Jat Horse Yeomanry at Bolwal on the Nepal Frontier, 1859

Watercolour by unknown artist, 1859 (c).

The Jat Horse Yeomanry were established in 1857 for service during the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859). As unit after unit of the Bengal Army mutinied, the authorities were forced to raise whatever troops they could. Irregular regiments were formed primarily from the recently conquered lands of the Punjab and the North West Frontier. Many of these units would later form the backbone of the reorganised Indian Army. In 1861 the Jat Yeomanry was renamed the 14th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry.