The Deccan Horse

v.2.0 February 15, 2005

 

Ravi Rikhye

 

Unfortunately, we lost the history with illustrations of the regiment that we had posted years ago on a free hosting service. We thought we thought we’d shifted the page to our new server, but unfortunately it appears we did not. Should anyone have copied the original history, kindly send it us.

 

The Deccan Horse, also called 9 Horse, was raised in 1790, making it the Indian Cavalry’s fourth senior most regiment. It was known as Asaf Jah’s Irregular Cavalry, in honor of the Nizam-ul-Mulk of Hyderabad. At 10,000 men it was probably the largest cavalry “regiment” the world has ever seen, and it operated to bring order to the lawless regions of the Deccan.

 

The history of the Regiment prior to 1947 is well charted, and we will eventually include it here. For now, here is a brief summary of its actions as part of the independent Indian Army.

 

1947-48

 

The Regiment operated in the Jammu sector. It may have the distinction of being the last Indian combat arms unit in operation against the adversary when the ceasefire was called. The Regiment was in action against Pakistan armor trying to cut the Jammu-Akhnoor-Nowshera-Poonch Road and did not receive the ceasefire order. The story of that last battle, how the Regiment learned the war was over, and what happened after, is being written by its CO at the time and will be posted when received.

 

Sherman IV and V

 

1965

 

As the divisional tank regiment of 4th Mountain Division, the Deccan Horse fought in the famous Battle of Asul Uttar. Just a few weeks previously it had been part of 2nd Independent Armored Brigade participating in Operation Ablaze, and was to meet up with it old brigade at the battle. Its saber troops were equipped with the 76mm Sherman IV, all command and control tanks were Sherman Vs.

 

OC Lt. Col. A.S. Vaidya

       

A Squadron    Major (later Lt.-General) J. M ("Jimmy" ) Vohra

                Troop Commander Lt. G.S. Randhawa

     

B Squadron     Major J.S.Bal

     

     C Squadron    Major D.K. Mehta

                Troop Comander 2nd Lt. (later Lt.-General) T.S. Shergill

 

76mm Upgunned Sherman  [Not yet linked]

 

1971

 

In this war the Regiment was the divisional tank regiment of 10th Infantry Division at Akhnur, and participated in the Battle for Chaamb.

 

 T-54

 

1990s

 

The Regiment participated in CI operations in 1991 in a dismounted role.

 

Sources

 

Bhupinder Singh [1982] 1965 War (Role of Tanks in in India-Pakistan War).  BC Publishers, Patiala, Punjab (India)

Cavalry Officers Association [2000] Valour Honour Tradition (Vignettes of the Indian Armored Corps 1773-2000. Director General  Mechanized Forces, Sena Bhawan, New Delhi 110001.