Shivam at 06:46, 16 January 2026

2026-01-16T06:46:27Z

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{{Short description|Active Indian Army horse cavalry unit}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = 61st Cavalry
| image = 61st Cavalry.svg
| caption = 61st Cavalry Insignia
| dates = 1953–present
| country = {{flag|India}}
| allegiance = India
| branch = [[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|24px]] [[Indian Army]]
| type = [[Cavalry]]
| role =
| size = Regiment
| command_structure =
| nickname =
| patron =
| motto = अश्व-शक्ति यशोबल "Ashva Shakti Yashobal" (Horse Power is Supreme Strength)
| colors =
| march =
| mascot =
| equipment = Horse

| battles =
| anniversaries =
| decorations = [[Padma Shri]] 1 [[Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak]] 1 [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]] 6 [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|COAS]] Commendation Card 53 [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|CNS]] Commendation Card 51 [[Vice Chief of the Army Staff (India)|VCOAS]] Commendation Card 7 Army Commander's Commendation Card 152 [[Chief of Integrated Defence Staff|CISC]] Commendation Card 7
| battle_honours = [[Battle of Haifa (1918)|Haifa]]
| notable_commanders =

| identification_symbol = 61 Cav
| identification_symbol_label = Abbreviation

| Past Commanders =
| ceremonial_chief =
| colonel_of_the_regiment = [[General (India)|General]] [[Manoj Pande]] {{Resize|90%|[[PVSM]] [[AVSM]] [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]] [[Aide-de-camp|ADC]]}} <ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.aviation-defence-universe.com/coas-col-regt-61-cavalry-presented-accruements-regt/|title=COAS, Col of the Regt 61 Cavalry Presented With Accruements of the Regt|date=2017-06-14|access-date=2020-11-03}}</ref> 
Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/in.gazette.central.w.2025-12-27.268912/|title=Gazette of India, No 52|date=2025-12-27|access-date=2026-01-16}}</ref>
}}
[[File:Officers of the Jodhpur Lancers (Photo 24-157).jpg|thumb|305x305px|Officers of the Jodhpur Lancers in [[Linghem]], France, 1915|alt=|right]]
[[File:Indian lancers in Haifa 1918.jpg|thumb|305x305px|Indian lancers in Haifa, 1918|alt=|right]]

[[File:Teenmurtidelhi.jpg|thumb|305x305px| Teen Murti Memorial in New Delhi, built 1922|alt=|right]]
[[File:Mysore Lancers Memorial (Closeup), Bangalore.jpg|thumb|305x305px|Mysore Lancers Memorial, Bangalore|alt=|right]]The '''61st Cavalry Regiment''' is a horse-mounted [[cavalry]] regiment of the [[Indian Army]]. It is notable for being one of the largest, and also one of the last, operational non mechanised horse-mounted cavalry units in the world. Formerly deployed into active conflict, the 61st Cavalry is currently employed on ceremonial occasions, though it can be deployed for [[internal security]] or provide [[military aid to the civil power]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dallal|first=Henry|title=Horse warriors: India's 61st Cavalry|date=2008|publisher=Henry Dallal|isbn=9780954408312|series=Pageantry & performance series|location=Great Britain}}</ref>

The regiment is presently based in [[Jaipur]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-05-18|title=Explainer: Why Is the Indian Army’s 61 Cavalry Regiment Being Downsized?|url=https://thewire.in/security/explainer-indian-army-61-cavalry|access-date=2020-11-03}}</ref> The 61st Cavalry regiment and the [[President's Bodyguard]] parade in full [[dress uniform]] for the [[Delhi Republic Day parade]] each year, in what is probably the largest assemblage of traditional cavalry still to be seen in the world.

==Modern role==
The 61st Cavalry regiment is one of the few non-mechanised horse mounted cavalry regiments in the world, alongside such units as the [[Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment]] of the [[British Army]], the Presidential Cavalry Escort Battalion of the [[Kremlin Regiment]] of the [[Federal Protective Service (Russia)|Federal Protective Service]] and the 4th Mountain Cavalry Regiment of the Argentinean Army.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.hu/TRANSCRIPTS/0203/10/sm.23.html ''Cossack Cavalry Acting in Russian Films''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721104513/http://edition.cnn.hu/TRANSCRIPTS/0203/10/sm.23.html |date=21 July 2011 }}. CNN (transcript), Aired 10 March 2002 - 11:58ET</ref> While a number of armies still maintain mounted units for parade and other ceremonial purposes, only the [[People's Liberation Army]] maintains an operational squadron-sized mounted cavalry unit for frontier duties.<ref>''Global Times'' 20 November 2009 and ''Xinhua News Agency'' 22 August 2011</ref>

