Indian scrpt mark translation help needed

[katana]

Hi Spiral,
we 'touched' on your father's history before...when you kindly gave me info on my WW2 machete. I too wish to share my respect as well.

I found this painting which may or may not be of interest. It is a painting entitled "Sergeant McCabe at the Battle of Sobraon placing the Regimental Colour of the 31st Regiment on the Sikh ramparts, 10th February 1846." (Painting by Ackerman)

In the corner, one of the British soldiers is brandishing, what seems to be a Kukri. No other combatant has one, but neither he or the Sikh (he is about to attack) have scabbards so whether it belongs to the British soldier or has been taken from the Sikh is unclear. Were Kukri used by the British at this time? I've cropped and enlarge so that it can been seen better.

http://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk...cabe/p005.html

Regards David