The 61st Cavalry Regiment of the Indian Army, a horse-mounted unit of the Indian Army, is the world’s largest operational mounted cavalry unit and one of only three mounted cavalry regiments remaining in existence. On Republic Day each year the 61st Cavalry and the President’s Bodyguard parade in full dress uniform in New Delhi, in what is probably the largest assemblage of traditional cavalry still to be seen in the world. The regiment has a strong polo playing tradition, producing some of India’s best polo players; members have won the Arjuna Award four times for polo.
The 61st Cavalry was formed immediately after India’s independence in 1947 following the amalgamation of the princely states with India. All regular and irregular erstwhile state forces’ cavalry units were disbanded to raise a new Horse Cavalry Regiment.
In 1954, the Gwalior Lancers, Jodhpur/Kachhawa Horse and Mysore Lancers, which were the cavalry regiments, were merged to form the 61st Cavalry.
Over the years, the regiment has performed ceremonial, equestrian as well as operational roles.
The regiment also participated in the battle of Haifa in Israel. Haifa Day is celebrated every year on 23 September to pay tribute to the Indian cavalry regiments of Mysore, Hyderabad and Jodhpur, which helped liberate Haifa in 1918.
The decorated regiment has also earned a Padma Shri, 11 Arjuna Awards, 9 Asian Games medals, a gold medal in Polo World Cup against Pakistan, silver in Jakarta Asian Games, among other accolades in equestrian sports.
“The regiment is a symbol of India’s heritage,” Colonel Atul Gupta (retired), who has served in the regiment, told ThePrint.
“61st Cavalry plays an important ceremonial and sports role. It has been leading the contingents during the Republic Day parade and plays a significant role in the Independence Day function and the Beating Retreat ceremony. It has been at the forefront at the equestrian and polo field,” he said.
“But, on several occasions, the regiment has been deployed for critical operational roles,” he said.
Credit : The Print
Picture Credit : Google
