The Governor General`s Bodyguard unit was a British Indian cavalry regiment that was formed under the British East India Company. It was considered as the Indian counterpart of the Household Cavalry of the British Army. The military regiment was raised as the Governor`s Troop of Mughals in the year 1773. The unit was formed for Warren Hastings, the first Governor General of British India. The Governor General`s Bodyguard regiment was also known as the Viceroy`s Bodyguard.
Military Operations of Governor General`s Bodyguard
The Governor General`s Bodyguard served in a number of British campaigns and combats. It participated in the Egyptian campaign in the year 1801 and supported in the removal of the French armed force from Egypt. Later the troops took part in the operation to capture Java in the Dutch East Indies (currently known as Indonesia) from the Dutch in 1811. It also fought in the First Burmese War in 1824 and was honoured with the battle honour Ava. In 1843, the Governor General`s Bodyguard unit provided military service during the Gwalior War and also fought Battle of Mahrajapore against the Mahrattas.
The troops of the regiment extensively fought during the First Anglo Sikh War in the year 1845. The unit was awarded several battle honours for its valiant service during the campaign. The former British cavalry regiment was involved in the clash at Mudki (also spelled as Moodkee). The Governor General`s Bodyguard later served during the battles of Ferozeshah War, the war at Aliwal and the final combat of the Sobraon war.
After the British Crown took charge of the Honorable British East India Company and the Presidency Armies in British India, the authority of the administration of the country was transferred to the British Empire in India. The Earl Canning was appointed as the first Viceroy of British India in the year 1858 and the regiment was officially designated as the Viceroy`s Bodyguard. The military battalion later took part in the Third Burmese War in 1885.
The army unit was stationed in the Middle East during the First World War and also served in the Mesopotamia Campaign. The Governor General`s Bodyguard was modified and mechanized in the year 1944 and also maintained a traditional mounted squadron. Consequently, the battalion was re-designated as an airborne regiment and became a part of the 44th Indian Airborne Division. It was then renamed as the 44th Indian Airborne Division Reconnaissance Squadron (Governor General`s Bodyguard).
Development of Governor General`s Bodyguard
After the withdrawal of the British administration from India and the Partition of India in the year 1947, the former British India was geographically divided into the 2 new countries of the Union of India and the Dominion of Pakistan. The regiment was also shared amongst the armies of the 2 newly formed states. The Muslim personnel of the unit became a part of the Army of Pakistan and formed the Governor General`s Bodyguard, Pakistan. The remainder of the troops was incorporated as apart of the modern Indian Army and formed the President`s Bodyguard unit in the year 1950.
Battle Honours of Governor General`s Bodyguard
The Governor General`s Bodyguard cavalry regiment was awarded several times with battle honours for their loyal and valiant services. These are mentioned below-
* Java
* Mahrajapore
* Ava
* Ferozeshah
* Moodkee
* Sobraon
* Aliwal
