Bicentenary of 16th Light Cavalry Regiment

The 16th Light Cavalry stands as the senior-most regiment of the Armoured Corps, entitled to the prestigious position of standing on the right of all units on parade, next only to the President’s Body Guard. The regiment traces its lineage back to 1776 when it served under the Nawab of Arcot as the 3rd Regiment of Cavalry. Its exceptional performance in the Carnatic Wars earned it a permanent place in the East India Company’s Army.

The role and significance of the mounted soldier and his successor, the tankman, are evolving rapidly in modern warfare. However, in the Indian Army, they still hold a position of great honor, deeply rooted in history and tradition. The Armoured Corps of today embodies the spirit and valor of old cavaliers and lancers, combined with the expertise of skilled gunners and the technical proficiency of electronic operators.

Over its two centuries of distinguished service, the regiment has undergone various changes in organization and designation. Initially manned by soldiers from the Madras Presidency, its composition was diversified in 1903 to include Rajputs, Jats, and Deccani Mahamadans. Post-independence, the regiment returned to its original South Indian composition.

In 1940, the regiment transitioned from horses and sabers to tanks and armored cars, demonstrating its prowess in mechanized warfare during World War II by leading the reconquest of Burma from the Japanese. In subsequent conflicts like the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971, the regiment played a pivotal role in the Indian advance into Pakistan, earning the battle honor of ‘Phillora’ inscribed on its standards.

The regiment has been at the forefront of Indianization efforts, with distinguished leaders like General J.N. Chaudhuri, Lieutenant General M.S. Wadalia, and Lieutenant General S.D. Verma among its first Indian officers. Throughout its illustrious history, the regiment has garnered numerous distinctions, including battle honors, gallantry awards, mentions in dispatches, and commendation cards.

To mark its bicentenary, the President of India will present new colors to the regiment on March 4, 1976. In commemoration of this occasion, the Posts & Telegraphs Department is pleased to issue a special postage stamp featuring a Vijayanta tank manufactured in India.