Raised as the Bombay Squadron of Cavalry by Colonel John Murray in 1803, it was later split into two becoming the 1st and 2nd Bombay Light Cavalry. In 1842, the 1st was renamed 1st Regiment of Bombay Light Cavalry (Lancers), a name it held for almost fifty years becoming the 1st (Duke of Connaught's Own) Bombay Lancers in 1890. During the reign of Edward the Seventh in 1903, it became the 31st Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers. In 1923 the 31st amalgamated with the 32nd (formerly the 2nd Bombay Lancer) and were renamed 13th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers. Finally in 1947, following partition, the regiment was allocated to the Pakistan and renamed '13th Lancers'. The Duke of Connaught, then Commander-in-Chief of the Bombay Army, became their colonel-in-chief in 1890. He still held the appointment in the 13th DCO Lancers on his death in January 1942. The 1st Bombay Light Cavalry were participants in the First Afghan War in 1839 where they were at the capture of Ghuznee and in the march to Kabul returning to India in 1840 (Battle Honours Ghuznee and Afghanistan 1839). Their second campaign came eight years later, during the Second Sikh War; they were in action at the storming of the Mooltan where they remained as garrison until the cessation of hostilites (Battle Honours Mooltan and Punjaubs). May 1857 saw the start of the Great Mutiny. The 1st Bombay Lancers were at Nasirabad where they were the only ones to remain loyal. Artillery and infantrymen urged them to go over to them but the Sowars refused and, under their officers, charged in an attempt to take the guns. They failed to do so but succesfully disengaged and took part in the campaign of pacification in Central India (Battle Honour Central India). They continued to serve outside India and participated in the Third Afghan War during 1878-80. Five years later they were in the East - in Burma during 1885-87. Their final campaign during Queen Victoria's reign was the one for which this medal was awarded.
