The 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse) is one of the oldest and a highly decorated armoured regiment of the Indian Army.

[9] The regiment was later transferred to the Bengal Army in 1840 and saw service in Scinde and the Baloch frontier in 1844, for which they received the Honorary Standard bearing the device of a lion.

British officers who understood the language, customs and psychology of their men could not be quickly replaced, and the alien environment of the Western Front had some effect on the soldiers.

[18] After taking part in the Occupation of the Jordan Valley, on 20 September 1918 when infantry and cavalry divisions in three corps, enveloped two Ottoman armies in the Judean Hills during the Battle of Megiddo, the 2nd Lancers, commanded by Captain, temporary Major and Acting Lieutenant Colonel, Douglas Davison launched an improvised cavalry charge which broke the Ottoman line defending the Jezreel Valley.

On the same day, the 4th Cavalry Division captured the towns of Afulah and Beisan, along with around 100 German personnel, aircraft, trucks and railway stock.

The regiment was also involved in Lieutenant General Harry Chauvel's pursuit to Damascus along the Pilgrims Road via Deraa.

[29] The regiment served in the Western Desert campaign during the Second World War as part of the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade, 7th Armoured Division.

The brigade was formed into two strong columns, Shercol and Billicol, with the 2nd Royal Lancers supplying some men and equipment to both.

It travelled overland to Sahneh in Persia via Baghdad, coming under the command of 31st Indian Armoured Division.

In May 1944, the regiment moved again to Allahabad, then Lucknow after a short stay then back to the frontier in October to Kohat, relieving the 16th Light Cavalry.

The Partition of India split the regiment, several Muslim troops of the 'A' squadron, opted to join the Pakistan Army.

In 1948, the remaining Muslim soldiers were posted to the 18th King Edward's Own Cavalry, and in turn the 2nd Lancers received a Rajput squadron.

[41] Like all regiments of the Indian Army, the 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse) underwent many name changes during various reorganisations, as listed below - Arracan, Sobraon, Punjaub, Mooltan, Afghanistan 1879–80, Tel-El-Kabir, Egypt 1882, La Bassee 1914, Givenchy 1914, Neuve Chapelle, Festubert 1915, Somme 1916, Morval, Cambrai 1917, France and Flanders 1914–18, Egypt 1915, Meggido, Sharon Damascus, Palestine 1918, Tigris 1916, Mesopotamia 1915–16, Afghanistan 1919, North Africa 1940–43, Point 171,[7][42] Punjab.

[43] The alliance between the Royal Tank Regiment and 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse) was promulgated in Defence Council Instruction (Army) T 52 of 1973.

[7] General Maharaj Shri Rajendrasinhji Jadeja, DSO was the first Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

On 1 July 1993, General Bipin Chandra Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, ADC became the second officer from the regiment to become the COAS.

[47] Following the amalgamation of the successor units, the 2nd Lancers insignia combined elements from both units – it consisted of a central voided lion surrounded by circular band with HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE, all superimposed on four crossed lances with the crown above the band.

[48] Post independence, the insignia consists of a lion passant reguardant surrounded by a belt inside which is the embossed inscription: SECOND LANCERS (G.H.

[10] Second Lancers (Gardener's Horse) is the only unit in the Indian Army which is authorised to bear its unique insignia of the Lion on all its vehicles during peace time.