The Deccan Horse or 9 Horse is one of the oldest and most decorated armoured regiments of the Indian Army. The Royal Deccan Horse (9th Horse), which was a regular cavalry regiment of the

British Indian Army The British Indian Army, commonly referred to as the Indian Army, was the main military of the British Raj before its dissolution in 1947. It was responsible for the defence of the British Indian Empire, including the princely states, which co ...

was formed from the amalgamation of two regiments after World War I. They saw service from the Mutiny of 1857 up to and including World War II.

Formation

The 9th Royal Deccan Horse can trace its formation to 1790 when it was called Asif Sah's Irregular Cavalry. Two regiments were raised for service under the

Nizam of Hyderabad The Nizams were the rulers of Hyderabad from the 18th through the 20th century. Nizam of Hyderabad (Niẓām ul-Mulk, also known as Asaf Jah) was the title of the monarch of the Hyderabad State ( divided between the state of Telangana, Mar ...

in Berar, who was allied with the British East India Company. During the following years, the titles of these two Regiments went through many changes. They were known by the following titles over the years: *1816: Nawab Jalal-ud-Daula's, Captains Davies' and Clerk's Risalas; 1826: 1st Regiment, Nizam's Cavalry; 1854: 1st Cavalry, Hyderabad Contingent; 1890: 1st Lancers, Hyderabad Contingent; 1903: 20th Deccan Horse; 1921: 20th Royal Deccan Horse *1816: Nawab Murtaza Yar Jang's, Captains Hallis' and Smith's Risalas; 1826: 2nd Regiment, Nizam's Cavalry; 1854: 2nd Cavalry, Hyderabad Contingent; 1890: 2nd Lancers, Hyderabad Contingent; 1903: 29th Lancers (Deccan Horse). In 1903, during Kitchener's reform of the Indian Army, the 'Hyderabad Contingent' was incorporated into the regular British Indian Cavalry as the two regiments, the 20th Deccan Horse and 29th Lancers (Deccan Horse). In 1921, 20th Deccan Horse was given the title "Royal" for its distinguished service during World War I. In 1921, the two regiments were merged under the name "The 9th Royal Deccan Horse". In 1927, the designation was changed to "The Royal Deccan Horse (9th Horse)". The regimental class composition at the time of the Hyderabad Contingent was a squadron each of

Sikhs Sikhs ( or ; pa, ਸਿੱਖ, ' ) are people who adhere to Sikhism (Sikhi), a monotheistic religion that originated in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, based on the revelation of Guru Nanak. The term ...

, Deccani Mussalmans and

Jats The Jat people ((), ()) are a traditionally agricultural community in Northern India and Pakistan. Originally pastoralists in the lower Indus river-valley of Sindh, Jats migrated north into the Punjab region in late medieval times, and subse ...

. In 1927, the composition was of Punjabi Muslims, Sikhs and Jats. On India becoming a Republic in 1950, the regiment's name was finally changed to "The Deccan Horse (9th Horse)".

History

The Deccan Horse which remained a local corps in the Deccan, was frequently called for service during the 18th and 19th centuries. This included operations in the frontier to check the incursions of the Pindaris (1811), in Aurangabad against the Naiks in Central Berar (1817), the Third Anglo-Maratha War of 1817–18, sieges of Nowah and Umerkher in January 1819, in operations in the Raichur Doab (1819), against the Bhils in

Kingaon Kingaon is a village in Yawal taluka of Jalgaon district, Maharashtra, India. It is located between the foot hill of Satpura mountain and the bank of Tapti River. Kingaon is 25 km from the city of Jalgaon. Majority of the population consis ...

, attack on the fort at Dandoti (1828), against Bhils in Lonar (1829), attack on the fort of Kaptak (1830), seizure of the fort in Nandgaon (1832), capture of the fort at Nanand (1833), against the Bhils at Jafferabad and Dhar, north of Jalna, against the Arabs near

Afzalpur Afzalpur is a panchayat town in Kalaburagi district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is also the headquarters of the Afzalpur taluk. Geography Afzalpur is located at . It has an average elevation of 408 metres (1338 feet). The to ...

