The exact provenance of this photograph is not known.
However, the bandsmen are wearing Broderick caps with
King’s Royal Rifle Corps cap badges. There is also a
reference to Ranikhet chalked on the box in the
foreground of the photograph.
Ranikhet is situated 200 miles north-west of Delhi in
the foothills of the Himalayas. It was ‘discovered’ by
Lord Mayo in 1869 and developed as a hill station for
Imperial troops during the hot weather on the plains of
India.
Since the Broderick cap was only worn during the first
decade of the 20th century, the probability is that the
bandsmen are from the 2nd Battalion, The King’s Royal
Rifle Corps, which was stationed in India between 1901
and 1909.
Judging from the photograph, the bandsmen are clearly
enjoying themselves participating in some form of
theatrical entertainment at Ranikhet.
If anyone has a better explanation or can provide more
information, please let the Museum Curator know.
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