NAM.1981-01-94-22

Photograph: British and Indian Officers of the 77th Moplah Rifles, Bangalore, July 1907. The Moplahs were a Moslem race from the Malabar coast and during the 19th century won themselves a somewhat undeserved reputation as violent troublemakers. An official report had labeled them 'a turbulent and fanatical community'. In 1902 the Moplah Rifles were raised as the Madras Army endeavoured to recruit more ‘warlike’ men into its ranks under the influence of the prevailing ‘martial races’ theory. This photograph was taken shortly before the regiment was disbanded in the aftermath of Lord Kitchener's reforms. From the first of three photograph albums compiled by W Leith Ross, 1904-1907. Associated with the 77th Moplah Rifles, 30th Lancers, School of Musketry Satara and North Staffordshire Regiment and India.