3-077-779 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Pathan sword-dance before Prince Albert Victor at the cavalry camp, Muridki, India, 1890. 'The Pathans are mountaineers of the Suliman ranges on the north-west frontier of India, a warlike race, supplying many recruits to regiments of irregular cavalry in the Punjaub. When Prince Albert Victor of Wales, on Jan. 29, was the guest of the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, General Sir Frederick Roberts, in the Cavalry Camp at Muridki, his Royal Highness witnessed an exhibition of the wild sword-dance which these men are fond of performing at night, by the light of a fire burning on the ground. They are barefooted and stripped to the waist, and have more a savage than a soldierly aspect. Our Illustration is from a sketch by Lieutenant E. Molyneux, of the 3rd Dragoon Guards, who formed the escort'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.