Brevet Major William Stephen Raikes Hodson (1821–1858), known widely as “Hodson of Hodson’s Horse,” remains one of the most debated figures of the East India Company’s military establishment. Born at Maisemore Court, near Gloucester, he was the third son of Rev. Dr. George Hodson, Archdeacon of Stafford. After his formative education at Rugby School, he joined Trinity College, Cambridge, where his academic training combined with strong physical aptitude shaped the qualities that later defined his military persona.
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| Maj. William Hodson .kiddle.co |
Above image: Major. William Hodson of East India Company's military. His military services were highly controversial bordering on brute forces to quell the native rebels against freedom. In te last phase of 1857 rebellion he became a killer of three last heir of Last Mogul king Bhadur Shah Zafar near the Khooni Gate, Delhi No warning. He shot the unarmed youngsters dead point blank after stripping off their dress and jewels. The king in poor health, was exiled to Buma (Myanmar) where he died in seclusion. For his merciless act the British Queen bestowed on his family a special award......
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| Begum Kothi, Lucknow, en.wikipedia.org |
Above image In Begum Kothi, Lucknow, Uttar UP, he was fatally wounded and later died. He was buried in the garden of La Martiniere, Lucknow. His grave is still located within the grounds of LMartiniere College............
In 1844, Hodson sailed to India and joined the 2nd Bengal Grenadiers. His intelligence, horsemanship, and keen observational skills gained him recognition during the First Anglo-Sikh War, where he proved his value in challenging frontier conditions. Sir Henry Lawrence soon appointed him to the newly raised Corps of Guides—a mixed unit of cavalry and infantry intended to serve as scouts, intelligence gatherers, and rapid-response troops along the volatile northwestern frontier.
It was here that Hodson introduced one of the most enduring innovations in military attire. Realizing that traditional bright European uniforms made soldiers conspicuous targets in India’s dusty landscape, he proposed a light earth-toned “drab” dress, later called khaki (from the Persian/Urdu word meaning “dust-colored”). The fabric was lighter, more practical, and naturally blended into the arid surroundings of the frontier. With assistance from his brother Rev. George H. Hodson in England, he procured drab cloth for 900 men along with improved carbines, giving the Guides a modern, efficient appearance.
Hodson’s innovation marked the first systematic adoption of khaki by a military regiment, laying the foundation for modern camouflage uniforms used worldwide today. Its acceptance spread rapidly, especially after British forces recognized its strategic value during later frontier campaigns. By the late 19th century, khaki became standard across the British Empire.
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| Maj William Stephen Hodson. (Kevin Shepherd) Bibliography |
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