(1841), against the

Rohilla Rohillas are a community of Pashtun ancestry, historically found in Rohilkhand, a region in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It forms the largest Pashtun diaspora community in India, and has given its name to the Rohilkhand region. The Ro ...

s at

Warur Warur/Varur is a village in the southern state of Karnataka, India.It is located in the Hubli taluk of Dharwad district in Karnataka. Demographics As of the 2011 Census of India there were 644 households in Warur and a total population of 3,265 ...

and Bairugarh (1842), against the Rohillas near Nander and at the capture of the fort of Saorgaon (1842), against Bhils (1845-46), attack on the fort at Kandat (1847), in the quelling of a Rohilla rebellion and in the capture of the fort of Rai Mhow (1848), siege of Dharur (1851) and the siege of Sailur (1854). WELD 1862 in India pg214 (049 Irregular Cavalry of the Hyderabad Contingent, Mounted)

WELD 1862 in India pg214 (049 Irregular Cavalry of the Hyderabad Contingent, Mounted)

Following the formation of the Hyderabad Contingent, the unit saw action in many locations around and after the Indian Rebellion of 1857 ( Dhar, Jhansi, Piplia,

Betwa River The Betwa (Hindi: बेतवा, Sanskrit: वेत्रवती) is a river in Central and Northern India, and a tributary of the Yamuna. It rises in the Vindhya Range (Raisen) just north of Narmadapuram in Madhya Pradesh and flows north ...

, Rawal,

Banda Banda may refer to: People *Banda (surname) *Banda Prakash (born 1954), Indian politician *Banda Kanakalingeshwara Rao (1907–1968), Indian actor *Banda Karthika Reddy (born 1977), Indian politician *Banda Singh Bahadur (1670–1716), Sikh warr ...

, Mandesur, Kunch, Ratgarh, Kalpi, Madanpur, Bilawa,

Chanderi Chanderi, is a town of historical importance in Ashoknagar District of the state Madhya Pradesh in India. It is situated at a distance of 127 km from Shivpuri, 37 km from Lalitpur, 55 km from Ashok Nagar and about 46 km f ...

, Gwalior and Garakota) winning a Victoria Cross (VC) in 1859 and was also awarded the battle honour, 'Central India' for its efforts in suppression of the mutiny in 1857–58. Standard of the 1st Lancers Hyderabad Contingent

Standard of the 1st Lancers Hyderabad Contingent

Officers and troops from the regiment took part in the Second Afghan War, Tirah campaign, Kurram Valley Field Force (1879-1880), the Burma War (1886–1888), in Central Africa (1891-1892), in the North-West Frontier expedition (1897-1898), in China during the

Boxer Rebellion The Boxer Rebellion, also known as the Boxer Uprising, the Boxer Insurrection, or the Yihetuan Movement, was an anti-foreign, anti-colonial, and anti-Christian uprising in China between 1899 and 1901, towards the end of the Qing dynasty, by ...

(1900) and in the

South African War The Second Boer War ( af, Tweede Vryheidsoorlog, , 11 October 189931 May 1902), also known as the Boer War, the Anglo–Boer War, or the South African War, was a conflict fought between the British Empire and the two Boer Republics (the Sout ...

(1900-1901).

World War I

The 20th Deccan Horse was sent to France for service on the

Western Front Western Front or West Front may refer to: Military frontiers *Western Front (World War I), a military frontier to the west of Germany *Western Front (World War II), a military frontier to the west of Germany *Western Front (Russian Empire), a majo ...

. The regiment was stationed in Bolarum before the war. It sailed from Bombay on board the SS Ellora and HMT Egra on 15 September 1914 to Marseille. It was part of the

9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade The Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade was a cavalry brigade of the British Indian Army formed in 1907 as a result of the Kitchener Reforms. It was mobilized as 9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade at the outbreak of the First World War and departed fo ...

of the

2nd Indian Cavalry Division The 2nd Indian Cavalry Division was a division of the British Indian Army formed at the outbreak of World War I. It served on the Western Front, being renamed as 5th Cavalry Division on 26 November 1916. In March 1918, the 5th Cavalry Divisio ...

