'Martial Races of India': Pathan of the Indian Army, North West Frontier Province and Tribal Territory, 1944 (c)

Photograph, World War Two, India, 1944 (c).

'Martial Race' was a designation created by officials of British India. The British had faced fierce resistance in some regions of India while they easily conquered other areas. This led them to look closely at some of the South Asian races. The British described these races as naturally warlike and aggressive in battle, and possessive of qualities like courage, loyalty, self sufficiency and physical strength.

From a collection of photographs taken to illustrate the races recruited into the Indian Army and the geographical areas in which they originated.