President's Bodyguard (India) - Standards, Guidons & Banners

Standards, Guidons & Banners

In 1779, the East India Company started issuing Standards to Indian Cavalry regiments. In 1800, GGBG was presented with its first Standard by Marquess Wellesley at the conclusion of his Review of the Body Guard. In 1815, the Countess of Moira & London presented a standard to the newly raised squadron. Two more Standards were presented to the newly raised squadrons of the Body Guards in 1844, when the strength of the regiment was highest. Standards were abolished in regiments of Indian Cavalry in 1864 & in 1931, a Guidon was presented to the Body Guards, which was last carried on escorts in 1936.

Two Silver state Trumpets with Banners were presented to the Body Guards by Lord Reading in 1923 on the 150th anniversary of the raising of the unit. One banner represented Star of India with the Battle Honors of the regiment and the other banner carried Coat-of-Arms of the viceroy. Each Successive Viceroy presented a banner to the Body Guard on assuming office, banners of past viceroy's being kept in the custody of the regiment. The practice is in place till date & every president present a silver trumpet to the regiment – the only difference being replacement of the coat-of-arms of Viceroy with the monogram of the President.

First trumpet with banner by the President of Republic of India was presented by Rajender Prasad on 14 May 1957. It had maroon background, emblem and crest in gold thread. The design incorporated the initials of Rajender Prasad in Devnagri script in the center & four emblems in gold in all four corners of the banner, from the Personal Standard of the President. The Personal Standard of the then President, Rajender Prasad was presented to the regiment on 18 Jan 1958 by the President himself. In Nov 1958, President Rajender Prasad presented new Regimental Standard to the PBG, the previous Regimental Standard had been laid up after India became republic. Old Regimental Standard still rests in the Regiment's Officer's mess.

When the 2nd President Radha Krishnan assumed office, he presented his banner to the PBG on 21 Oct 1962. His banner had grey background and emblem and crest in gold thread. The design incorporated his initials in Devnagri script in the center & four emblems in gold in four corners, from the Personal flag of the President. New President's Standard of the Body Guard and the Regimental Standard were awarded by the President Radha Krishnan on 11 Nov 1963. The Regimental Standard is dark blue in colour with Regimental crest in the center surrounded by the lotus flowers and Ashoka leaves. Five scrolls on either side of the crest are for the Battle Honours & Standard bears the motto “Bharat Mata ki Jai”.