Cap badge, Bengal Bodyguard, 1912-1947

Brass badge with unit monogram, 'BBG' at the intersection of crossed lances, surmounted by a King's Crown, above a scroll bearing the title, 'Bengal'.

Warren Hastings, Governor General of Bengal, raised a Bodyguard of Indian cavalry in 1773. Subsequently, as well as the Governor General's or Viceroy's Bodyguard, each of the three main presidencies (Bombay, Madras and Bengal) had their own body guard units. The Governor's Bodyguard, Bengal was the youngest of the three units, formed in 1912. It was disbanded in 1947.

From the Field Marshal Sir John Chapple Indian Army Collection.