3-077-974 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Regimental sports of 21st Hussars at Bangalore, in India, from sketches by Granville B. Baker, 1890. The British Army at play. '1. Loyd Lindsay Skittles - officers...had to ride over a given course, and to leap two hurdles; but midway between...a stand was placed, on which four bottles were hung, and it was the endeavour of the competitors, riding in teams of four, dismounting, as they do to fire for the Loyd-Lindsay prize, to break the bottles by throwing stones, at a distance of six yards. 2. Wrestling on Horseback and Cockade Fight. 3 Band Race - the starter, who named the melody to be played, allowing the musicians (each of whom had to play a wind instrument) to play two clear bars before giving the signal for the start. Notwithstanding this advantageous commencement, the weak "tootle" of the piccolo was all that could be heard when the tape was reached. 4. Madras Lancer. 5. Round the Mast with Ropes on Horseback. 6. Horse, getting out of hand, charging the Band. 7. Female Grass-cutters' Race - in which native women only were allowed to compete...Each woman had to carry her daily load of 40 lb. of grass on her head, and the way in which they managed to balance their loads, while going at eight miles an hour, was matter for wonderment'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.