I wonder where and when the Brits finally decided it was acceptable to finally wear short pants. India?

It is not acceptable anywhere at any time when the wearer is male and more than six years of age.

Corbett (who I think had a little Capstick in him) talks about wearing shorts.

If you are a proper Bush Waller, or working in town you wear shorts and knee length stockings!

If you ride a horse you wear longs.

Standard Civil Service Dress through out the british empire was a Kharki bush jacket, Long shorts that just about reached the knees and long sand or Khaki coloured socks with different coloured tops denoting the different branches of the service. You still see it today to a very limmited extent in Africa. (most Black Africans would much rather wear longs than shorts and so the trend has changed)

Police wear stockings with Blue tops, Prisons and wildlife/game department wear Green, Vet department/Animal Health/lands Inspectors wear brown. Native Commissioners men wear red... etc

Nickudu,

Thanks again for a superb post. The old clubs in India are wonderful places to spend time in even now and you still have old timers who hunted in the old days around, happy to talk about their experiences and always ready to welcome new friends into their circles.

I am a member at one of the oldest clubs and have affiliate memberships at several others in India and outside, something that I prefer because I'd much rather stay at a 150+ year old beautiful place when I travel instead of at a considerably more expensive and far less gracious hotel which doesn't even offer food and drinks that are half as good.

I have heard relatives who live in Africa tell me that there are some splendid clubs there as well like the Muthaiga Club in Nairobi and I hope that I shall be able to write an article about British clubs outside Britain someday. It would be a fascinating history for many to enjoy.

Good hunting and thanks again for the splendid post!

Mehul, writing of the famous clubs sounds like a fascinating idea. I look forward to it.

Anybody remember the old Groucho Marx line about clubs?

"I wouldn't want to join any club that would accept me as a member."

Never had that problem turning down so many offers myself.