View source for 21st Horse (Central India Horse)

{{Short description|Indian Army unit}}
{{use dmy|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Central India Horse
| abbreviation                  =
| image                         = Havildar 1st Central India Horse 1886.jpg
| image_size                    = 200px
| caption                       = A [[havildar|daffadar]] of the 1st Central India Horse in 1886
| dates                         = 1857 – present
| country                       = [[India]]
| allegiance                    = {{flag|British India}}<br>{{flag|India}}
| branch                        = {{army|British India|23px}}<br>[[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|24px]] [[Indian Army]]
| type                          = Cavalry
| role                          =
| size                          = Regiment
| command_structure             =[[Indian Army Armoured Corps]]
| equipment                     = <!-- Commanders -->
| Past Commanders               =
| ceremonial_chief              =
| colonel_of_the_regiment       = Lt Gen PS Minhas<ref>{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2020/223002.pdf|title=Gazette of India No 45|date=2020-11-07|access-date=2020-11-24}}</ref>
| notable_commanders            = <!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol= C.I.H.
|identification_symbol_label=Abbreviation
| identification_symbol_2       = <!-- Culture and history -->
| nickname                      =
| patron                        =
| motto                         = भाग्य वीर पक्ष धर्म<br/>Bhagya Veer Paksha Dharma (Fortune favours the brave)
| colors                        =
| march                         =
| mascot                        =
| battles                       = [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]]<br>[[Second Afghan War]]<br>[[World War I|Great War]]<br>[[World War II|Second World War]]<br>[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948]]<br>[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]<br>[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
| anniversaries                 =
| decorations                   =
| battle_honours                = Kandahar, 1880<br/>Afghanistan, 1879-80<br/>Punjab Frontier<br/>Somme, 1916<br/>Morval<br/>Cambrai, 1917<br/>France and Flanders, 1914-18<br/>Megiddo<br/>Sharon<br/>Damascus<br/>Palestine, 1918<br/>Keren-Asmara Road<br/>Keren<br/>Abyssinia, 1940-41<br/>Relief of Tobruk, 1941<br/>North Africa, 1940-43<br/>Gothic Line<br/>Italy, 1943-45<br/>Greece, 1944-45<br/>Rajaori<br/>Jammu and Kashmir 1947-48<br/>Burki<br/>Punjab, 1965
}}
The '''Central India Horse''' (formerly the '''21st King George V's Own Horse''', also known as '''Beatson's Horse''') was a regular cavalry regiment of the [[British Indian Army]] and is presently part of the [[Indian Army Armoured Corps]].
==Formation==
The regiment was raised as two irregular cavalry regiments at the outset of the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]]. The first regiment was formed by Captain Henry Otway Mayne on 15 December 1857 and was known initially as '''Mayne's Horse'''.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-commemorations/commemorations/henry-otway-mayne|title= Henry Otway Mayne|date=|access-date=2020-12-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.britishempire.co.uk/article/palehorse/maynehenry.htm|title= Henry Mayne 1819 - 1861|date=|access-date=2020-12-10}}</ref> Captain Mayne who was from the [[Madras Army|6th Madras Light Cavalry]] and a [[Brigade major|Brigade Major]] of the [[9th Deccan Horse|Hyderabad Contingent]], raised his regiment with troops from Gwalior Contingent, Malwa Contingent Cavalry and [[9th Bhopal Infantry|Bhopal Contingent]].<ref>{{cite book| last= |first=|title= The Indian Army List, July -1940
|date=1940|publisher= Defence Department, Government of India|page=861|isbn= }}</ref><ref name="Jackson">{{cite book|last=Jackson|first=Donovan|title= India's Army|date=1940|publisher= Sampson Low, Marston & Co Ltd|pages=170–175}}</ref>
The second regiment was known as '''Beatson's Horse'''. It was raised between February and September 1858 in [[Hyderabad State|Hyderabad]] by Lieutenant Colonel (later Major-General) William Fergusson Beatson, originally of the [[Bengal Native Infantry]]. The troops were from Hyderabad.<ref name="auto">{{cite book| last= Anglesey|first=Lord|title= A History of the British Cavalry 1816-1919: Volume 2: 1851-1871|date=1975|publisher= Leo Cooper|isbn= 978-0208014689}}</ref>
They were based at the towns of [[Agar, Madhya Pradesh|Augur]] in Western [[Malwa]] and [[Guna, India|Goona]] in the state of [[Gwalior state|Gwalior]] in central India.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hart|first=H.G.|title=The New Army List (Hart's Army List)|pages=346–347|date=1872|publisher=John Murray, London}}</ref> In 1860, Mayne's Horse was renamed the '''1st Regiment, Central India Horse''', and Beatson's Horse was renamed the '''2nd Regiment, Central India Horse'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collection.nam.ac.uk/detail.php?acc=1963-06-42-2|title=The Attack'. Central India Horse, 1859|date=| access-date=2020-12-10}}</ref> Mayne's Horse and Beatson's Horse joined to form the Central India Horse in 1860.  They were joined by 200 men of the [[Richard John Meade|Meade's]] Horse in 1861.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{cite book| last=Thornton|first= Thomas Henry|title= General Sir Richard Meade and the Feudatory States of Central and Southern India|date=1898|publisher= Longmans, Greene and Co, London|page=46}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| last=Thornton|first= Thomas Henry|title= General Sir Richard Meade and the Feudatory States of Central and Southern India|date=1898|publisher= Longmans, Greene and Co, London|page=368}}</ref>
The Commandant of the Central India Horse then held political charge of the [[Malwa Agency|Western Malwa Agency]], which included the States of [[Jaora State|Jaora]], [[Ratlam State|Ratlam]], [[Sitamau State|Sitamau]] and [[Sailana State|Sailana]], with the Malwa districts of [[Gwalior state|Gwalior]], [[Indore State|Indore]], [[Jhalawar State|Jhalawar]], [[Tonk State|Dewas]], and [[Tonk State|Tonk]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Daly|first=Major Hugh|title=Memoirs of General Sir Henry Dermot Daly|date=1905|publisher=John Murray (London)|page=256}}</ref> In December 1895, control of the Agency was transferred from the charge of the Commandant of the Central India Horse to that of an officer of the [[Indian Political Department]], and the head-quarters of the Agency were removed from Agar to [[Neemuch]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Aithcoson|first=C.U.|title= A Collection of Treaties Engagements and Sanads relating to India and neighbouring countries, Vol-4|date=1909|publisher= Superintendent Government Printing, India|page=373}}</ref>
In 1860, the officer commanding the Central India Horse was made the British political officer for the small states of [[Raghogarh State|Raghugarh]], [[Khaniadhana]] (after 1888), [[Paron State|Paron]], [[Garha]], Umri and Bhadaura, which were made a separate charge from that of the Resident of Gwalior. This arrangement was abolished in 1896, when these states were again placed under the resident, with the officer commanding at Guna continuing to act as ex-officio assistant to the Resident, with very limited powers.<ref>{{cite book|last=Aithcoson|first=C.U.|title= A Collection of Treaties Engagements and Sanads relating to India and neighbouring countries, Vol-4|date=1909|publisher= Superintendent Government Printing, India|page=32}}</ref>
==Reorganisation==
During the [[Kitchener Reforms|Kitchener reorganisation]] of the Indian Army of 1903, the 1st Regiment became the '''38th Regiment Central India Horse''', and the 2nd regiment became the '''39th Regiment Central India Horse'''. In 1906, the regiments were renamed the '''38th and 39th Prince of Wales's Own Central India Horse''', and in 1910 the '''38th and 39th King George's Own Central India Horse'''.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/28443/page/9055|title=The London Gazette No 28443|date=1910-12-02|access-date=2020-12-17}}</ref> The composition of the regiment was Punjabi Musalmans, [[Sikh]]s and [[Jat people|Jats]].<ref>{{cite book|last=|first=|title= The Indian Army List, July -1940
|date=1940|publisher= Defence Department, Government of India|page=861|isbn= }}</ref>
==Operations==
; [[Indian Uprising of 1857]]
Both regiments which were raised as a consequence of the First War of Independence saw action in Central India in pursuit of [[Tatya Tope|Tantia Tope]] after the recapture of Gwalior.<ref name="Jackson"/>
;[[Second Anglo-Afghan War]]
