A FEAST of FASCINATION Henry Dallal Has Been in India Photographing the 6Lst Cavalry, Still a Major Force in Polo

Regimental group, with horse PHOTOS HENRY DALLAL A FEAST OF FASCINATION Henry Dallal has been in India photographing the 6lst Cavalry, still a major force in polo he sheer number of horses, arranged for the Chief of Army Staff’s with their mounted sol- Conclave. After all, it would be a good diers, regally splendid, opportunity for me to have an insight Tgolden turbans and cummerbands, res- into the fascinating world of the 61st onated an excellence and a discipline Cavalry, following the publication of nurtured ever since the heyday of the Pageantry and Performance, an intimate British Raj. They welcomed me on my study into Britain’s Household Cavalry, first visit to the 6lst Cavalry headquarters providing a feast and fascination to feed in Jaipur, home to one of the last active my passion for photography, horses and mounted regiments in the world. different cultures. I was very happy to accept The armada of nearly three hundred Commanding Officer Colonel Pinka disciplined four-legged soldiers, with Virk’s generous invitation to witness one their mounted professionals, marched of the largest cavalry reviews in decades, past, images of them on active service On parade Colonel Pinka Virk A study in affection 136 137 Through the forest Regimental trumpeter Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw takes the salute Bucking Walking away, early morning A show case for the Army 61st Cavalry buckle flashing through my mind. They are one team, which regularly visits Europe and Spending time in barracks with the early nineteenth century. grand old state regiments of horse caval- Smithsonian Institute and Naples Museum of the last few remaining armies in the the USA. soldiers and horses was a colourful experi- During the high noon of the British ry, merging them into the 61st. of Art, and he was invited to project images world that still use horses on active mili- The Indian Army team last played ence for me. I was most impressed with Raj, the Indian Cavalry, like many other The regiment has kept alive one of from his book, Pageantry and Performance, tary duty patrolling India’s borders. Most the British Army at Guards, in front of the discipline and the efficient speed at British-Indian institutions, was a happy the most colourful and inspirational tra- the Household Cavalry in a Celebration of officers engage in other theatres, includ- the Queen, in 1996 and it is hoped that which three hundred horses were pre- amalgamation of eastern and western sys- ditions of the Indian Army in fast-chang- Pictures, as a son et lumiere on the walls ing the Siachen glacier, highest battle- a return game can be arranged soon. pared, and then with their mounted sol- tems and values. Famously resilient ing times. It is a show case of the army within Windsor Castle. He was awarded grounds in the world at 20,000ft within They also took part in the Queen’s diers marched off with precision through throughout the decades, the 61st Cavalry and any country would be proud to have Best View of Britain at 6am by BBC Radio the Himalayas. Golden Jubilee celebrations, just a year the streets of Delhi onto the parade was formed as an amalgamation of the such a professional and magnificent set- 4/Today programme, and the Royal Mail is All are keen horsemen. The cap- before celebrating their own golden ground, with minimum shouts and orders. different private armies from the princely up. using images from his book in a mint stamp tains are like kings on horses when it jubilee. It seemed every man and horse knew states after independence, principally in collector’s pack, to be released in June to comes to polo, eventing and other eques- They are also invited annually to exactly what to do and when to do it, to Rajasthan. commemorate Trooping the Colour. With trian sports. The 61st Cavalry polo team play polo in Leh, reverting to an earlier orchestrate a beautiful display. They have Prime Minister Jahawarlal Nehru Henry Dallal, a keen horseman, has created Major General Sir Evelyn Webb Carter, he predominates in most of the tournaments version of the game where fewer rules kept religiously the high standards and was inspired to retain a mounted cavalry a vast collection of images depicting the spir- has just returned from retracing the footsteps played during the Indian season, and apply and it is played in much higher traditions passed down over the years. I unit within the Indian Army, and it of British pageantry. His work has been of Lawrence of Arabia, on horseback they also participate in the Indian Army altitudes in the Himalaya foothills. even spotted bugles dating back to the brought together the remnants of the exhibited in venues including the through Jordan. 138 139.

Load more