Both battalions of the Royal Regiment served in India after the China War of 1860. The 1st Battalion went from China to India and returned home in 1870. The 2nd Battalion served there from 1866 to 1880. These sergeants could be from either battalion. They are gathered around the monument to the Indian Mutiny leader, Tantia Topee at Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, Central India. The date of the photo is not known but the tunics they wear are the pattern that was discontinued in 1868. In that year the slashed cuff was changed to a pointed style. Also the colour-sergeant with a Crimean beard, leaning on the monument, has the old style badge on his right arm. In 1868 this single gold lace stripe, with crossed swords, crown and flag was changed to three stripes, two crossed flags and a crown. The other sergeants have three broad white lace stripes on the right arm only.
They all wear the kilmarnock cap which was exchanged for the glengarry around 1868. The blue kilmarnock has a simple brass 1 badge on the front and a slim leather chin-strap that appears to be an optional extra. On the ground are the first pattern white tropical helmets known as Air Chamber sun helmets which dated from 1851 and were replaced in 1874. It has a bulky pagri which could be unwrapped and used to protect the neck.
