It was formed in 1773 at Benares as the 'Governer's Troops of Mogals' the President's Body Guard as it was than known, saw active service all over the Indian peninsula as well as in Egypt 1801, Java 1811, and Burma 1824-26 and again in 1886. During the Great War of 1914-18, its personnel served in the Middle East and Mesopotamia. In 1944 after mechanisation the Corpse was trained as paratroopers to form part of the 44 Indian Airborne Division.
The PBG today is a small body of men, comprising three officers, 14 JCOs and 161 troopers backed by administrative support personnel: an establishment which has not changed much in the last century. Equipped with armoured cars, its men are also trained for operational duties, both as task men and airborne troops, in addition to there ceremonial role. Troopers of the Body Guard are recruited from Jats, Sikhs and Rajputs in equal share. The physical standards are exacting with six feet being the minimum height for a trooper. The mounts of the PBG are Bay in colour, except for the Regimenta.
Trumpter, who traditionally is always mounted on a Grey Charger. In the Indian Army only the horse of the PBG are permitted to wear full manes, like their counterparts of the Household Cavalry in Britain. In addition to its own standards the PBG also carries The President Personal Standard on a parade. It is the only regiment in the Indian Army privileged to carry two standards, on ceremonial occasions. Honed to perfection in diverse skills, the PBG personnel have proved their worth in battle as well as in mounted tourneys and equestrian skills. Risaldar Major Milkha Singh won the first Gold Medal for India in the Asian three day Equestrian Event in 1982. Officers of the regiment have traditionally been excellent polo players, and it is no coincidence that some of India's highest ranking Polo players have worn the blue and maroon colors of the PBG regiment which was responsible for the survival of the Polo in country in the aftermath of independence and partition.
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