White Uniforms, India 1846 - 55

The 10th Hussars were posted to India in 1846, the first time that they had served in a hot climate. They were stationed at Kirkee but did not receive their horses until April 1847. There is very little pictorial information on the uniform worn in India, apart from 3 prints of the 10th in 1854 by Fairlie, but during the hot summer months they were issued with white shell jackets and white trousers made of cotton material, called American Drill. Instead of the fur busby they had shakos based on the shape of the French Kepi at the time. This had a white quilted cover which had a ‘curtain hanging down, and sufficiently forward to protect the temples as well as the back of the head and neck.’ This illustration by Orlando Norie appeared in Liddell’s history of the 10th but does not show the proper shape of the shako or the curtain. The central figure is an officer with his undress horse furniture, consisting of a full leopard skin, and dress pouch-belt. The standing figure is a sergeant who appears to have his regimental arm badge of the PoW Feathers below the stripes. The mounted figure on the left is a private armed with a carbine, pistol and sword.

Regimental Details | Uniforms