The 5th Madras Native Cavalry was a military cavalry regiment of the British East India Company. It was a part of the Madras Native Cavalry under the Madras Army, before the commencement of the Great Revolt of 1857. The military force of Madras Presidency was one of the 3 Presidency Armies in British India and was established with the purpose of protecting the commercial interests of the British East India Company. Although the Presidency Armies operated under the British East India Company until Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, after the year 1903, the 3 separate presidency armies were merged to form the United British Indian Army. The 5th Madras Native Cavalry was also known as the 5th Madras Light Cavalry regiment.

History of 5th Madras Native Cavalry
The military battalion was formed as the 4th Madras Native Cavalry by the Honourable English East India Company in 1784. But due to a revolt the unit was dissolved in the same year. The 1st troop of cavalry regiment in the Presidency of Madras was raised in 1748 and regular administration occurred after the year 1784. The seniority of the cavalry regiments altered according to the experience and age of the Commanding Officer until the year 1788. Accordingly, the regimental number was also modified. By the year 1804, almost 8 regiments of the Madras Light Cavalry were established under authority of the British East India Company. The army unit did not take part in the Great Revolt of 1857 and maintained loyalty with the British authorities.

Later in 1787, the 5th Madras Native Cavalry was re-established as the 4th Madras Native Cavalry. As a result of change in seniority in the regiments of the Madras Native Cavalry in 1788, it was renamed as the 5th Madras Native Cavalry. The battalion was again disbanded in 1796 and was reformed in the year 1799 as the 5th Madras Native Cavalry. The regiment took part in a number of battles and military campaigns under the British East India Company. It provided significant military services and was honoured for its loyalty.

Designations of 5th Madras Native Cavalry
The 5th Madras Native Cavalry regiment held several titles during its service in the British Indian Army. The various designations are mentioned below -
* 4th Madras Native Cavalry in 1784
* Disbanded in 1784
* 4th Madras Native Cavalry in 1787
* 5th Madras Native Cavalry in 1788
* Disbanded in 1796
* 5th Madras Native Cavalry in 1799
* 5th Madras Light Cavalry in 1819