prayers at one place and being on sentry duty at other at exactly the same time.During the Second World War, the battalion fought in the Malayan Campaign and was taken prisoner by the Japanese on Singapore Island following the British surrender on 15 February 1942.90% of the officers and men of the battalion joined the Japanese Supported Indian National Army and fought against the British in the subsequent Battles.