Sola Topi / Pith Helmet North India 1900-1917

[Bluhm1995]

Hi everyone,

 

I am currently researching on a novel that features the symbol of the 'sola topi.' I am analyzing a scene that references a 'solar topee, khaki cloth-cover with the quilt-like pattern' worn by a British officer in the 38th Dogras in North Western India. Based on contextual clues, I believe the hat dates from somewhere between 1900 and 1917.

I came across a picture online of a hat displayed at the National Army Museum. I am curious to know if you think the the description matches - more or less - the artifact.

 

Thank you for your help!

Best wishes from Berlin!!

[Farkas]

Hi Bluhm,

This is the background…

militarysunhelmets.com

”This hat would appear to be a variant of the Cawnpore Tent Club Hat made so popular by the visit of the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, to India in 1875/6 and, indeed, it is quite difficult to say which is which from an external view only, although the more expensive Cawnpores were distinguished by their quilted cover. Both hats were made entirely of sola pith – from the flowering plant Aeschynomene asper or other species of the Fabaceae family – and the corruption of sola to solar is easy to understand as all such hats/helmets were so often called “sun helmets.”

The example in your picture is missing it’s two straps…

 

 

and it has the domed vent fitted to the top 👇 

 

Bit clearer in the picture of a ‘plain’ example below 👇 

I have a rather knackered Victorian/Edwardian unquilted one. At that point, which tallies with your stories period, it had the 2 straps, the one over the top goes under a small retainer as below 👇 and in the first picture above. 
The domed vent fitted to the top came along a little later… (I’d guess)) that was when the hat was accepted as regulation not worn unofficially.

 

i hope this helps 👍

 

cheers 

tony 🍻