Dawn seeps gently over Raisina Hill, turning the sandstone of Rashtrapati Bhavan to pale gold. The Jaipur Column, rising in the centre of the forecourt, stands like a sentinel as the horses of the President’s Bodyguard (PBG) assemble in formation, setting the stage for the Change of Guard ceremony.

Raised in 1773, the PBG is the senior-most regiment of the Indian Army. It performs ceremonial duties for the President of India, its personnel renowned as expert horsemen, skilled tankmen and trained paratroopers.

Every Saturday morning at 8 am, the grand forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan transforms into a ceremonial arena for the Change of Guard. The event marks the formal handover of duties between the outgoing and incoming contingents of the PBG — a display of discipline, music and drill tha

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