The Assam Rifles, the oldest paramilitary force of India, was formed in:

The Assam Rifles traces its origin to the Cachar Levy, a militia raised by the British in 1835 to protect the North-East frontier.

History of the force:

• The Cachar Levy was raised with about 750 men to protect British tea estates and settlements in the Cachar area from tribal raids.
• Over time, it was renamed several times: the Assam Frontier Police, the Assam Military Police and the Eastern Bengal and Assam Military Police.
• In 1917, during the First World War, it was renamed the Assam Rifles, in recognition of its services.

Role in the World Wars:

• Soldiers of the Assam Rifles fought in Europe and the Middle East during the First World War.
• During the Second World War, the force fought the Japanese in Burma and in the North-East.

After independence:

• The Assam Rifles took part in operations in the North-East and in Tibet-related security matters.
• It played a role in the defence of the North-East during the conflict with China.

Present role:

• It guards the India-Myanmar border.
• It carries out counter-insurgency operations in the North-Eastern states.
• It helps maintain law and order in the region and carries out civic action programmes.
• It is called the "Sentinels of the North-East" and the "Friends of the Hill People".

Control:

• It is one of the Central Armed Police Forces, under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Its operational control lies with the Indian Army, and most of its officers are deputed from the Army.
• It has a dual control structure, which has been debated over the years.

Headquarters:

Its headquarters is at Shillong in Meghalaya.

Motto:

Its motto is "Friends of the North-East People".

Distinction:

It is the oldest paramilitary force of India.

Why not the other options?

• ✗1857 is the year of the Revolt.
• ✗1885 is the year the Indian National Congress was founded.
• ✗1917 is when the force got the name "Assam Rifles".