The two regiments were part of the Kabul-Kandahar Field Force under its Commander-in-Chief,  [[Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts|Lieutenant-General Sir Frederick Roberts]]. It was part of the Cavalry Brigade led by Brigadier-general [[Hugh Henry Gough|Hugh Gough]]. The regiment was awarded the battle honours ‘Kandahar,1880’ and ‘Afghanistan, 1879-80’.<ref name="Jackson"/><ref>{{cite book|last=Norman|first=C.B.|title=Battle honours of the British army|date=1911|publisher=John Murray (London)|pages=379–391}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Shadbolt|first=S.H.|title=The Afghan Campaigns of 1887-1880|date=1882|publisher=Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, and Rivington, London|page=}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=|first= |title=The Second Afghan War 1878-80 Official Account by Intelligence Branch Army Headquarters, India|date=1907|publisher= John Murray (London)}}</ref>
;Punjab Frontier
In 1897, both regiments were involved in operations in the North West Indian Frontier with Afghanistan. The regiments were also deployed in [[Kurram District|Kurram Valley]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Norman|first=C.B.|title=Battle honours of the British army|date=1911|publisher=John Murray (London)|pages=396–406}}</ref>
;[[Iran|Persia]]:
[[File:Graffiti at Gate of all Nations 2.jpg|thumb|Graffito at the Gate of all Nations, Persepolis:<br/> "1911-1912, 39th K[ing] G[eorge's] O[wn] Central India Horse"]]
In October 1911, the British Government sent a small force of troops to Persia consisting of three and half squadron of 39th King George's Own Central India Horse and sixty men of the [[7th (Duke of Connaught's Own) Rajputs|7th Rajputs]] to support and protect its trade in [[Bushehr|Bushire]], [[Shiraz]] and [[Isfahan|Ispahan]]. The regiment lost one officer and several men in the many brushes with  [[Qashqai people|Kashguli tribesmen]].<ref name="Jackson"/> They left back for India in April 1913.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sykes|first=Sir Percy|title= A History Of Persia (Volume 2)|date=1915|publisher=Routledge Curzon, Taylor and Francis|isbn= 978-1136525971|page=469}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=|first=|title=Further correspondence respecting the affairs of Persia|date=1914|publisher=His Majesty's Stationery Office|page=86}}</ref>
;[[World War I]]
During the [[World War I|Great War]] the 38th King George's Own Central India Horse was part of the [[5th (Mhow) Cavalry Brigade]] in the [[2nd Indian Cavalry Division]].The brigade consisted of the [[6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons]], [[2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)]], 38th King George's Own Central India Horse and Signal Troop.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Ypres Salient |publisher=Commonwealth War Graves Commission|url=http://www.cwgc.org/ypres/content.asp?id=33&menu=subsub |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914181116/http://www.cwgc.org/ypres/content.asp?id=33&menu=subsub |archive-date=2012-09-14 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Roy|first=Kaushik|title= The Indian Army in the Two World Wars|date=2012|publisher=Brill|isbn= 978-9004185500|page=213}}</ref> The regiment lost many men in the [[Battle of Cambrai (1917)|Battle of Cambrai]], but were noted for their bravery in extricating the 2nd Lancers.<ref name="Jackson"/> Later in 1918 the 38th King George's Own Central India Horse joined the [[10th Cavalry Brigade (British Indian Army)|10th Cavalry Brigade]], in the [[4th Cavalry Division (British Indian Army)|4th Cavalry Division]] for the [[Sinai and Palestine Campaign]].<ref>{{cite book| last= Anglesey|first=Lord|title= A History of the British Cavalry 1816-1919: Volume 5: 1914-1919, Egypt, Palestine and Syria|date=1994|publisher= Leo Cooper|isbn= 978-0850523959}}</ref> They returned to India in February 1921.<ref name="Jackson"/>
The 39th King George's Own Central India Horse remained in India during the war, stationed in [[Pune|Poona]].
==Amalgamation==
In 1921, the two regiments were amalgamated at [[Quetta]] into the '''38th/39th Cavalry''', which was renamed the '''38th/39th King George's Own Light Cavalry''' in 1922, '''The Central India Horse (21st King George's Own Horse)''' in 1923, and The '''Central India Horse (21st King George V's Own Horse)''' in 1937. The horses were replaced by [[Armoured fighting vehicle|armoured fighting vehicles]] in 1939.<ref name="Jackson"/>
==Second World War==
[[File:Indian soldiers with swastika flag after re-occupation of Benghazi 1941.jpg|thumb|Central India Horse with captured German flag after re-occupation of [[Benghazi]], December 1941.]]
[[Image:IWM-E-10355-ACV-IP-19420410.jpg|thumb|Indian Pattern Carrier Mk IIA named 'Dhar IV' of the type used by the Central India Horse, North Africa, April 1942.]]