==History==
[[File:The 61 Cavalry contingent passes through the Rajpath during the 62nd Republic Day Parade-2011, in New Delhi on January 26, 2011.jpg|thumb|305x305px|The 61 Cavalry contingent passes through the Rajpath during the 62nd Republic Day Parade-2011, in New Delhi on 26 January 2011|alt=|right]]

=== Formation ===
At the time of [[Indian independence movement|Indian Independence]] in 1947, the only mounted cavalry remaining in service were the [[Governor General's Bodyguard]] and several units that had formed part of the [[Imperial Service Troops|Imperial Service State Forces]], provided by the [[Princely state|Indian Princely States]].<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url= https://thewire.in/security/explainer-indian-army-61-cavalry|title=Explainer: Why Is the Indian Army’s 61 Cavalry Regiment Being Downsized?|date=2020-05-18|access-date=2020-11-03}}</ref> Upon the integration of the State Forces into the [[Indian Army]] in 1951, the remaining horsed cavalry units were reorganized and reconstituted into the [[Gwalior State|Gwalior Lancers]], the [[Jodhpur State|Jodhpur]]/Kachhawa Horse, the [[Kingdom of Mysore|Mysore]] Lancers, and B Squadron, 2nd [[Patiala State|Patiala]] Lancers.

In May 1953 it was decided to amalgamate these separate horsed cavalry units into a single regiment. On 1 October 1953 the "New Horsed Cavalry Regiment" was established at [[Gwalior]], with Lieutenant Colonel Phulel Singh of the [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir State]] Forces as its first Commandant. The new regiment was re-designated as the "61st Cavalry Regiment" in January 1954.

The following cavalry regiments were amalgamated to form the 61st Cavalry:

* Gwalior Lancers, formed by amalgamation of 1st and 2nd Gwalior Lancers
* Jodhpur/Kachhawa Horse, formed by amalgamation of Dungal Lancers, Mangal Lancers, Jodhpur Lancers, Kachhawa Horse, Mewar Lancers, Rajendra Lancers and Sardar Rissalia
* Mysore Lancers
* B Squadron, 2 Patiala Lancers
* Saurashtra Horsed Cavalry Squadron

=== Deployments ===
During the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]], 61st Cavalry was deployed as part of the 67th Infantry Brigade, commanded by Brigadier Bant Singh, to cover approaches to [[Sri Ganganagar|Ganganagar]], under then-Commandant Lieutenant Colonel Thakur Govind Singh. The area of responsibility was nearly a {{convert|100|km|abbr=on}} of semi-desert terrain. While armed police detachments manned border outposts to mark sovereignty, 61st Cavalry carried out intensive night patrols on horseback. No enemy infiltration or penetration was reported.<ref name="IX1">{{cite web|last=Bajwa|first=Mandeep Singh|date=2020-05-22|title=Military Digest: 61st Cavalry rides into the sunset|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/military-digest-61-cavalry-indian-army-ins-jalashwa-operation-samudra-setu-6421839/|access-date=2020-12-05|newspaper=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Praval|first=KC|title=Indian Army After Independence|date=2009|publisher=Lancer Publishers|isbn=978-1935501107}}</ref>

In 1970, Lieutenant General [[Mohinder Singh Wadalia]], the regiment's long-standing colonel, retired. During this time, when the Indian Army was being pruned, it was suggested that the unit's future depended on having a strong, energetic successor.<ref>{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Depinder|title=Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw Soldiering with Dignity|date=2002|publisher=Natraj Publishers|isbn=978-8185019024}}</ref> In a strategic move it was decided to invite the then-Army Chief, General [[Sam Manekshaw]], to be the next colonel of the 61st Cavalry.<ref>{{cite web|date=1971-02-20|title=Gazette of India, 1971, No. 8|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/1971/O-1354-1971-0008-60722.pdf|access-date=2020-11-03}}</ref> Manekshaw realised that the 61st Cavalry needed a change in role, otherwise the military and civilian bureaucracy would mechanise it. In the prelude to the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], Manekshaw moved the regiment to Delhi to guard the [[Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi|Rashtrapati Bhawan]], ensure the internal defence of Delhi, and conduct dismounted ceremonials. The 61st Cavalry presented the first guard of honour to [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] on his release from a Pakistani prison in January 1972.<ref name="IX1" /><ref name="auto">{{cite web|date=2020-05-24|title=Polo, touch of royalty & chivalry, WW-I – 61st cavalry’s new role snaps link with history|url=https://theprint.in/defence/polo-touch-of-royalty-chivalry-ww-i-61st-cavalrys-new-role-snaps-link-with-history/426335/|access-date=2020-11-03}}</ref>

