Officers and men of the South Persia Rifles, 1917 (c)

Photograph, World War One, Persia (1914-1918), 1917 (c).

The South Persia Rifles were raised in June 1916. Commanded by British officers, this force eventually consisted of around 8,000 Persian, Arab and Baluchi men in regular cavalry, infantry and artillery units alongside irregular tribal levies. It also included an attached force of Indian Army sepoys. The Rifles protected British interests in the region and helped maintain law and order until their disbandment in 1921.

From an album of 27 photographs.