Sikh and British Officers of Hodson's Horse, 1858

Photograph by Felice Beato (1825-1907), Indian Mutiny (1857-1859), 1858.

This picture shows members of Hodson's Horse, a body of loyal Indian horsemen formed during the Indian Mutiny by Lieutenant William Hodson. Their distinctive uniforms included scarlet turbans and shoulder sashes over beige tunics. Beato probably took this photograph shortly after the final capture of Lucknow in March 1858. Hodson was killed during the assault. There is some confusion over the identity of the two British officers, but it seems most likely to be Lieutenant Clifford Henry Mecham (standing) and Assistant Surgeon Thomas Anderson (sitting). Anderson cared for Hodson after he was wounded and was with him when he died on 11 March 1858.