'Martial Races of India', Ranghar of the Indian Army, Eastern Punjab, 1944 (c)

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

'Ranghar' was a term applied by Hindus to any Rajput who had, or whose ancestors had, converted to Islam. They were one of the 'Martial Races', certain Indian peoples thought by the British to possess a natural ability as soldiers. In reality the Martial Race theory was a clever British effort to divide the people of India for their own political ends.

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