During the [[World War II|Second World War]], the Central India Horse (equipped with Light Tanks and [[Armoured Carrier Wheeled Indian Pattern|Indian Pattern Carriers]]) was the divisional reconnaissance regiment for the [[4th Infantry Division (India)|4th Indian Division]]. While attached to the 4th Indian Division they were involved in the [[Western Desert Campaign]], the [[East African Campaign (World War II)|East African Campaign]], the [[Tunisia Campaign]] and the [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italian Campaign]].<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=37645 |page=3545 |date=9 July 1946}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette |issue=37645 |page=3537 |date=9 July 1946}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette  |issue=37638 |supp=y |page=3442 |date=2 July 1946}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=|first=|title=The Tiger Strikes|date=1942|publisher=Director of Public Relations, India Command, Government of India|page=}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=|first=|title=The Tiger Kills|date=1944|publisher=Director of Public Relations, India Command, Government of India}}</ref>
It was during the Italian Campaign that two members of the Regiment were posthumously awarded the [[George Cross]]: [[Ditto Ram]] and [[St. John Graham Young]] attached from the [[Royal Tank Regiment]].<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=37185 |supp=y|page=3765|date=17 July 1945}}</ref>  Young had been leading a night patrol on 23 July 1944, when he and his men found themselves in any enemy minefield.  He received the full force of a mine explosion, severely injuring both legs.  Despite his wounds, his encouragement enabled the majority of his men to reach safety.  One of them, [[Sowar]] [[Ditto Ram]], was also posthumously awarded the GC for his actions in the same incident.<ref name=CWGC>{{cite web|url=http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2098122|title=Commonwealth War Graves Commission—Casualty details—Young, St John Graham|publisher=[[Commonwealth War Graves Commission]]|access-date=2008-05-27}}</ref>
===Bombay 'mutiny'===
In 1940, the Central India Horse was posted to Egypt. While awaiting embarkation the train carrying the regiment was kept in a siding for about twenty-four hours. During this delay four members of a radical political organization – the ''Kirti Lehar'' were able to persuade two-thirds of the [[Sikhs|Sikh]] squadron of the regiment to refuse overseas service. The remainder of the regiment embarked for North Africa and Italy where it served with distinction. The 'mutineers' were court-martialed.<ref>{{cite book|first=Philip|last=Mason|pages=513–514|title=A Matter of Honour. An Account of the Indian Army, its Officers and Men|year=1986|isbn=0-333-41837-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Gaylor|first=John|title= Sons of John Company -The Indian and Pakistan Armies 1903-91|year=1992|isbn= 978-0946771981|page=}}</ref>{{page needed|date=October 2022}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Roy|first=Kaushik|title= The Indian Army in the Two World Wars|date=2012|publisher=Brill|isbn= 978-9004185500|page=502}}</ref>
===Cavalry charge at Toungoo===
On March 20, 1942 Captain Arthur Sandeman of the Central India Horse was on secondment to the [[Burma Frontier Force]] - leading a [[mounted infantry]] column. Near [[Taungoo|Toungoo]] airfield in central [[Burma]] the 60-man mounted patrol mistook Japanese troops for Chinese ones and closed with them before realizing their mistake. Most of the patrol (including Sandeman) were killed in what was probably the last [[Charge (warfare)|cavalry charge]] by a force under the command of the British crown.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/burma/bfc.htm |title=Burma Frontier Constabulary: Burma Frontier Force |last1=Luscombe |first1=Stephen |last2=Herlihy |first2=Jim |date= |work=The British Empire website |publisher= |access-date=7 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://www.rothwell.force9.co.uk/burmaweb/FF3.htm |title=F.F.3, Burma Frontier Force}}</ref>
==Independence==
Upon India's independence, the Central India Horse (21st King George V's Own Horse) was allocated to India, although a Muslim [[Punjabis|Punjabi]] squadron was transferred to the [[19th King George V's Own Lancers]] in exchange for its [[Jat Regiment|Jat squadron]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Jeffreys|first=Alan|title= The Indian Army, 1939-47, Experience and Development|date= 2012|publisher= Routledge|isbn= 978-1409435532|page=184}}</ref> When India became a republic in 1950, the regiment was renamed The Central India Horse, which is one of the decorated regiments of the Indian Army. The Central India Horse is now a [[tank]] [[regiment]] of the [[Indian Army]]'s [[XXI Corps (India)|XXI Corps]] ([[Southern Command (India)|Southern Command]]).
;[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948]]
‘A’ Squadron of the Central India Horse took part in the March–April 1948 Indian offensive along with the three brigades ([[50th Parachute Brigade (India)|50th Parachute]], 19th Infantry and 20th Infantry) and advanced along the [[Nowshera, Jammu and Kashmir|Naoshera]]-[[Rajouri|Rajauri]] road and recaptured Janghar (March 17, 1948), then changed direction and occupied Rajauri (April 12, 1948).
