'3rd Madras Light Cavalry 1895'

Watercolour drawing by F O'Beirne, 1895.

Mounted officer with sword held aloft.

Originally raised in 1784 as the 2nd Regiment of Madras Native Cavalry, the unit was re-raised in 1786 following a mutiny over pay. In 1788 the regiment was renumbered the 3rd Regiment of Madras Native Cavalry. By 1819 the unit had dropped the title 'native' and was known as 3rd Regiment of Madras Light Cavalry, converting to lancers by 1891.