. The regiment remained in the vicinity or Marseille from 12 to 23 October 1914, following which it moved to Orléans. It moved to

Vieille-Chapelle Vieille-Chapelle ( vls, Oedekapelle) is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France. Geography Vieille-Chapelle is situated some northeast of Béthune and west of Lille, at the junction of the D182 and ...

in November and saw fighting around

Festubert Festubert () is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France. The village was on the Western Front during the First World War and was largely destroyed in the May 1915 Battle of Festubert. Geography A farming ...

in November and December 1914. It took part in the attack on Givenchy and took heavy casualties. The regiment remained behind the lines during most of 1915. On 14 July 1916 during the Battle of Bazentin Ridge, part of the

Battle of the Somme The Battle of the Somme ( French: Bataille de la Somme), also known as the Somme offensive, was a battle of the First World War fought by the armies of the British Empire and French Third Republic against the German Empire. It took place bet ...

, the 20th Deccan with the 7th Dragoon Guards (the

) were called forward to support the first attack on High Wood. Catching some German infantry in the open, they charged with lance and sword, killing 16 and capturing 32 Germans for the cost of 6 killed 45 wounded, with 12 horses killed and 52 wounded, mainly after the regiment had dismounted to hold the captured ground. They were withdrawn on the following morning, but the charge was given a favourable mention in Sir Douglas Haig's dispatches and received much coverage from the British press, anxious for some news of success. Deccan Horse France 1916

The regiment landed in Egypt on 10 April 1918 and moved to Tell El Kebir, Kantara and finally to

Belah Belah is a suburb of Carlisle in the City of Carlisle district, in the county of Cumbria, England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The I ...

on 27 April 1918 to join the 14th Cavalry Brigade of the 5th Cavalry Division. The regiment was involved in frequent encounters with the Turkish forces in July and August 1918. The regiment moved to Deiran (Palestine) and fought in the Battle of Megiddo. The 29th Lancers were also sent to France they formed part of the 8th (Lucknow) Cavalry Brigade of the

1st Indian Cavalry Division The 1st Indian Cavalry Division was a division of the British Indian Army which was formed at the outbreak of the First World War. It served on the Western Front, and was renamed the 4th Cavalry Division on 26 November 1916. In March 1918, the ...

. Both regiments would at times serve as Infantry in the trenches, before being withdrawn for service in

Palestine __NOTOC__ Palestine may refer to: * State of Palestine, a state in Western Asia * Palestine (region), a geographic region in Western Asia * Palestinian territories, territories occupied by Israel since 1967, namely the West Bank (including East ...

World War II

During the Second World War, the regiment converted to tanks and became part of the

255th Indian Tank Brigade The 255th Indian Tank Brigade was an armoured brigade of the Indian Army during World War II. It was part of the Fourteenth Army and saw action in the Burma Campaign. The 255th Tank Brigade's tactical sign was a black bull, with yellow horns and ...

. The regiment along with

16th Light Cavalry The 16th Light Cavalry is a regiment of the Armoured Corps, a primary combat arm of the Indian Army. Prior to India gaining independence from the British in 1947, it was a regular cavalry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1776 ...

5th King Edward's Own Probyn's Horse The 5th Horse is an armoured regiment of the Pakistan Army. It was previously known as the 5th King Edward's Own Probyn's Horse, which was a regular cavalry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1921 by the amalgamation of the 11th ...

and 116th Royal Armoured Corps (Gordon Highlanders) reached Kanglatongbi in Assam in October 1944, where training and exercises took place. The regiment then proceeded east and took part in the re-conquest of Burma. British commander and Indian crew encounter elephant near Meiktila

British commander and Indian crew encounter elephant near Meiktila

Post Independence

; Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948: A squadron of the regiment fought in the

Jammu and Kashmir Jammu and Kashmir may refer to: * Kashmir, the northernmost geographical region of the Indian subcontinent * Jammu and Kashmir (union territory), a region administered by India as a union territory * Jammu and Kashmir (state), a region administered ...

operations (1948-49) in Chhamb sector. Tanks of the regiment were rafted across the Chenab River at Akhnoor. ;

Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 or the Second Kashmir War was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. The conflict began following Pakistan's Operation Gibraltar, which was d ...

