The Deccan Horse Bicentennial 1990

The 9th Deccan Horse is a regiment of the Indian Army, which was a regular cavalry regiment of the British Indian Army, the Royal Deccan Horse (9th Horse). It was formed from the amalgamation of two regiments after World War I. They saw service from the Mutiny of 1857 up to and including World War II.

The 9th Royal Deccan Horse can trace its formation to 1790 when it was called Asif Sah’s   Irregular Cavalry. Two Regiments were raised for service under the Nizam of Hyderabad in Berar  who was allied with the East India Company.  

During the following years the Regiment's title would change and they were known by the following titles over the years;

1st Regiment, Nizam’s Cavalry

2nd Regiment, Nizam's Cavalry

1st Cavalry, Hyderabad Contingent

2nd Cavalry, Hyderabad Contingent

1st Lancers, Hyderabad Contingent

2nd Lancers, Hyderabad Contingent.

The Deccan Horse was frequently called for service during the 18th and 19th Centuries, winning a Victoria Cross in 1859 and was also awarded the battle honour, ‘Central India’.

The Regiment was also in action during the, the Burma War, and in China during the Boxer Rebellion. In 1903 during Kitchener’s reform  of the Indian Army the two Regiments were incorporated into the regular Indian Army with the titles XXth Deccan Horse and the 29^th Lancers (Deccan Hotse). The XXth Deccan Horse was awarded the titled Royal for their distinguished service during World War I, and in 1922 following the amalgamation of the two regiments, the Royal Deccan Horse (9th Horse) was formed. During the Second World War, the Regiment converted to tanks, and became part of the 255th Indian Tank Brigade.  The regiment took part in the re-conquest of Burma.