Overall: 13.2cm (5.1in) x 10.8cm (4.25in)
Gouache. Half length portrait of an officer shown seated wearing scarlet coatee with gold lace collar, bullion wings, light infantry cross belt with bugle horn badge, whistle and regimental shoulder belt plate.
The present portrait bears the hallmarks of the Company School of painting, such being the nomenclature of Indian paintings rendered by indigenous artists under the patronage of the officials of the East India Company.
The 31st was one of the oldest and most distinguished infantry regiments in the British Indian Army. Tracings its origins back to 1798, it was granted an honorary colour for notable service in the Second Mahratha War of 1803-05, and bore an additional jemadar on the strength to carry it. The 31st won the battle honours for the storm and capture of Kalat fortress in 1839 during the First Afghan War and three more for services in the Second Sikh War of 1847-48. Contemporaneous with the present portrait, it was granted the distinction of becoming Light Infantry in 1856, ie changing its title from Native Infantry to Light, and adopting the ways of an elite rifle regiment. It was perhaps this special esprit de corps that caused it to remain loyal during the Mutiny of 1857, refusing to desert to the rebel cause with the vast majority of the Bengal Army, nor attack its European officers. Instead it stood firm and protected the Saugor garrison’s treasury and arsenal.
Ivory Submission Reference: QLA8V4H4