The 4th Cavalry was raised in 1838 in the service of the Nawab of Awadh and underwent numerous reorganisations and amalgamations as listed below.

In 1840, the regiment was converted to the service of the East India Company as the 6th Bengal Irregular Cavalry.

The regiment was granted an Honorary Standard for its service in Sind in 1844, wearing the device of a lion 'passant regardant'.

The regiment earned its first battle honour "Afghanistan NWF 1879-80" for service during the Second Anglo-Afghan War.

In late 1920 the 4th Cavalry were sent to Palestine on occupation duties, not returning to Bombay, India until January 1922.