Mohamed, a Jemadar of the 5th Bengal Cavalry, 1889

Oil on canvas by Vereker Hamilton (1856-1931), 1889.

Mohamed was said to have been Head Chaprassie (messenger) to Lord Roberts of Kandahar, during the time the latter was Commander in Chief India (1885-1893). As a troop commander, the rank of Jemadar had no exact equivalent in the British Army. He wears the scarlet alkalak or kurta (long coat) with gold lace, scarlet facings and blue pugri (turban) trimmed with gold of the 5th Bengal Cavalry.