F H Smith was appointed to raise the 2nd Regiment of Maharatta Horse in 1858 and together with one other British officer, Hugh Gough VC, commanded the unit which initially was squadron strength. He commanded it for 18 years, bringing the regiment to a fine state of efficiency. The portrait shows him in a scarlet tunic with gold cords across his chest. The blue collar has field officer gold lace and a star and crown to show his rank of colonel which he reached before retiring in 1876.
