‘The 1st Regiment of Skinner's Horse returning from a General Review’, 1828 (w/c)

‘The 1st Regiment of Skinner's Horse returning from a General Review’, 1828. Watercolour on European paper, by Ghulam Ali Khan, Delhi, 1828. James Skinner’s cavalry regiment was famous for its horsemanship and skill with weapons, which can be seen being demonstrated here. The manoeuvres of the cavalry in the left foreground are based on the illustrations to Skinner’s own personal manual of cavalry manoeuvres. The Persian inscriptions on the painting explain what is represented. It shows the town of Hansi, Haryana and the cantonment of the cavalry, together with a ‘Likeness of Colonel James Skinner Sahib Bahadur and Mr William Fraser Sahib Bahadur’ (his second-in-command) riding out at the head of the regiment. The Indian officers and other ranks wear the famous yellow Mughal style kurta, reminiscent of the saffron dress of Rajput soldiers, while the British officers wear typical British light cavalry uniform.