How The Moustache Won An Empire

[Greater-Punjab]

How the moustache won an empire

How the moustache won an empire And the moustache became imperative because it was seen as a potent symbol of virility. As one contemporary noted, e]Indians looked upon "the bare faces of the English with amazement and contempt", regarding as na-mard (unmanly) countenances emasculated by the razor.

British soldiers, in particular, could not afford to appear less masculine and aggressive than their Indian comrades in the Army.

They had to assert the supremacy of the imperial race.

So began what became known as "the moustache movement".

It scored an early victory in 1831 when the 16th Lancers hailed with delight an order permitting them to wear moustaches. But the battle for this war-like appendage was far from won.