5th Bengal European Cavalry
| 5th Bengal European Cavalry | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1858-1859 |
| Country | India |
| Allegiance | East India Company (1858) British India (1858-1859) |
| Branch | Bengal Army (1841-1895) British Indian Army (1895-1921) |
| Type | Cavalry |
| Size | Regiment |
| Engagements | Indian rebellion of 1857 |
The 5th Bengal European Cavalry was a cavalry regiment of the East India Company, created in 1858 and disbanded in 1859.
The regiment was raised in Bengal by the East India Company in 1858 as the 5th Bengal European Light Cavalry, for service in the Indian rebellion of 1857; the "European" in the name indicated that it was manned by white soldiers, not Indian sowars. During the Mutiny, a Major of the regiment, Charles John Stanley Gough, received the Victoria Cross.