14th Bengal Lancers [ Murray’s Jat Lancers ]. A Sowar mounted on a camel

The striking and unusual 5½ x 4 ins vintage photographic study shows a Sowar of the 14th Bengal Lancers mounted a camel equipped with a double saddle to allow a second person to ride behind the sowar. The shabraque has a somewhat ‘ home made ‘ look to it. This photograph came form the archive of Lt Col Peter Bairnsfather, Commandant of the 14th when it was stationedat Sialkot, where this photograph was probably taken in the 1890s.        sep15/3

Peter Robert Bairnsfather was Commandant of the 14th Bengal Lancers at the end of the Victorian era and had fought with the regiment in the Jowaki expedition of 1877 and the 2nd Afghan War where he was involved in the battles of Charasia and those around Kabul. Other items connected with Bairnsfather and a few photographs of the 14th Lancers can be found elsewhere on the website by using the SEARCH button and entering Bairnsfather.

Provenance: Family descent until a small archive of his writings and photographs was acquired privately by Bates and Hindmarch from a family member over ten years ago.