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Time to write a [THREAD].
A mostly visual and illustrated thread about the uniforms of the Armies of the British Raj.
Please note that I'm not an expert on the matter.
My interest is mostly aesthetic with a sprinkle of historical curiosity.
![Time to write a [THREAD].A mostly visual and illustrated thread about the uniforms of the Armies of the British Raj.Please note that I'm not an expert on the matter.My interest is mostly aesthetic with a sprinkle of historical curiosity.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmxjdajWMAAdDKL.jpg "Time to write a [THREAD].A mostly visual and illustrated thread about the uniforms of the Armies of the British Raj.Please note that I'm not an expert on the matter.My interest is mostly aesthetic with a sprinkle of historical curiosity.")
![Time to write a [THREAD].A mostly visual and illustrated thread about the uniforms of the Armies of the British Raj.Please note that I'm not an expert on the matter.My interest is mostly aesthetic with a sprinkle of historical curiosity.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Emxjk2qXcAAvUsE.jpg "Time to write a [THREAD].A mostly visual and illustrated thread about the uniforms of the Armies of the British Raj.Please note that I'm not an expert on the matter.My interest is mostly aesthetic with a sprinkle of historical curiosity.")
![Time to write a [THREAD].A mostly visual and illustrated thread about the uniforms of the Armies of the British Raj.Please note that I'm not an expert on the matter.My interest is mostly aesthetic with a sprinkle of historical curiosity.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EmxjpVBXYAI8RWb.jpg "Time to write a [THREAD].A mostly visual and illustrated thread about the uniforms of the Armies of the British Raj.Please note that I'm not an expert on the matter.My interest is mostly aesthetic with a sprinkle of historical curiosity.")
![Time to write a [THREAD].A mostly visual and illustrated thread about the uniforms of the Armies of the British Raj.Please note that I'm not an expert on the matter.My interest is mostly aesthetic with a sprinkle of historical curiosity.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Emxjz85XIAAA_6Q.jpg "Time to write a [THREAD].A mostly visual and illustrated thread about the uniforms of the Armies of the British Raj.Please note that I'm not an expert on the matter.My interest is mostly aesthetic with a sprinkle of historical curiosity.")
A mostly visual and illustrated thread about the uniforms of the Armies of the British Raj.
Please note that I'm not an expert on the matter.
My interest is mostly aesthetic with a sprinkle of historical curiosity.
The story of these armies and their uniforms a the story of colonialism. It's a story of cultural exchange, of violence and oppression, of racism and of brotherhood in arms. It's a complex subject in shades of grey rather than black & white.
Left:
Alexander Gardner (Gordana Khan) (1785–1877) in the service of the Sikh Maharajah Ranjit Singh (colonel of his artillery)
Right:
Tukoji Rao Holkar III, Maharaja of Indore (1890-1978) who had to abdicate after ordering the murder of his concubine's lover
Alexander Gardner (Gordana Khan) (1785–1877) in the service of the Sikh Maharajah Ranjit Singh (colonel of his artillery)
Right:
Tukoji Rao Holkar III, Maharaja of Indore (1890-1978) who had to abdicate after ordering the murder of his concubine's lover
From the start, the East India Company recruited local troops led by European officers. In the early days, mainly throughout the 18th c., these officers went 'native'; adopting the local custom and costume, often marrying indigenous women.
