Presidents Bodyguard 5 Interesting facts about Indian Armys senior-most Regiment

President's Bodyguard

The President's Bodyguard (PBG) is an elite household cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. It is senior-most in the order of precedence of all the regiments of the Indian Army. The primary role of the President's Bodyguard is to escort and protect the President of India which is why the regiment is permanently stationed in the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, India.

East India Company

The first bodyguard to be raised in India was in 1773 when European troops, already recruited into the East India Company's service as infantry, were earmarked for the role. Since the army of the East India Company had no cavalry of any kind at that point of time, two troops of dragoons and one troop of hussars were raised - the latter becoming the personal bodyguard of the Governor-General.

PBG

The regiment earned their first Battle Honour ‘Java' in 1811 during the conquest of the island. At present, PBG has the unique distinction of being the only surviving unit to carry this honour. PBG fought all the main battles of the First Sikh War & earned four Battle honours. It participated in Operation Ablaze in 1965 Indo-Pak war.

PBG

A detachment of the regiment was a part of the Indian Peacekeeping Forces to Sri Lanka during 1988-89 & Indian contingents to UN Peace Keeping Forces to Somalia, Angola and Sierra Leone.

(CO)

The Commanding Officer (CO) of PBG has always been of Brigadier or Colonel rank. He is assisted by Majors, Captains, Risaldars and Daffadars. Soldiers hold the ranks of Sowar or Naik. Recruitment to the Regiment in India now is in equal share, to Jat Sikhs, Hindu Jats and Rajputs, with officers and administrative staff from all over India.