The History of Lumsden's Horse

This volume offers a vivid chronicle of an extraordinary cavalry regiment assembled in British India for service in South Africa at the turn of the twentieth century. It traces how a committee in Calcutta turned the idea of an Indian volunteer contingent into a fully equipped mounted force, detailing the fundraising, organization, and outfitting that made the corps possible. The narrative situates the unit within the larger imperial effort, showing how both British and native communities rallied to support the campaign.

Beyond the administrative record, the book teems with personal recollections, sketches, and photographs that bring the soldiers’ experiences to life. Readers follow the journey from the bustling ports of Calcutta, across the seas, and onto the veldt, where the men first encountered the harsh realities of war. Rich maps and illustrated plates complement the text, giving a clear sense of the terrain and the daring actions that defined the regiment’s early engagements.