Did you know that no horses in Indian Army are allowed to wear a full mane? Well, except for the ones in the PBG (President's Body Guard) unit. The reason is obvious. The PBG is the oldest surviving mounted unit and the senior most regiment of the Indian Army.
History:
It was first formed almost 250 years ago, by the then Governor Warren Hastings in the September of 1773. Initially known as the 'Governor's Troops of Moghals', the unit changed its name as many as 7 times, before acquiring its current status as the 'President's Body Guard' unit in 1950.
Present Day Scenario:
credit: Wikipedia
Today, PBG has an establishment of 4 officers, 14 JCOs & 161 Bodyguards along with the administrative support personnel. They are all trained paratroopers and tank men. Their duties involve both operational as well as ceremonial aspects such as swearing in the President & Government, Republic Day parade, Beating Retreat, visits by heads of states, Guard Changing Ceremony etc.
Horses of the PBG:
The horses, or as they call them, the 'Mounts' of President's Body Guard unit have a height of minimum 157.5 cm (5 feet 2 inches), measured at shoulder. They are allowed to wear full manes. All the horses of the regiment are Bay in colour except the horse of the regimental trumpeter, which is Grey Charger.
Privileges of PBG:
credit: Wikipedia
The PBG unit is the only military unit in the Indian Army, allowed to carry the President’s Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner. The regiment's uniforms are almost unchanged since 1900. The PBG is the only regiment of the Indian Army that wears bright red coats and white breeches, the standard uniform of the British Army before they adopted the khakis. But that's the winter uniform of PBG. In summer, the ceremonial uniform is all white.
credit:Wikipedia
On the operational front, the unit wears the standard Indian Army olive green uniform. But they also wear maroon berets.
credit:Wikipedia
Now that you know these interesting facts about our Army's senior-most unit, why don't you share them with your friends and family?
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