It also took part in the second attempt to capture [[Poonch (town)|Poonch]] in October–November 1948. A light tank squadron of Central India Horse along with the 5th and 19th Infantry Brigades carried out the main attack between November 8 and 19 1948 from the Rajauri area to capture Pooch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.academia.edu/2473712|title= Peter A. Kiss - The First Indo-Pakistani War, 1947-48|access-date=2020-12-17|last1= Kiss|first1= Peter Almos}}</ref>
;[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]:
The regiment was part of the [[7th Indian Infantry Division|7 Infantry Division]] under [[XI Corps (India)|XI Corps]]. It was tasked to advance along the [[Khalra]]-[[Barki, Pakistan|Burki]] axis and capture the adjacent bridge over the [[Bambawali-Ravi-Bedian Canal|Ichhogil canal]] and [[Bedian]]. The attack was partially successful and following the [[Battle of Burki]], Burki and Jahman villages were captured. The regiment lost 6 tanks during this operation. Lt Col SC Joshi, commanding officer of the regiment was killed while negotiating an enemy minefield.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2015/aug16-15/h4.htm|title= Golden Jubilee of 1965 War - The Battle of Barki|date=2015-08-15|access-date=2020-12-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Harbaksh |title=War Despatches: Indo-Pak Conflict 1965|date=2012|publisher= Lancer Publishers LLC|isbn=978-8170621171|page=}}</ref>
;[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
The regiment was part of 26 Infantry Division and equipped with [[T-54/T-55|T-55 tanks]]. A detachment of the regiment was part of 3 Independent Armoured Brigade. Both were under [[XV Corps (India)|XV Corps]].<ref name="Gill 2003">{{cite book|last=Gill|first=JH|title=An Atlas Of 1971 India Pakistan War - Creation of Bangladesh|date=2003|publisher=National Defense University, Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies|isbn=|page=85}}</ref>
==Awards and honours==
Prominent winners of gallantry awards include:
;Early years
*[[Order of the Indian Empire|Companion of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire]] : Major Francis Henry Rutherford Drummond, 2nd Regiment of Central India Horse; and [[Risaldar-major|Rissaldar Major]] Baha-ud-din Khan, Sardar Bahadur, 1st Regiment of Central India Horse<ref>{{London Gazette|city=Edinburgh |issue=10908 |page=780 |date=1897-08-10}}</ref>
[[File:Rudolf Swoboda (1859-1914) - Risaldar-Major Baha-Ud-Din Khan, Sirdar Bahadur, 1st Central India Horse - RCIN 403811 - Royal Collection.jpg |thumb|upright|Painting of Risaldar-Major Baha-Ud-Din Khan, Sirdar Bahadur, 1st Central India Horse by [[Rudolf Swoboda]].  Baha-Ud-Din Khan served on the North-West Frontier, in the Indian Rebellion and in the China and Afghan Wars. In 1884, he was appointed Risaldar-Major, the senior Indian officer and adviser to the British commander of his regiment. He was made Aide-de-Camp to the Viceroy in 1895.|alt=|right]]<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rct.uk/collection/403811/risaldar-major-baha-ud-din-khan-sirdar-bahadur-1st-central-india-horse-regiment|title= Risaldar-Major Baha-Ud-Din Khan, Sirdar Bahadur, 1st Central India Horse|access-date=2020-12-18}}</ref>
*[[Royal Victorian Order|Commander of the Royal Victorian Order]] : Colonel Lionel Herbert<ref>{{London Gazette|city=Edinburgh |issue=11501 |page=355 |date=1903-04-03 }}</ref>
;[[Delhi Durbar|Imperial Visit to India, 1911]]<ref>{{cite book|last=India|first=Government of|title= The Historical Record of the Imperial Visit to India 1911; compiled from the Official Records under the orders of the Viceroy and Governor-General of India|date=1914|publisher= John Murray (London)}}</ref>
The following were honoured during the Imperial Visit of King [[George V]] to India
*[[Order of the Indian Empire|Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire]] : Captain Rudolph Edward Trower Hogg
*[[Order of British India|Order of British India, 1st Class, with the title of " Sardar Bahadur”]]: Risaldar Major Malik Ghulam Muhammad Khan
;Persia
*[[Order of St Michael and St George|Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George]] : Lieutenant-Colonel James Archibald Douglas<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=28724 |supp=y |page=3906|date=30 May 1913}}</ref>
*[[Order of the Lion and the Sun|Order of the Lion and the Sun, 3rd Class]] : Captain Edward Thomas Ruscombe Wickham<ref>{{London Gazette|city=Edinburgh |issue=13552 |page=205 |date=1920-01-19}}</ref>
;[[1917 Birthday Honours]]
*Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire : Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Hierom Ogilvy Spence<ref>{{London Gazette|city=Edinburgh |issue=13099 |page=1054 |date=1917-06-04 }}</ref>
;World War I
*[[Battle honour]]s : [[Battle of the Somme|Somme 1916]], [[Battle of Cambrai (1917)|Cambrai 1917]], [[Battle of Morval|Morval]], [[France]] and [[Flanders]] 1914-18, [[Battle of Megiddo (1918)|Megiddo]], [[Battle of Sharon|Sharon]], [[Damascus]], and [[Palestine (region)|Palestine 1918]].
