Indian Defence Review

Operational History: The primary duty of the Regiment was to provide personal and battlefield security to the Governor General. The raising Charter of the unit clearly stated the role of the PBG, “To act as Bodyguard to the Governor in peace and to accompany him as Commander-in-Chief in battle.” But the operational role of the unit got redefined soon after it was raised. During 1773-1774, the PBG was first deployed against the Sanyasis — a band that ravaged the countryside in the guise of mendicants, against the Rohillas in April 1774 in the Battle of St. George, during the Third Mysore War (1790-1792) against Tipu Sultan. During the Third Mysore War, it successfully thwarted an assassination attempt on the life of Governor General Lord Cornwallis. The regiment won its first Battle Honour ‘Java’ in 1811 during the conquest of the island. At present, the PBG has the unique distinction of being the only surviving unit to carry this honour. Regiment took part in the First Burmese War and earned their second Battle Honour ‘Ava’. The PBG fought all the main battles of the First Sikh War and earned four Battle Honours — ‘Moodkee, Ferozshah, Aliwal and Sabroan’. During the entire period of World War I, GGBG worked as remount training centre working as trainers for raw remounts of cavalry and artillery. However, a detachment of the unit was sent to France as a reinforcement of 3rd Skinner’s Horse. During World War II, for a brief period of time, the GGBG served as the 44th Division Reconnaissance Squadron.