Later battalions recruited from the entire Shahabad area (the present day districts of Bhojpur (Arrah), Buxar, Rohtas & Kaimur in Bihar).

The Bihari, or Purbiya, soldiers thereafter made up the backbone of the Bengal Infantry of the British Colonial Army.

The Indian Rebellion of 1857 against the introduction of greased cartridges (thought to be done so with a mixture of beef and pork fat—abhorrent to Hindus and Muslims),[7] was led by Bihari troops, who preferred being blown by the guns exploding to losing their faith.

[8] Their victories at home including those of Buxar, Karnatic and Maratha Wars along with those in Malaya, Sumatra and Egypt won them laurels.

On 15 December 1971, a seaborne expedition was launched at Cox's Bazar to prevent Pakistani troops from escaping into Burma.

Twenty Indian soldiers were killed, including the commanding-officer of 16 Bihar Colonel B. Santosh Babu.

[14] According to Russian government owned TASS news agency, the fighting resulted in death of 45 Chinese soldiers.

[15] As per an American intelligence assessment the skirmish led to the death of 35 Chinese soldiers including a commanding officer.

The tally of awards till date are as under:[21]- Pre-Independence (i)   Distinguished Service Order (DSO ) - 02 (ii)   Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) -  03 (iii)  Military Cross (MC) -03 (iv)  Order of British India (OBI) - 04 (v)   Military Medal (MM) -   02 Post Independence (i)    Ashoka Chakra (AC) - 04 (ii)   Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) - 08 (iii)   Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) - 03 (iv)   Kirti Chakra (KC) - 14 (v)  Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM ) - 15 (vi)  Vir Chakra (VrC ) - 19 (vii)  Shaurya Chakra (SC) - 49 (viii) Yudh Seva Medal (YSM) - 10 (ix)  Sena Medal (SM)- 205 (x)   Jivan Rakshak Padak - 07 (xi)  Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) - 45 (xii)  Mention in Despatches  - 56 Name of the awardees of prominent awards from the regiment are as given below: