'Nabha Contingent Cavalry', Delhi Camp of Exercise, 1886

Photograph by Raja (Lala) Deen Dayal, Indore, Central India, 1886.

These men belonged to the army of one of the 'Native' or 'Princely' States that existed outside the direct control of the British administration. The Nabha force was reorganised in 1889 for the Imperial Service Troops (IST) scheme. The IST had been established to train the troops of Indian princely states up to the standard of the regular Indian Army.

The Delhi Camp of Exercise in 1886 was the largest gathering of troops in peacetime India up to that date. Four divisions, comprising 14 cavalry and 36 infantry regiments took part and 37,000 troops and 25,000 followers were involved. The exercise included sports as well as military manoeuvres and lasted a month.

From an album of 82 photographs.