3rd Bengal Light Cavalry | |
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![]() Flag of the East India Company | |
Active | 1797–1857 |
Country | British India |
Allegiance | East India Company |
Branch | Bengal Army |
Type | Cavalry |
Role | Light cavalry |
Size | Regiment |
Part of | Meerut Division |
Garrison/HQ | Meerut |
Distinguishing colours | Orange facings |
Engagements | Second Anglo-Maratha War First Anglo-Afghan War First Anglo-Sikh War Indian rebellion of 1857 |
Battle honours | Delhi 1803 Leswarree Deig Bhurtpore Affghanistan 1839 Ghuznee 1839 Aliwal Sobraon |
The 3rd Bengal Light Cavalry, also known as the 3rd Bengal Native Cavalry, was a locally recruited regiment of the East India Company's Bengal Army. Raised in 1797, the regiment took part in conflicts throughout British India, serving with distinction in the Second Anglo-Maratha War, the First Anglo-Afghan War and the First Anglo-Sikh War, earning various battle honours.
In April 1857, 85 men of the regiment refused to accept cartridges for their carbines and were tried by court-martial, convicted, and sentenced to up to 10 years' hard labour. After the men were imprisoned, the regiment freed their jailed comrades and headed to Delhi, where their arrival led to the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny. Following the events of the mutiny, all the Bengal Light Cavalry regiments were disbanded.