NAM.1965-04-76-28

Photograph of Queen’s Own Corps of Guides Punjab Frontier Force in khaki field service uniform, 1897. The first Indian unit to adopt khaki uniform was Sir Harry Lumsden’s Corps of Guides, raised in 1846 for service on the frontiers. The Guides were clothed in loose fitting clothing dyed a drab colour known locally as ‘khaki’. ‘Khaki’ is a Persian term for earth-coloured or dusty. During the Indian Mutiny of 1857 a number of regiments followed this example by dying their white summer uniforms khaki. Khaki then ceased to be used in India, except by the Guides, until the Second Afghan War (1878-80) when both khaki and red clothing was worn. The practical advantages of khaki were now well established and by 1880 most regiments serving in the region had adopted dyed khaki uniforms for active service and summer dress. From photograph album of 60 photographs taken by F Bremner, Quetta, June 1897. Associated with Indian Army.