Pig sticking, 1889

Pen and ink with wash by Captain Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 13th Hussars. From album of 25 sketches, 'Original drawings of Pigsticking or Hog Hunting', India, 1889.

Pig sticking, the hunting of wild pig by mounted spearmen, was a popular, exciting and sometimes dangerous pastime of cavalrymen.

According to the 1911 edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Army believed the sport to be good training since 'a startled or angry wild boar is a desperate fighter [therefore] the pig-sticker must possess a good eye, a steady hand, a firm seat, a cool head and a courageous heart'.

In India officers took part in pig-sticking events, the most famous of which was the Kadir Challenge Cup. These drawings are the originals for the first edition of the artist's book.