In 1974, the [[K. V. Krishna Rao|Krishna Rao]] Committee, in its report on the Army's reorganisation, recommended a cutdown in the 61st Cavalry's strength. Consequently, a whole sabre squadron was disbanded along with specialist troops for [[mortar (weapon)|mortars]], [[medium machine guns]], [[light machine guns]], and signals communication. One sabre squadron was permanently stationed at Delhi for performing ceremonial duties.<ref name="IX1" /><ref>{{cite web|date=2020-05-15|title=Rechristening of 61st Cavalry would sever link between past and present|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/rechristening-of-61st-cavalry-would-sever-link-between-past-and-present/592428|access-date=2020-11-03}}</ref>

In 1977, the regiment participated in the Military Tattoo at [[Pune]] and the [[Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo]] in Scotland to commemorate the [[Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II]].<ref name="auto"/>

The regiment has taken part in several combat operations, including [[Operation Pawan]], [[Indian Army operations in Jammu and Kashmir#Operation Rakshak|Operation Rakshak]], [[Kargil War|Operation Vijay]], and [[2001–02 India–Pakistan standoff|Operation Parakram]].<ref name="IX1" />

=== Possible mechanisation and disbandment ===
Based on the recommendations of the 2016 [[D. B. Shekatkar|Shekatkar]] Committee report, the Indian Army reportedly initiated a move in mid-2020 to mechanise the 61st Cavalry and create a new armoured regiment. The move plans to bring together three independent squadrons of other regiments under the headquarters of 61st Cavalry to form the new armoured regiment. The move is being initiated to cut costs and draws from a proposal to change the regiment's role to an active armoured regiment.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web|date=2020-05-16|title=Cavalry isn’t just a ceremonial Army regiment, it played key role in Pakistan standoff too|url=https://theprint.in/defence/61-cavalry-isnt-just-a-ceremonial-army-regiment-it-played-key-role-in-pakistan-standoff-too/422948/61|access-date=2020-11-03}}</ref>

==Battle honours==
The 61st Cavalry has 39 battle honours passed on from its predecessors, including "[[Boxer Rebellion|China, 1900]]", "[[Battle of Cambrai (1917)|Cambrai, 1917]]", "[[North-West Frontier (military history)#1914–1918 (First World War)|Waziristan, 1917]]", "[[Western Front (World War I)|France and Flanders 1914-1918]]", "[[First Suez Offensive|Suez Canal – Egypt, 1917-1918]]", "[[Gaza (Battle honour)|Gaza]]", "[[Battle of Megiddo (1918)|Megiddo]]", "[[Battle of Megiddo (1918)|Sharon]]", "[[Capture of Damascus (1918)|Damascus]] and [[Sinai and Palestine Campaign|Palestine]], 1917-1918", "Afghanistan, 1919", and "[[Battle of Haifa (1918)|Haifa]]-[[Battle of Aleppo (1918)|Aleppo]], 1919".<ref>{{cite book|last=David |first= Altaf Alfroid |title= Know Your Armed Forces|date=1969|publisher= Army Educational Stores}}</ref>

==Cenotaph==
The Teen Murti Memorial is a [[cenotaph]] memorializing soldiers from the [[15th (Imperial Service) Cavalry Brigade]], from the princely states of [[Kingdom of Marwar|Jodhpur]], [[Hyderabad State|Hyderabad]], and [[Kingdom of Mysore|Mysore]], who fought and died under British command while taking part in the [[Battle of Haifa (1918)|Battle of Haifa]] on 23 September 1918, during [[World War I]]. The capture of Haifa and its port allowed the Allies to send supplies closer to the front.<ref>{{cite news|date=2017-07-06|title=Delhi's Teen Murti Memorial's Connection With Israel's Haifa|publisher=News18|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/delhis-teen-murti-memorials-connection-with-israels-haifa-1453995.html|access-date=2020-12-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2020-05-18|title=The Last Gallop|url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/spotlights/the-last-gallop/|access-date=2020-11-03}}</ref>

23 September is remembered annually in India as Haifa Day, commemorating the 15th Cavalry Brigade's actions during the Battle of Haifa.<ref name="auto2"/>

== Regimental insignia ==
The regimental insignia is adapted from the [[Gandaberunda]] of the Mysore Lancers. It consists of the two headed eagle and a scroll below with the words 'Sixty First Cavalry'. The shoulder title consists of "61C" in brass. The motto of the regiment is अश्व-शक्ति यशोबल (Ashva Shakti Yashobal) which translates to ‘"Horse Power is Supreme Strength".

