President's Bodyguard: Indian Army's elite cavalry regiment which protects India's first citizen

The main 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.

President's Body Guard (Source: Reuters)

One of the most notable moments of every Republic Day Parade is the President of the nation being escorted by the President's Body guard, the elite horse mounted cavalry regiment of the Indian Army to the Rajpath in their regal ceremonial attire. 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 main 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. The President's Bodyguard, the oldest surviving mounted unit with a 245-year legacy, is made up of almost 200 soldiers and represents supreme and selfless service. 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. 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. 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. Besides being experts in there ceremonial duties, the bodyguards are trained combat paratroopers and armoured vehicle crewmen. They are also trained to suit various combat roles. The PBG only recruits candidates who are at least six feet (1.82 metres) tall with a robust physical appearance and carry an impeccable professional reputation.