*[[Order of the British Empire|Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire]] Captain and Brevet Major [[Charles Harvey (Indian Army officer)|Charles Offley Harvey]], M.V.O., M.C., 38th King George's Own Central India Horse<ref>{{London Gazette|city=Edinburgh |issue=13756 |page=1844 |date=1921-11-01 }}</ref>
*Companion of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire : Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Huntingdon Stable<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=34518 |supp=y |page=3691|date=7 June 1938}}</ref>
*[[Indian Order of Merit]] : Risaldar Dilawar Khan, Ressaidar Jawand Singh, Lance Daffadar Faiz Muhammad Khan, Ressaidar Lihaz Gul Khan, Jemadar Mirzaman Khan, Ressaidar Dyal Singh, RessaidarKertar Singh, Sowar Dalip Singh, Sowar Indar Singh.<ref>{{cite book|last=India|first=Adjutant General of|title=List of Honours Awarded to the Indian Army August 1914 to August 1921|date=1930|publisher= Committee Indian War Memorial Delhi}}</ref>
*[[Military Cross]]: Risaldar Kamaluddin Khan
*[[Order of British India]]: Risaldar Major Amar Singh, Risaldar Dilawar Khan, Risaldar Kamaluddin Khan, Ressaidar Mohan Singh
*[[Indian Distinguished Service Medal]] : 38th King George's Own Central India Horse – 29 medals, 39th King George's Own Central India Horse – 4 medals.<ref name="auto1">{{cite book|last=India|first=Adjutant General of |title=List of Honours Awarded to the Indian Army August 1914 to August 1921|date=1930|publisher= Committee Indian War Memorial Delhi}}</ref>
*[[British Empire Medal|Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service]] : Dafadar Lohrasab Khan<ref>{{London Gazette|city=Edinburgh |issue=14553 |page=578 |date=1929-06-04 }}</ref>
*[[Indian Meritorious Service Medal (for Indian Army)|Indian Meritorious Service Medal]]s: 38th King George's Own Central India Horse – 58 medals, 39th King George's Own Central India Horse – 12 medals.<ref name="auto1"/>
*[[Order of Saint Anna|Order of Saint Anna, 3rd Class]] : Lieutenant-Colonel Alfred Percy Browne<ref>{{London Gazette |city=Edinburgh |issue=13053 |page=378 |date=1917-02-19 }}</ref>
*[[Honour medal for courage and devotion|Medaille d'Honneur avec Glaives "en Argent"]] : Private Frederick Mason<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=31812 |supp=y |page=2869 |date=5 March 1920}}</ref>
*[[Croix de guerre (Belgium)]]: Kot Dafadar Shawali Khan.<ref name="auto1"/>
; World War II
*[[Battle honour]]s : [[Battle of Keren|Keren-Asmara Road]], [[Battle of Keren|Keren]], [[East African campaign (World War II)|Abyssinia 1940-41]], [[Siege of Tobruk|Relief of Tobruk 1941]], [[North African campaign|North Africa 1940-43]], [[Gothic Line]], [[Italian campaign (World War II)|Italy 1943-45]], [[Greek Civil War|Greece 1944-45]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org:80/regiments/southasia/cav/1921-21.htm|title=The Central India Horse (21st King George V's Own Horse) |work=regiments.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060214200642/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/southasia/cav/1921-21.htm|access-date=2020-12-17|archive-date=2006-02-14|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[George Cross]] : Sowar Ditto Ram<ref>{{ London Gazette |issue=37386 |supp=y |page=6055 |date=1945-12-11 }}</ref> and Lieutenant [[St John Young|St. John Graham Young]]<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=37185 |supp=y |page=3765 |date=17 July 1945}}</ref>
*[[Indian Order of Merit|The Indian Order of Merit (Second Class)]] : Risaldar Malik Mohammed Allahdad Khan,<ref name="The Tiger Kills, page 312">{{cite book|last=|first=|title=The Tiger Kills|date=1944|publisher=Director of Public Relations, India Command, Government of India|page=312}}</ref> Lance-Daffadar Ram Bhaj<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=35396 |page=7336|date=26 December 1941}}</ref>
*[[Military Cross]] : Captain D.H.G.M. Doyne Ditmas<ref name="The Tiger Kills, page 312"/>
*[[Military Medal]] : Lance-Daffadar Ranbir Singh<ref>{{ London Gazette |issue=37484 |supp=y |page=1170 |date=1946-02-26 }}</ref>
*[[Indian Distinguished Service Medal]] : Lance Daffadar Kapur Singh, Sowar Yad Ram,<ref name="The Tiger Strikes, page 148">{{cite book|last=|first=|title=The Tiger Strikes|date=1942|publisher=Director of Public Relations, India Command, Government of India|page=148}}</ref> Risaldar Ali Musa Khan, Risaldar Sis Ram, Jemadar Mohammed Bahadur Khan, Daffadar Janak Singh, Lance-Daffadar Ram Bhaj, Lance-Daffadar Khuda Baksh, Lance-Daffadar Attar Singh<ref name="The Tiger Kills, page 312"/>
