Mexican Soldiers
http://digitalcollections.smu.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/mex/id/340/rec/2
In this picture there are nine Mexican soldiers. All of them have some sort of weapon (most likely a rifle). However they are all dressed a little different. The only main similarity in their outfit is the hat that eighth out of the nine are wearing. The soldiers seem to be ready for battle. The picture was taken in 1912 in Mexico. It is part of the collection of Walter H. Horne photographs.
Based on these observations, I deduct that these men are getting ready to fight. They are native Mexicans coming from different casts but all born in Mexican grounds. They do not look very well trained, if trained at all, but they do look confident. Finally, this is probably located somewhere with high altitude since the men are covered with warm clothes.
Some of the questions one might have when looking at this picture might be: Why are these men posing for a picture when there is a battle about to take place? Is there really going to be a battle or did the photographer ask them to dress up? What battle, if there was one, was this? Where exactly and when exactly was this picture taken?
Indian Sepoy
http://digitalcollections.smu.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/eaa/id/677/rec/56
In this picture there are four men from India. These men are Indian soldiers that are part of the British army. They are also know as Sepoy. These men have different weapons and rifles. They also have uniforms and other things like water jugs, some bags to keep things, and many pockets. They are in a wide open area In Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. The year is somewhere between 1855 and 1859.
Based on these observations, I can deduce that these soldiers are training with the British army. Also, I can probably deduce that these men are all either Muslims or all Hindus since they look like they are very close. At that time the British did not want these two groups of people to become friends and they kept them apart. Also, i can deduce that these men are very well trained and organized unlike the Mexican soldiers. This is most likely because they work directly for the British army and the British army is very well organized and trained.
One might ask some of the following questions when looking at this picture: Are these soldiers really part of the British army or are have thy part of the rebellion of 1857? Are these soldiers all of the same casts system? What was the exact year of this picture? Why was this picture taken during the activities of these men? Are the men posing for the picture or are they following an army routine?