Sowar, 4th Bombay Cavalry (Poona Horse), 1888 (c)

Watercolour by Alfred Crowdy Lovett (1862-1919), 1888 (c).

Dismounted sowar in review order, wearing Indian Order of Merit and 2nd Afghan War Medal.

In 1817 an auxiliary unit was raised for the East India Company's Bombay Presidency army. It was named the Poona Auxiliary Horse in 1818 and renamed the Poona Irregular Horse in 1847. The unit became the Poona Horse in 1862. Renamed the 4th Bombay Cavalry (Poona Horse) in 1885, the unit became the 4th (Prince Albert Victor's Own) Bombay Cavalry (Poona Horse) in 1890. In the 1903 reform of the Indian Army the unit was re-numbered as the 34th Prince Albert Victor's Own Poona Horse.