Recruits of the 25th Cavalry (Frontier Force) at sword practice, Lahore, 1903 (c)

Photograph, India, 1903 (c).

The 25th were raised in 1849 and became part of the famous Punjab Frontier Force in 1865. The sowars (cavalry) are armed with tulwars, a type of curved sword with a blade for cutting. Such weapons were more popular with the Indian Army than the thrusting blade.

From an album of 87 photographs associated with Lieutenant F R Teesdale, 25th Cavalry (Frontier Force), Lahore Cantonment, 1902-1914.