==Recruitment==
The regiment recruits [[Rajput]]s, [[Maratha (caste)|Marathas]], and [[Qaimkhani]]s in equal numbers.<ref>{{cite book|last=Gautam|first=PK|title= Indigenous Historical Knowledge: Kautilya and His Vocabulary, Volume III|date=2016|publisher= IDSA/Pentagon Press |isbn= 978-81-8274-909-2|page=153}}</ref> This ratio was established on Prime Minister [[Jawaharlal Nehru]]'s instructions.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://thewire.in/security/explainer-indian-army-61-cavalry|title= Explainer: Why Is the Indian Army’s 61 Cavalry Regiment Being Downsized?|date=2020-05-18|access-date=2022-09-25}}</ref>

==Sports==
The regiment has a strong [[polo]] tradition, producing some of India's best polo players.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=ehgWjh0tu7cAonYsGBioDw==&ParentID=xN+m2Ebx4sDsMS+7sBUzug==|title=Mounted Cavalry| access-date=2020-11-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2017/mar16-17/h16.htm|title= 61 Cavalry Bags the Army Polo Championship|date=2017-03-16| access-date=2020-11-03}}</ref> Members of the regiment have won 12 [[Arjuna Award|Arjuna awards]]—India's highest award for outstanding sportsmen—five times for polo and seven times for equestrian events.<ref>{{cite news|title=Subedar Sawant gets Arjuna Award for tent pegging|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/subedar-sawant-gets-arjuna-award-for-tent-pegging/article32438930.ece#:~:text=Subedar%20Ajay%20Anant%20Sawant%20from,prior%20background%20in%20equestrian%20sports.|access-date=26 August 2020|newspaper=The Hindu|date=26 August 2020}}</ref><ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.uniindia.com/capt-rajpurohit-bags-gold-61-cavalry-team-silver-in-delhi-horse-show/sports/news/1551451.html|title= Capt Rajpurohit bags gold; 61 Cavalry team silver in Delhi Horse Show|date=2019-04-04|access-date=2020-11-03}}</ref>

==Notable servicemen==
*[[V. P. Singh (Brigadier)|Brigadier Virendra Pal Singh]], a former commandant was awarded the [[Arjuna Award]] in 1975, one of the earliest polo players to be honoured with the distinction.
*[[H. S. Sodhi|Colonel Harinder Singh "Billy" Sodhi]], {{small|[[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]}} - a former commandant and [[Arjuna Award]] recipient.
*[[R. K. S. Kalaan|Colonel Rajinder Kumar Singh "Raj" Kalaan]] - a former commandant and leading polo player.
*[[R. S. Sodhi|Colonel Ravinder Singh "Pickles" Sodhi]], a former commandant and [[Arjuna Award]] recipient.
*[[R. S. Brar|Colonel Rupinder Singh "R. S." Brar ]], a former commandant, [[Arjuna Award]] recipient and Gold Medalist at the [[1982 Asian Games]].
*Captain Manjinder Singh Bhinder, who died off-duty during the 1997 [[Uphaar cinema fire]] while attempting to guide theatregoers to safety.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://salute.co.in/the-horsemen-of-the-army/|title= The horsemen of the army|date=2014-07-11| access-date=2020-11-03}}</ref>
*Colonel [[Ravi Rathore]], an Indian polo player and an Arjuna awardee. He has been the commandant of the 61st Cavalry and is the highest handicapped polo player in the Indian Army.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lost son, refused pension|author=Rajendra Sharma|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99nov09/head6.htm|newspaper=The Tribune|date=9 November 1999|access-date=30 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=An officer and a gentleman |url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/19970615/16650283.html|access-date=7 September 2012|newspaper=The Indian Express (PTI Report)|date=15 June 1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Hindu|title=Veterans, war widows battle for benefits|author=Chander Suta Dogra|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/veterans-war-widows-battle-for-benefits/article6432853.ece|date=22 September 2014|access-date=30 November 2014}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[15th (Imperial Service) Cavalry Brigade]]
*[[Battle of Haifa (1918)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQvzWBJEoE8 ''61st Cavalry - India's Horse Warriors''] History Channel Documentary
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090703113133/http://www.indiapolo.com/Polopedia/Genesis/Indian_Army/61st_Cavalry/61st_cavalry.html ''61st Cavalry''] at IndiaPolo.com

{{Indian Army Armoured Corps}}

[[Category:Armoured and cavalry regiments of the Indian Army from 1947]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1954]]

61st Cavalry India - Revision history

Shivam at 06:46, 16 January 2026