Context
- President Droupadi Murmu presented the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the President’s Bodyguard in a ceremony.
About the President’s Bodyguard
- The President’s Bodyguard (PBG) is the oldest regiment in the Indian Army, having been raised as the Governor-General’s Bodyguard (later the Viceroy’s Bodyguard) in 1773. The regiment was raised in Banaras (Varanasi) by the then Governor-General, Warren Hastings.
- It had an initial strength of 50 handpicked cavalry troopers from the so-called Moghal Horse, which was raised by two local sardars in 1760, and was later augmented by another 50 horsemen.
- On January 27, 1950, the regiment was renamed the President’s Bodyguard.
Silver Trumpet and Banner
- As the President of India’s own Guard, it has the unique distinction of being the only military unit of the Indian Army that is privileged to carry the President’s Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner.
- This distinction was conferred on the President’s Bodyguard in 1923 by the then Viceroy, Lord Reading, on the occasion of the Bodyguard completing 150 years of service. Each succeeding Viceroy, thereafter, presented the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the Bodyguard.
- Every President has continued the practice of honouring the regiment. Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, presented the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the President’s Bodyguard on May 14, 1957.
Source: IE