*[[British Empire Medal|Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service]] : Sowar Chabbila Ram<ref>{{ London Gazette |issue=38122 |supp=y |page=5351 |date=1947-11-14 }}</ref>
*[[Mentioned in Despatches]] : 19<ref name="The Tiger Strikes, page 149">{{cite book|last=|first=|title=The Tiger Strikes|date=1942|publisher=Director of Public Relations, India Command, Government of India|page=149}}</ref><ref name="The Tiger Kills, page 312"/>
;Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948:
*[[Battle honour]]s : Rajaori, Jammu and Kashmir 1947-48,
*[[Maha Vir Chakra]] : Captain Arvind Nilkhanth Jatar<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/1137|title= Captain Arvind Nilkhanth Jatar, MVC|date=|access-date=2022-02-05}}</ref>
*[[Vir Chakra]] :  Major Karam Singh,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/1181|title= Major Karam Singh, VrC|date=|access-date=2022-02-05}}</ref> Lieutenant Satish Chandra Joshi,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/1207|title= Lieutenant Satish Chandra Joshi, VrC|date=|access-date=2022-02-05}}</ref> Jemadar Janak Singh,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/1308|title= Jemadar Janak Singh, VrC|date=|access-date=2022-02-05}}</ref> Lance Daffadar Waryam Singh,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/1376|title= Lance Daffadar Waryam Singh, VrC|date=|access-date=2022-02-05}}</ref> Sowar Roop Chand<ref>{{cite web|url=  https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/1567|title= Sowar Roop Chand, VrC|date=|access-date=2022-02-05}}</ref>
*[[Mentioned in Despatches]] : 10<ref>{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/1951/O-2306-1951-0007-107698.pdf|title=Gazette of India No 7|date=1951-02-17| access-date=2020-12-21}}</ref>
;[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]:
*[[Battle honour]]s : Burki, Punjab 1965
* [[Vir Chakra]] : Lt Col Satish Chandra Joshi,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/3266|title=Lt Col Satish Chandra Joshi, VrC|date=|access-date=2022-02-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/1966/O-1665-1966-0041-75918.pdf |title=Gazette of India, No 41, page 663|date=1966-10-08|access-date=2022-02-05}}</ref> Naib Risaldar Jagdish Singh<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/3199|title= Naib Risaldar Jagdish Singh, VrC|date=|access-date=2022-02-05}}</ref>
*[[Sena Medal]] : Dafadar Ishwar Singh, Lance Daffadar Uttam Singh<ref>{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/1967/O-1608-1967-0001-72526.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 1|date=1967-01-07|access-date=2021-05-01}}</ref>
*[[Mentioned in Despatches]] : 2<ref>{{cite web|url=https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/1966/O-1665-1966-0045-75922.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 45|date=1966-11-05|access-date=2020-12-13}}</ref>
;Presentation of Guidon
The regiment was presented the a [[guidon (heraldic flag)|guidon]] by the then [[President of India]], [[Zail Singh|Giani Zail Singh]] on 8 January 1983.<ref>{{cite book|title=Sainik Samachar |volume= 30 |date= 1983|publisher=Director of Public Relations, Ministry of Defence}}</ref>
==Notable personnel==
*[[James Travers|General James Travers]] : Commanded the regiment in 1860 and was recipient of [[Victoria Cross]].<ref name="Indian Biography">{{cite book|last=Buckland|first=CE|title=Dictionary of Indian Biography|date=1906|publisher=Swan Sonnenschein & Co, London}}</ref>
*[[Henry Daly|General Sir Henry Dermot Daly]] : Commanded the regiment in 1861 and was the Governor General of India's Agent in Central India between 1870 and 1881. He also raised the [[11th Cavalry (Frontier Force)|Daly's Horse]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Daly|first=Major Hugh|title=Memoirs of General Sir Henry Dermot Daly|date=1905|publisher=John Murray (London)|page=253}}</ref>
*[[Dighton Probyn|General Sir Dighton Macnaghten Probyn]] : Commanded the regiment between 1868 and 1870, recipient of [[Victoria Cross]] and after whom the [[5th Horse|5th King Edward's Own Probyn's Horse]] and Probynabad are named.<ref>{{cite book|last=Daly|first=Major Hugh|title=Memoirs of General Sir Henry Dermot Daly|date=1905|publisher=John Murray (London)|page=327}}</ref>
*[[John Watson (Indian Army officer)|General Sir John Watson]] : Commanded the regiment in 1871 and was recipient of [[Victoria Cross]].<ref name="Indian Biography"/>
*[[Sam Browne|General Sir Samuel James Browne]] :  Recipient of the Victoria Cross, commanded the regiment and raised [[12th Cavalry (Frontier Force)#22nd Sam Browne's Cavalry (Frontier Force)|22nd Sam Browne's Cavalry]]<ref name="Jackson"/>
