3rd REGIMENT OF MADRAS LIGHT CAVALRY – BRITISH OFFICER – 1890

The regiment was raised in 1784 as 2nd Regiment of Madras Native Cavalry. The battle honours before 1903: Mysore, Seringapatam, Mahidapore and Pezières (1917). The diferent composition before 1901 : Tamils, Rajputs and Punjabi Dogras The Madras Light Cavalry was distinguished by the light blue of their uniforms and it remained unchanged until the regiment became part of the new Indian Army after the Independence.

The tunic of British officers in  full dress uniform according to the regulations of 1886, is cut and laced in the ususal Husar style, colour being French grey with collar and cuffs of buf and all lace silver. The sabretache, worn only by British officers, made of purple leather. The purple velvet face was edged by silver lace. There was embroidered double’VR’ in the centre surmounted by an Imperial crown both in gold with a star at the bottom under wich  came the regimental badge and honorary distinctions of regimental pattern. On becoming lancers, the full dress for British officers was changed to that Lancer pettern, with de same colour of collar and cuffs.

British officers serving in India in the 19th century acquired leopard skins and adapted them for military purposes. It became customary for officers of hussars (light cavalry) to sit on a decorative leopard-skin flounce which was placed over the saddle.