Mysuru: Dasara is a confluence of cultural and folk art forms culminating with Jambusawari. Cavalry (present day mounted police) has its own place of pride in the final Dasara procession and its presence adds more hue to the attractive procession.
Mysore Cavalry force has its own history, initially termed as HHMMBG (Probably His Highness Mysuru Maharaja’s Mounted Body Guard), its role was limited to oversee the protection of the Wodeyar royal family.
Every soldier of the cavalry squad was a rigorous trainer and a skilled rider. Every year, the cavalry force used to take part in the Dasara procession and the tradition continues even today.
In the early days of Independence, the Wodeyar-led Cavalry forces joined the Mysore State Police to form a new team. Since then it has been employed in maintaining law and order, control mobs, managing traffic, protocol escort and night patrol and many other operations. Mysore’s cavalry squad also plays a major role in the Dasara procession, diligently managing its assigned duties.
The uniform of the cavalry personnel is another added feature that makes the force more attractive. The uniform is characterised by the colour, pattern, design, and a number of small elements that accompany it and the Wodeyars of Mysore, during their reign took a lot of personal care in design and craftsmanship, most of which is visible even today.
The variations are plenty to go along with the times and the nature of duties. They can be categorised as 1) Dress of the winter 2) Dress of the summer 3) Dress of the guard at the palace 4) Quarter Guard watch attire 5) Kala-Peela attire 6) KARP Security attire 7) Horse riding and sportswear.
The dress code can be further classified as Riding Dress for Mounted Parades, Khaki Tunic Dress for Guard Duties and Full Dress and Summer Dress for ceremonial Parades and Escorts.
The speciality of mounted police (cavalry) is the attractive uniform of its personnel which always stands apart.