: During the war, the regiment with its

Sherman Sherman most commonly refers to: *Sherman (name), a surname and given name (and list of persons with the name) ** William Tecumseh Sherman (1820–1891), American Civil War General *M4 Sherman, a tank Sherman may also refer to: Places United St ...

tanks saw fierce action in the Khemkaran Sector. It was one of the main units responsible for creating the 'Patton Graveyard' of Pakistani tanks. In the Battle of Asal Uttar, Pakistan lost 97 tanks including 75 of the latest Pattons. The Indians lost 14 tanks including 10 of the Deccan horse. The regiment won 24 decorations and the battle honours "Asal Uttar" and "Punjab 1965". The Commandant of the Regiment, Lt Col (later Gen)

A S Vaidya General Arunkumar Shridhar Vaidya (27 July 1926 – 10 August 1986) was a General Officer in the Indian Army. He served as the 13th Chief of the Army Staff from 1983 to 1986. Following his retirement, he was assassinated by Harjinder Singh J ...

was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for leading the regiment with gallantry. ; Indo-Pakistani War of 1971: In this conflict, The Deccan Horse with its T-54 tanks was once again at the forefront of the fight in the

Battle of Chamb The Battle of Chamb was a battle in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The Pakistan Army attacked Chamb on the same principle as the Battle of Chamb (1965). The Pakistan Army's primary objective was to capture the town of Chamb and surrounding ...

. The unit was part of the 10 Infantry Division. The Regimental headquarters and two squadron were with the 191 Infantry Brigade. The third squadron less a troop were with the 52 Infantry Brigade. It won six Gallantry awards. This gallant battle by the Regiment blunted and stalled the largest offensive ever mounted by Pakistan since Independence.

Awards and honours

The unit was one of the most decorated regiments of the

and has continued to show its valour under the Indian Army. Prominent winners of gallantry awards include: ;Early years * Battle honour : Central India * Victoria Cross : Captain

Herbert Clogstoun Major Herbert Mackworth Clogstoun VC (13 June 1820 – 6 May 1862) was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Detai ...

of the 2nd Cavalry, Hyderabad Contingent during the

Indian Mutiny The Indian Rebellion of 1857 was a major uprising in India in 1857–58 against the rule of the British East India Company, which functioned as a sovereign power on behalf of the British Crown. The rebellion began on 10 May 1857 in the fo ...

when the following deed took place on 15 January 1859 for which he was awarded the VC: ''For conspicuous bravery in charging the, Rebels into Chichumbah with only eight men of his Regiment (the 2nd Cavalry Hyderabad Contingent), compelling them to re-enter the Town, and finally to abandon their plunder. He was severely wounded himself, and lost seven out of the eight men who accompanied him.'' *

Companions of the Order of the Bath The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate medieval ceremony for appointing a knight, which involved bathing (as a symbol of purification) as o ...

