From 1776 to 2026 India's oldest armoured regiment has ridden through history

A carved Kashmiri wooden panel with the crest of the 27th Light Cavalry which was redesignated the 16th Light Cavalry in 1922.

The 16th Light Cavalry began its long ride in 1776 as a regiment in the service of the Nawab of Arcot. For almost 150 years its Indian sowars were led by British officers. Then in 1923 it became one of the first Indian cavalry regiments chosen for 'Indianisation' – Indian sowars would be led by Indian officers. In 1939, when World War Two broke out, they were still mounted on horses. That horsepower was rapidly coverted to tanks – and by 1941 they were ready and standing by in Quetta. Then in 1945 they were called to help fight the Japanese in Burma; they completed the dash from Quetta to the banks of the Irrawaddy in record time. The 16th fought in 1965 and in 1971. And should they be needed again in the 21st century, they're as ready as they've been since the 18th.