FRIDAY FOTO (August 15, 2014)

Hats of India

Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Sean Hurt

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel was in India earlier this month to meet with top officials of the new government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj as well as military leaders.

Among the formal events during the visit — a wreath-laying ceremony at the Amar Jawan Jyoti War Memorial at India Gate in New Delhi, the capital.

Longtime visitors to the 4GWAR blog know your humble editor is fascinated by the traditions and ceremonies of militaries around the world. Needless to say we were taken with the ceremonial uniforms in this photo including the cockscomb-like folds of the headgear worn by the two military policemen carrying the wreath. We’ve looked in vain for what this not-quite-a-turban is called. Anyone who knows, please email us at 4gwarblog@gmail.com or post a comment below.

We do know the officer walking behind Secretary Hagel is wearing the campaign hat of India’s  the Gorkha Regiments — the fierce mountain fighters first recruited by the British from Nepal in colonial days. And in the background a soldier wears a red beret which may, or may not, signify he is a member of the paratrooper regiment. Again, anyone with knowledge, please email or comment.

The only uniquely subcontinental headgear missing from this photo appears to be the colorful turbans of the Sikh and Punjab regiments.

To see more photos of this visit, click here.