: Major H. D. Abbott, Lieutenant H.C. Dowker, 1st Cavalry, Hyderabad Contingent; Major A. W. Macintire, 2nd Cavalry, Hyderabad Contingent, Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel E. F. H. McSwiney, 1st Lancers, Hyderabad Contingent. * Companion of the Distinguished Service Order : Lieutenant Macquoid. * Order of British India : Risaldar Major Ahmad Bakhsh Khan, Hyderabad Contingent, Risaldar Major Karim Dad Khan, 20th Deccan Horse, Risaldar Major Hussain Khan, 29th Lancers (Deccan Horse). * Indian Order of Merit : Jemadar Sahib Singh, Dufiadar Bhairi Lai Singh, Ressaidar Ala-ud-din, Jemadar Md. Din Khan, Jemadar Mir Karim Ali, Duffadar Jiwan Singh, Duffadar Ganesh Singh, Duffadar Sadhu Singh, Jemadar Alif Khan, Duffadar Ganga Singh, Trooper Mukarrim Khan, Ressaidar Mirza Anwar Ali Beg, Risaldar-Major Mirza Zulfikar Ali Beg, Ressaidar Abdul Rahman Khan, Duffadar Kasim Hussain Beg, Duffadar Kallandar Beg, Trooper Kudrat All Khan, 1st Cavalry, Hyderabad Contingent; Risaldar-Major Mir Dilawar Hussein, Ressaidar Bakshi Ali, and Jemadar Mir Akbar Ali, Jemadar Beg Muhammad Khan, Duffadar Bargir Muhammad Sharif, Trooper Mahomed Noor Khan, Ressaidar Meer Mahomed Shah, Trooper Meer Hossain Ali, Trooper Sheik Chand, Trooper Emom Ali Khan, Trooper Sheik Hyder, 2nd Cavalry, Hyderabad Contingent; Sowar Wazir Khan, Sowar Kale Khan, 2nd Lancers, Hyderabad Contingent; Dafadar Ghafur Khan, Dafadar Hussain Ali Khan, Dafadar Mir Murid Ali, Dafadar Kifayat Khan, Dafadar Anwar Khan, Kot Dafadar Shah Nur Khan, Dafadar Mustafa Khan, Dafadar Salamat Ali Khan, Dafadar Abdul Rahman Khan, 20th Deccan Horse. ; Imperial Visit to India, 1911 The following were honoured during the Imperial Visit of King George V to India * Order of British India, 2nd class : Risaldar Major Shaikh Muhammad Afzal Husain, 29th Lancers (Deccan Horse), Risaldar Major Hanuman Singh, 20th Deccan Horse. ; World War I DH 2

* Battle honours : Givenchy, 1914, Somme, 1916, Bazentin, Delville Wood, Flers–Courcelette, Cambrai, 1917, France and Flanders 1914–18, Megiddo,

Sharon Sharon ( he, שָׁרוֹן ''Šārôn'' "plain") is a given name as well as an Israeli surname. In English-speaking areas, Sharon is now predominantly a feminine given name. However, historically it was also used as a masculine given name. In I ...

Damascus )), is an adjective which means "spacious". , motto = , image_flag = Flag of Damascus.svg , image_seal = Emblem of Damascus.svg , seal_type = Seal , map_caption = , ...

, and Palestine, 1918. * Victoria Cross: Risaldar Badlu Singh – He was part of the

14th Murray's Jat Lancers The 14th Murray's Jat Lancers, also sometimes known as the Murray's Jat Horse, was a cavalry regiment of the British Indian Army. The regiment was first raised at Aligarh as an irregular cavalry unit in 1857 as the Jat Horse Yeomanry, for the Eas ...

attached to the 29th Lancers (Deccan Horse). He was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously for his gallant act of bravery on 23 September 1918 at Kh. Es Samariyeh, Jordan River,

. His citation reads as follows - ''On 23rd September 1918 on the west bank of the River Jordan, Palestine, when his squadron was charging a strong enemy position, Risaldar Badlu Singh realised that heavy casualties were being inflicted from a small hill occupied by machine-guns and 200 infantry. Without any hesitation he collected six other ranks and with entire disregard of danger he charged and captured the position. He was mortally wounded on the very top of the hill when capturing one of the machine-guns single handed, but all the guns and infantry had surrendered to him before he died.'' 23 September is commemorated as "Jordan Valley Day" every year in the Regiment. Other gallantry awards include: * Military Cross: Jemadar Jai Lal Singh, 29th Lancers (Deccan Horse) (Egypt) * Order of British India: Risaldar Prem Singh, Risaldar Major Nigahia Ram, Risaldar Konsal Singh (20th Deccan Horse) (France); Risaldar Major Ghulam Dastaghir Khan, Risaldar Major Chanda Singh, Risaldar Major Ahmad Khan, Risaldar Hayat Ali Beg, Ressaidar Daya Singh, Ressaidar Jaggar Singh (29th Lancers (Deccan Horse)) (France / Egypt / India). * Indian Order of Merit: Dafadar Sardar Singh, Dafadar Shankar Rao, Jemadar Mirza Ahmed Beg (20th Deccan Horse), Risaldar Hayat Ali Beg, Jemadar Abdul Rahim Khan, Sowar Indar Singh, Sowar Chandan Singh, Dafadar Puran Singh, Dafadar Jot Ram, Sowar Balwant Singh (29th Lancers (Deccan Horse)) (France / Egypt). * Indian Distinguished Service Medals: 27 medals (20th Deccan Horse), 22 medals (29th Lancers (Deccan Horse)) (France / Egypt). * Indian Meritorious Service Medals: 40 medals (20th Deccan Horse), 33 medals (29th Lancers (Deccan Horse)) (France / Egypt). *

