Subadar-Major c1901

The officer in this photo by Scottish photographer Frederick Bremner is named as Subadar-Major Sheikh Mustafa of the 2nd Madras Lancers. It is reproduced from a book of Indian photos, Types of the Indian Army. The uniform he wears is distinctive because of the French Grey alkaluk, a knee length garment with silver lace and embroidery. The brown leather Sam Browne belt has two shoulder straps which cross over at the back. His sword frog only carries the sword when he is on dismounted duty. When mounted it is attached to the saddle. His breeches are a darker shade of blue with silver stripes. The pagri has dark blue showing on the left side of his head and stripes of gold and light blue on the right side.
We are grateful to Brigadier Ali Adil Mahmood VSM who commanded the 16th Light Cavalry from 2003 to 2005. He contacted us to say that the Subadar-Major in the photo is his great grandfather. One aspect of the photo is puzzling. The caption in the book merely states that the officer is a Subadar-Major and that he is a Madrasi Musulman of the Carnatic. But this rank is usually only used in the infantry. The equivalent in the cavalry is Rissaldar Major. All the other Indian cavalry officers in the book are either Risaldars, Ressaidars (the spelling varies) or Jemadars. There are no dates in the book so c1901 is conjecture based on the fact that the photo is titled 2nd Madras Lancers. This title was adopted in 1901 and lasted until 1903 when they became the 27th Light Cavalry. From 1886 to 1901 the regiment was titled 2nd Regiment of Madras Lancers.

The photographer Frederick Bremner photographed these Indian cavalry NCOs at the turn of the century. Naik (the man on the left) was the Indian rank of corporal and Havildar was the Indian rank of sergeant. These ranks are normally used in the Indian infantry. Cavalry ranks were Daffadar for sergeant, and Lance-Daffadar for Corporal. The two men wear light blue alkulaks with darker blue breeches that have white stripes. The blue pagris are striped in gold or yellow and blue. The brown leather equipment is distinctive and allows for quick access to ammunition for their carbines. They are also armed with sword and lance.
If you like I can send some details to set up a page for the 27th Light Cavalry (2nd Madra Lancers) which we can hopefully add to when Brigadier Mahmood is available to help us.Then these two pictures can go in either Uniforms or Soldiers.

Regimental Details