The President's Bodyguard (PBG), as it is known today, was raised in 1773 at Benares, by then Governor General Warren Hastings, with a strength of 50 picked troopers and horses. After Independence, in keeping with its high traditions, the PBG rendered yeoman service in 1947 and around the capital in the upheaval during the aftermath of partition.
The traditional uniform and accoutrements today, date back to 1890 and comprise a blue and gold ceremonial turban with a distinctive fan, a red or white long coat with gold girdles white buckskin gauntlets, white breeches and Napoleon boots with spurs. The PBG's special 10'9" long bamboo cavalry lances, carried in stirrup lance buckets are adorned with the red and white cavalry pennant.
A sheathed cavalry sabre is carried at the side of the saddle of each trooper. The wings of a trained combat parachutist, in gold, adorn the breast of each member of the PBG, in symmetry with full medals. The officers and Junior facings, on heavily embroidered tunics with gold aiguillettes. Officers carry cavalry sabred on parade with scabbards supported in a scarlet and gold sabretache.
There are a number of painting available which describe the uniforms of the President's bdyguards. The painting of Maj. Lovett shows a sowar of GBG, Madras wearing a red Alkhalak with 1.5 inches of gold coloured lace round the neck & chest. Blue coloured pagri (also referred as Lungi by British authors) with red coloured stripes on gold and is worn round the red coloured Kullah.
White Gauntlet gloves, white breeches, black Napoleon boots with Blue coloured Kammarband with stripes in red, yellow & white colour complete the uniform.
Another painting by Chater Paul Chater provides more accurate detail of the uniform of the sowar. It shows the same uniform as shown by Lovett but the Pugri is blue coloured with gold, blue & white stripes. Army Dress regulations, 1901 gives almost similar information of the dress of the Native Officer of the unit.
To get more of such fascinating details , one can go on indiandefencereview.com to find a very interesting article written by Sumit Walia, an IT Specialist. He is also a Military History buff who continues to Explore & Research various facets of the Indian Military History in his spare time.
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