Croix De Guerre The ''Croix de Guerre'' (, ''Cross of War'') is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was first awa ...

(French): 2 medals (20th Deccan Horse), 1 medal (29th Lancers (Deccan Horse)) (France). *Leim Alilimdetaire (French): 1 medal (20th Deccan Horse) (France). *

Croix de guerre (Belgium) The ''Croix de guerre'' ( French) or ''Oorlogskruis'' (Dutch), both literally translating as "Cross of War", is a military decoration of the Kingdom of Belgium established by royal decree on 25 October 1915. It was primarily awarded for bravery o ...

: 1 medal (20th Deccan Horse), 3 medals (29th Lancers (Deccan Horse)) (France) ; World War II * Battle honours : Meiktila and Rangoon Road, Capture of Meiktila, Defence of Meiktila, Pyabwe and Burma 1942–45. * Distinguished Service Order : Acting Lieutenant Colonel George Hannyngton Carr *

Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

: Risaldar Major Mir Yusaf Ali * Military Cross: Captain David Herbert Mudie, Captain Robert Bruce Kennard, Temporary Captain Sheodan Singh, Second Lieutenant Richard Francis Sherwill, Jemadar Pritam Singh *The regiment won 36 gallantry awards. ;

* Battle honours : Asal Uttar, Punjab 1965 * Maha Vir Chakra : Lt Col AS Vaidya * Vir Chakra : A Lance/Dafadar Tirlok Singh, Risaldar Achhar Singh. * Sena Medal : Risaldar Kisal Singh, Dafadar Babu Singh, Sowar Sant Singh *The regiment won 24 gallantry awards. ; Indo-Pakistani War of 1971: * Vir Chakra : Captain Surendra Kaushik, Lance Dafadar Sushil Kumar, Risaldar Brahma Nand, Sowar Jai Singh. *The regiment won 6 gallantry awards. ; President's Guidon: In recognition of its distinguished service, the Deccan Horse was selected for presentation of a "Guidon" by the President of India Giani Zail Singh at Nabha on 9 January 1984.

Regimental insignia

The insignia of the 9th Royal Deccan Horse consisted of crossed lances with letters 'R.D.H.' within the garter surmounted by the crown. The present Regimental insignia consists of crossed lances with

pennon A pennon, also known as a pennant or pendant, is a long narrow flag which is larger at the hoist than at the fly. It can have several shapes, such as triangular, tapering (square tail) or triangular swallowtail (forked tail), etc. In maritime ...

s of Red over White mounted with the

State Emblem of India The State Emblem of India is the national emblem of the Republic of India and is used by the union government, many state governments, and other government agencies. The emblem is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka, an ancient sculptur ...

and a scroll at the base with the words ''The Deccan Horse''. The numeral "9" is inscribed on the crossing of the lances along with the motto of the Regiment in Devanagari script. The motto of the Regiment is संघे शक्ति (Sanghe Shakti) which means "In Association, there is Strength".

References

{{Indian Army Armoured Corps British Indian Army cavalry regiments Honourable East India Company regiments Indian World War I regiments Indian World War II regiments Military units and formations established in 1790 Armoured and cavalry regiments of the Indian Army from 1947 R