Shoulder belt buckle, 7th Bengal Cavalry, 1861-1904

Gilt belt buckle.

The Bengal Presidency had begun increasing its military forces in the fallout of the failed 1st Afghan War (1839-1842) and in light of the power struggles in the Punjab following the death of Sikh leader Ranjit Singh. Despite the conclusion of the 1st Sikh War (1845-1846) it seemed likely a second war would follow, and Bengal continued to grow its military forces in anticipation.

On 24 January 1846, Captain John Liptrott was instructed to begin raising the 16th Irregular Cavalry, recruiting in Cawnpore and Meerut. The unit was renamed as the 17th Irregular Cavalry in 1847 and the following year fought in the 2nd Sikh War (1848-1849) in which it earned the battle honour 'Punjaub'. In 1857 it was stationed in the North West Frontier of India and was not directly involved in any of the events of the Indian Mutiny. In 1861, as part of the post-Mutiny reforms, the regiment was renamed as the 7th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry. The regiment was deployed to the 3rd Burma War (1885-1887), earning the battle honour 'Burma 1885-87'.

In 1900 the regiment was retitled as the 7th Regiment of Bengal Lancers, and in 1901 this was shortened to 7th Bengal Lancers. In 1903 their title was again shortened, losing the Bengal designation to become the 7th Lancers. In 1904 the title was again altered to 7th Hariana Lancers, seemingly due to the large number of men recruited in that area to the regiment.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.