NAM.1956-02-27-2

‘The 1st Regiment of Skinner's Horse returning from a General Review’, 1828. Watercolour with gouache on European paper by Ghulam Ali Khan (fl 1817-1855), 1828. Inscribed upper centre ‘The 1st Regiment of Skinner's Horse returning from a General Review’’ and in Nastaliq script lower left ‘The work of Ghulam Ali Khan, painter who created this work in the month of August in the Christian year 1828’ and lower centre ‘Picture of the town and fort of Hansi and the cantonment of the cavalry regiment’ The techniques of Maratha horsmanship, with its daring and rapid manoeuvres and the use of the sword, lance, bow and arrow, and firearm, which Skinner had learnt during the early years of his military career, were employed by his regiment, for whom he compiled a drill manual. This watercolour demonstrates the more formal aspects of training in a cavalry regiment of the later 1820's. 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. The regimental colours carried in the painting bear the motto ‘himmat-i mardan, madad-i khuda’ (‘The strength of man, the help of God’)