President's Bodyguard (India)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The President's Bodyguard is the Household Cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. It is a mounted unit, with horses for ceremonies at the presidential palace and BTR-60 vehicles for use in combat.

It was formed 30 September 1773 as the Governor's Troop of Moghuls. It was renamed the Viceroy's Bodyguard in 1858 when India came officially under the British Empire. It changed its name again to the Governor General's Bodyguard when India became a Commonwealth Dominion in 1947. It took on its modern name when India became a full republic in 1950.

In 2003, it had 4 officers, 14 NCOs, and 161 enlisted men, for a total strength of 179 men. Throughout its history, the Bodyguard has varied in size from 50 men when first raised, to 1 929 men in 1845. However, it was usually around squadron size, or about 130 men.

[edit] External links