General Wheeler was a well regarded soldier with a long history of successful fighting in the decades preceding the Mutiny. He was regarded as being a safe pair of hands in a recognisedly precarious situation. This painting shows him enjoying a Hookah. In fact, General Wheeler was the more old school leader. He had actually married a Eurasian lady in what could have been a career damaging move. However, he kept his private life in the background but consequently was probably more in touch with Indian sensibilities than most British officers at this time.
