The Indian Army during British rule in India comprised of various regiments or military units. One such unit was Cavalry, which was divided into "Regular" and "Auxiliary". The Auxiliary Division comprised of Light Horses. Some of these Light Horses are described below.
Calcutta Light Horse
Calcutta Light Horse, a part of the Cavalry Reserve in the British Indian Army was created in 1872. The unit is known for attack against the German merchant ship, Ehrenfels. It is known that Ehrenfels was transmitting information on allied ship movements to U-boats from Mormugao harbour in Portugal`s neutral territory of Goa. The Light Horse raided Goa. When India attained Independence in 1947, the unit was demobilized.
Bihar Light Horse
Bihar Light Horse, a part of the Cavalry Reserve in the British Indian Army was created in 1862. During the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, the bungalow of Dr. A. Simpson was chosen for a defence post. An application for the raising of a Mounted Volunteer Corps was submitted to the Commissioner of the Behar division. In 1862, the Soubah Behar Mounted Rifles Volunteer Corps was created. In 1884, the unit was renamed as the Bihar Light Horse Volunteer Corps and was designated the Bihar Light Horse Auxiliary Force in 1920. When India attained Independence in 1947, the unit was demobilized.
Assam Valley Light Horse
Assam Valley Light Horse, a part of the Indian Volunteer Force, then the Indian Defence Force and ultimately the Auxiliary Force (India) was created in 1891. In order to serve in the Boer War, a few volunteers from the regiment joined Lumsden`s Horse in 1899. Also, in 1911, a few volunteers took part in the Abor Campaign. The Light Horse was not organized as a unit during World War I or World War II. Rather individuals provided service mainly with the British Indian Army. When India attained Independence in 1947, the unit was demobilized.
Bombay Light Horse
Bombay Light Horse, a part of Indian Volunteer Force, then (post 1917) the Indian Defence Force and ultimately (post 1920) the Auxiliary Force (India) was created in 1885. During World War I or World War II, the Light Horse was not organized as a unit. Rather Individuals provided service mainly with the British Indian Army. When India attained Independence in 1947, the unit was demobilized.
Punjab Light Horse
Punjab Light Horse, a part of the Cavalry Reserve in the British Indian Army was created in 1867. The unit was headquartered at Lahore in British Punjab. When India attained Independence in 1947, the unit was demobilized.
Other Light Horses of the Presidency Armies
Two other Light Horses of the Presidency Armies were Surma Valley Light Horse and Gorakhpur Light Horse.
