Viceroy’s Bodyguards India, Elite Cavalry Regiment, 1934 Photo
This rare 1934 photo captures the Viceroy’s Bodyguards during the British India era, an elite cavalry regiment that later became the President’s Bodyguards of India after independence. In the image, a commanding officer appears to be inspecting the guardsmen in full ceremonial uniform, a fine display of discipline and royal grandeur.
The Viceroy’s Bodyguard Regiment was originally raised in 1773 by Warren Hastings, the Governor-General of Bengal. Known for their impressive stature, each guardsman stood between 6 and 6.4 feet tall and underwent 16 months of rigorous training at the bodyguard riding school before being deployed for ceremonial duties. Their key responsibilities included escorting the Viceroy and performing mounted duties at the Viceregal Palaces in Delhi and Calcutta.
Although renowned for their ceremonial role, the regiment also participated in active combat, notably in the Third Anglo-Mysore War, the First Sikh War, and even saw limited action in France during World War I. With a strength of around 1,000 men, mostly Indian recruits, the Viceroy’s Bodyguards were regarded as one of the finest and most prestigious cavalry regiments in the world. Click image to enlarge.
Read more President’s Bodyguard : Witnessing & making history for centuries.
Did you know- independence came with the partition of the nation & armed forces were also divided in a 2:1 ratio between India & Pakistan. The Viceroy’s Bodyguards Unit was no exception; a part of them went to Pakistan, with the rest based at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, who became the President’s Bodyguard.
From the collection- Raja Ravi Varma’s Balamani – Old Postcard 1902., Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Bombay or Mumbai – Old Print., View of Elephanta Caves Bombay – 2 Old Postcards 1910., Princess Leila Of Gondal On A Wolseley Car, Old 1911 Print