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Colonel James Skinner (1778–1841), CB, 1st Regiment of Local Horse

Image credit: National Army Museum

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Lieutenant-Colonel James Skinner (1778–1841) was the son of a Scottish officer of the Bengal Army and his Rajput mistress. His military career started in the Maratha Army. When war broke out between the British and the Marathas he had to leave their service because he was half-British. After the Marathas were defeated he became commander of 800 cavalry who joined the British.

Skinner was interested in Indian culture and built a mosque and a Hindu temple as well as a church in Delhi. He was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1826, but he always felt that his mixed race prevented him from achieving higher rewards for his service.

Skinner raised two cavalry units for the British, later known as 1st and 2nd Skinner's Horse. Nicknamed ‘The Yellow Boys’ for their flamboyant saffron-coloured uniforms, they were famous for their horsemanship and skill at arms.

National Army Museum

London

Title

Colonel James Skinner (1778–1841), CB, 1st Regiment of Local Horse

Date

c.1836

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 79.4 x W 70.2 cm

Accession number

NAM. 1956-02-622

Acquisition method

gift from Brigadier A. D. Magnay on behalf of the officers of Skinner’s Horse, 1956

Work type

Painting

Signature/marks description

Signed in Urdu ‘Ghulam Husayn Khan mussavar [painter]’

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National Army Museum

Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London, Greater London SW3 4HT England

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