[[File:Badge, regimental (AM 790868-1).jpg|thumb|right|205x205px|Shoulder badge of the Central India Horse (21st King George V's Own Horse) before 1947: shoulder title letters CIH below the Welsh [[Prince of Wales's feathers|Ich Dien]] symbol with feathers and coronet]]
*General Sir Montagu Gilbert Gerard<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.m.wikisource.org/wiki/Dictionary_of_National_Biography,_1912_supplement/Gerard,_Montagu_Gilbert|title=Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Gerard, Montagu Gilbert|date=|access-date=2020-12-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last= Gerard|first= Montagu Gilbert|title= Leaves from the Diaries of a Soldier and Sportsman During Twenty Years' Service in India, Afganistan, Egypt and Other Countries, 1865-1885|date=1903|publisher=John Murray (London)|isbn=978-1151457004}}</ref>
*[[Neville Chamberlain (police officer)|Sir Neville Francis Fitzgerald Chamberlain]] : served in the regiment in 1876 and is credited with having invented the game of [[snooker]] while serving in Jubbulpore ([[Jabalpur]]), India, in 1875.<ref name="Indian Biography"/>
*[[Jaswant Singh]] : Former Cabinet Minister of External Affairs, Finance and Defence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/musings/a-soldier-statesman-departs-147678|title=A soldier-statesman departs|date=2020-09-28|access-date=2020-12-11}}</ref>
*Lieutenant General Misbah Mayadas, {{small|PVSM}} : Deputy Director of Military Operations; Director General of Weapons and Equipment; and Director General of Military Training
*Lieutenant General Surinder Kumar Jetley, {{small|PVSM, AVSM, SM}} : [[Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Training and Coordination)]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://genthimayya.org/lieutenant-general-s-k-jetley/|title=LIEUTENANT GENERAL S. K. JETLEY|date=|access-date=2021-06-21}}</ref>
*Lieutenant General Bhupinder Singh Thakur {{small|PVSM, AVSM}} : [[Vice Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Army Staff]], January - September 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/lt-gen-b-s-thakur-new-vice-chief-of-army-chief_197103.html|title=Lt Gen B S Thakur new Vice Chief of Army Chief|date=2005-01-20|access-date=2021-06-21}}</ref>
*[[Dewan Rabindranath Soni|Lieutenant General Dewan Rabindranath Soni, {{small|PVSM, VSM}}]] : General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Southern Command<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2017/dec16-17/h21.htm|title=Sainik Samachar, December 2017|date=2017-12-16| access-date=2020-12-13}}</ref> and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC).<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2016/oct01-16/h22.htm|title=Sainik Samachar, October 2016|date=2016-10-01|access-date=2020-12-13}}</ref>
*Lieutenant General Paramjit Singh Minhas : General Officer-Commanding  [[XII Corps (India)|XII Corps]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thedailyguardian.com/lt-gen-minhas-takes-over-command-of-konark-corps/|title=Lt Gen Minhas takes over command of Konark Corps|date=2021-02-13|access-date=2021-10-03}}</ref>
*[[Kanwar Zorawar Singh|Major General K Zorawar Singh]], [[Military Cross|{{small|MC}}]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2008/mar01-08/h15.html|title='Love and War' Released|date=|access-date=2020-12-13}}</ref>
==Uniforms and insignia==
The original uniforms were modelled upon that of the [[Corps of Guides (India)|Guides]]. The men wore [[khaki]], the [[Facing (sewing)|facings]] being maroon, a blue Ludhiana [[Pagri (turban)|pagri]], white [[breeches]], scarlet [[lungi]] and black [[puttee]]s.<ref name="Jackson"/>
The Regimental insignia consists of crossed [[lance]]s with [[pennon]]s with the letters CIH inscribed between the crossing of the lances mounted with the [[St Edward's Crown|crown]]. The crown was replaced with the [[State Emblem of India|Ashoka Lion Capital]].
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.members.tripod.com/~Glosters/IAcavalry1.htm Uniforms of the late 19th Century]
* [https://centralindiahorseassociation.co.uk/ Central India Horse Association, UK]
{{British Indian Army Cavalry Regiments 1903 - 1946}}
{{Indian Army Armoured Corps}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:British Indian Army cavalry regiments]]
[[Category:Honourable East India Company regiments]]
[[Category:Indian World War I regiments]]
[[Category:Indian World War II regiments]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1857]]
[[Category:Armoured and cavalry regiments of the Indian Army from 1947]]
[[Category:1857 establishments in British India]]