Cavalry today is the Cinderella of the army but like Cinderella when it puts on its silver slippers there is none to vie with its gorgeous beauty and colourful pageantry. There is a certain reminiscent look in the eyes of a Cavalry Officer. He has known better days when prancing chargers and dashing Cavaliers with sharp swords and glittering silver were cynosure of all eyes.

Now when armies have been mechanised Horse Cavalry is merely a ceremonial arm kept in repair for pageantry and impressive ceremonial parades. Such a fate is shared by the Mysore Lancers who have retired into a quiet yet impressive corner of Bangalore where their officers and men hold their own in their regimental centre located amidst emerald field framed in a setting of distant hills covered in a dream mist. But there are no regrets: "We know that we are absolute yet given an option we will not change over’’ said an officer of the Mysore Lancers.

It is the association with horses who became more than companions and an undying love for riding and the open air which produces a nostalgia. There are many in the Mysore Lancers who have voluntarily cut short their holidays to come back to their horses and their early morning ride. There are not a few who have had tears rolling down their cheeks when their horses have been put to sleep or discarded because of old age and infirmity.

Like the Phoenix, the Mysore Lancers rose out of the ashes of the army of Tippu Sultan after the capture of Srirangapatam. In 1799 the "Silladar Horse" of Mysore was raised at Bangalore by Dewan Poornaiah. As the erstwhile rulers of Indian States were required to prefer manpower for the defence of the Indian Empire the "Silladar Horse" was reorganized as the Imperial Service Troops in 1892, with "Mysore Lancers" being one of the units. In September 1914 the "Mysore Lancers’ were mobilized for war and joining the Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade sailed for Egypt on November 1, the same year.

During World War I the Mysore Lancers played a leading role in pursuing Turkish forces after their unsuccessful attack on the Suez Canal in February 1915. They were responsible for the defence of the breach in the British line at Gaza in September 1917. The Lancers distinguished themselves in the capture of Gaza and were acclaimed far and wide for their daring charges against the enemy across the Jordan in July 1918. In the final defeat of the Turkish army in September 1918 the Mysore Lancers were once again conspicuous notably in the capture of Haifa, Homs, Alleppo and Maritan.

After the first world war the Mysore Lancers were again recognized to form part of the Indian State Forces with which they remained till the integration of the country after Independence and the amalgamation of the State Forces with the Indian Army.

Though as a unit the Mysore Lancers did not serve in World War II yet they provided officers and men who formed the nucleus of the 51st Mysore Government Transport Company, which served with credit in the PAI Forces in Middle East and Italy, especially distinguishing themselves in the "Aides to Russia". One of the officers of the Mysore Lancers had the honour of being decorated by the Russian Army.

Officers and men of Mysore Lancers were also sent to serve in the Indian Signals where they rendered good account of themselves in the North West Frontier, Burma, Middle East and Italy. Finally the Mysore Lancers lent their support in the "Police Action" in Hyderabad in the latter part of 1948, adding one more bright chapter to their illustrious history of service and sacrifice which spreads over a century and a half. In a manner characteristic of the former feudal days the line of Mysore Lancers has been unbroken. When fathers stepped out sons took their places maintaining a certain continuity which has helped in jealously guarding the traditions of the Lancers. Not very surprising is the feeling of those who look back with pride to generations of service. The love for horses, the pride of a colourful uniform and the thrill of the bugle call have mixed with their blood.