Assam Rifles celebrated its 188th Raising Day on 24-03-2023 at its Laitkor Garrison, Shillong, and also at its various formations and units in the North East and Jammu and Kashmir.
The AR is the oldest paramilitary force in India, originally raised in 1835 as Cachar Levy, a militia to protect tea gardens and fertile plains of Assam against unruly tribes.
- Its scope increased with the expansion of British Raj in Northeast India, and were used against insurgency in the region.
- The force was redesigned as Assam Frontier Police in 1883, Assam Military Police in 1891, and East Bengal and Assam Military Police in 1913. It got its present name in 1917.
- The AR is commanded by the Director General of the Assam Rifles (DG AR) who is appointed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.