18th Cavalry

The 8th and 16th Regiments of Bengal Irregular Cavalry were raised in 1842 and 1846 respectively. Later redesignated as the 6th Bengal Cavalry and 7th Hariana Lancers, they were amalgamated to form the 18 Cavalry in 1922.

The Regiment participated in battles in France, North Africa, Egypt, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan and Burma in the two World Wars and other campaigns. In the defence of the country, it fought in the Sialkot (Pakistan) and the Ganganagar sectors in the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistan Wars respectively. For its distinguished record, 18 Cavalry has the proud privilege of being awarded 29 battle honours, which is the second highest number awarded to any unit of the Indian Army. An impressive number of personnel of the Regiment have been decorated for gallantry and sacrifice, principal amongst which are 3 Victoria Crosses, 46 Indian Distinguished Service Medals, 24 Indian Orders of Merit and 2 Vir Chakras.

The President has twice reviewed the Regiment on the Republic Day parade and once in Jammu in 1958. In March 1980 the President, Shri Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, honoured the Regiment by presenting a Guidon in recognition of its services.

Proud of its glorious history and traditions, the Regiment retains the old Indian cavalry spirit. Celebrating its 150th year of dedication to the profession of arms, 18 Cavalry looks forward to the future with pride and confidence in its abilities and the fighting prowess of its soldiers, The.Department of Posts considers it a privilege to release a commemorative postage stamp on this proud occasion in the history of the Regiment.

Text. Courtesy Additional Director General Army Postal Service.

Description of Designs: The commemorative stamp depicts the gradual transformation of this fine, battle- worthy Regiment. The colourful Sowar astride his mount, dressed in regimental livery, rode away into the pages of history and was replaced, in succession, by steel steeds-the Stuart tank in 1943, the Sherman in 1946, the T-54 in 1966 and the  T-72 in 1983.

The first day cover provides a glimpse into an extremely rare occurrence in the history of any cavalry regiment. Having shed its horses, the Regiment converted to a motorised cavalry regiment equipped with anti-tank guns in 1940. With these the Regiment defended the desert garrison of Tobruk in North Africa for five long months in 1941 and thus wrote the most proud and memorable chapter in its history by fighting as a versatile amalgam of cavalry, infantry, artillery and commando raiders.

Date of Issue: 14.11.91