Almost all of the British Indian units present on the Western Front had been removed by 1916, with the exception of the cavalry: The 1st and 2nd Indian Cavalry Division (renamed 4th and 5th Cavalry in late 1916) were present on the Western Front during the Battle of the Somme.

Out of these two divisions, the 2nd Cavalry Division was attached to the British Fourth Army under General Sir Henry Rawlinson that took part in the battle of the Somme. While units of the 2nd Cavalry Division did not participate on July 1 (they were in reserve, ready to exploit a breakthrough), the 20th Deccan Horse and the 34th Poona Horse participated in the Battle of Bazentin Ridge (July 14). The Indian cavalry men suffered light casualties during the engagement, the 20th Deccan Horse suffering 5 killed in action and 50 wounded.

This was the only fighting done by British Indian units during the battle of the Somme, although units came to serve as labourers and various other tasks that didn't involve fighting, something which the Indian cavalry men also joined in due to their inactivity as a fighting unit during long periods.