Camel sowar, 5th Punjab Cavalry, 1895 (c)

Watercolour drawing by Alfred Crowdy Lovett (1862-1919), 1895 (c).

Camel sowars were used within some Indian Army cavalry regiments to act as messengers or couriers. Camels were regarded as better suited to the task in hot weather, as it could involve sustained periods waiting around in the sun.

The 5th Punjab Cavalry was originally raised in Mooltan in 1849 and remained loyal to the British during the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859). The regiment was employed on the North West Frontier in the 1860s combating raiders. The regiment fought in the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880). With the reform of the Indian Army in 1903 the regiment was renamed the 25th Cavalry, Frontier Force. During World War One (1914-1918) the regiment served on the North West Frontier and in East Africa.