The 3rd Battalion, 15th Punjab Regiment was based in Hong Kong for most of 1930. The battalion left Hong Kong on 20th November 1930 and arrived in Calcutta on 4th December 1930 to be transferred to Saugor in central British India. I'm not sure what Punjabi Path is but if they built it in 1930, it would be in Hong Kong.
I would expect them to have been based at Whitfield Barracks so the Punjabi Path would be more likely in Kowloon/New Territories than in Hong Kong island.
I think the captioned regiment may have consisted of followers of the Islamic faith. I have no evidence to indicate where the sign is located but given the year 1930, the path may be related to the Ho Man Tin Muslim Cemetery or the new Mohammedan Cemetery (Kowloon Cemetery No. 3) on or near Ho Man Tin Hill. Further information here
The Muslim Cemetery was nearby the Orient Tobacco Manufactory. That may explain the presence of the dogs in the photo.
Presumably Sikhs, rather than Muslims. Interesting that they were there for such a short time. Where was their Path leading to? Was Whitfield Barracks where Kowloon Park is now?
Yes, Whitfield barracks was where Kowloon Park is now.
The same two dogs out hiking with your mum and grandmother in the New Territories here. Could be the same trip or unrelated but the two family dogs certainly had lots to explore!
They were keen walkers, and living on "Kowloon side", probably saw areas less known to many expats. They moved to Taipo later in the 30's (photos to follow) which I'm guessing was unusual.
The 3/15th did consist of Punjabi Muslims, Sikhs and Jats. The regimental badge had an Islamic crescent entwined with a Sikh quoit, surrounded by a wreath and surmounted by a Tudor crown with a scroll below which read “15th Punjab Regiment”.
So moddsey’s suggestion is a good one - there is a means, motive and opportunity! The height and shape of the marker is very reminiscent of a typical Islamic headstone as well. I can’t imagine them traipsing off to the NT to build some random path. It’s interesting and worth investigating further - a single photograph has captured a social/military activity seemingly lost to history.
Comments
The 3rd Battalion, 15th…
The 3rd Battalion, 15th Punjab Regiment was based in Hong Kong for most of 1930. The battalion left Hong Kong on 20th November 1930 and arrived in Calcutta on 4th December 1930 to be transferred to Saugor in central British India. I'm not sure what Punjabi Path is but if they built it in 1930, it would be in Hong Kong.
I would expect them to have been based at Whitfield Barracks so the Punjabi Path would be more likely in Kowloon/New Territories than in Hong Kong island.
Re: 3rd Battalion, 15th Punjab Regiment
Interesting sign. Just airing my thoughts.
I think the captioned regiment may have consisted of followers of the Islamic faith. I have no evidence to indicate where the sign is located but given the year 1930, the path may be related to the Ho Man Tin Muslim Cemetery or the new Mohammedan Cemetery (Kowloon Cemetery No. 3) on or near Ho Man Tin Hill. Further information here
The Muslim Cemetery was nearby the Orient Tobacco Manufactory. That may explain the presence of the dogs in the photo.
Re: 3rd Battalion, 15th Punjab Regiment
Presumably Sikhs, rather than Muslims. Interesting that they were there for such a short time. Where was their Path leading to? Was Whitfield Barracks where Kowloon Park is now?
E
Yes, Whitfield barracks was where Kowloon Park is now.
The same two dogs out hiking with your mum and grandmother in the New Territories here. Could be the same trip or unrelated but the two family dogs certainly had lots to explore!
Punjabi Path
They were keen walkers, and living on "Kowloon side", probably saw areas less known to many expats. They moved to Taipo later in the 30's (photos to follow) which I'm guessing was unusual.
The 3/15th did consist of…
The 3/15th did consist of Punjabi Muslims, Sikhs and Jats. The regimental badge had an Islamic crescent entwined with a Sikh quoit, surrounded by a wreath and surmounted by a Tudor crown with a scroll below which read “15th Punjab Regiment”.
So moddsey’s suggestion is a good one - there is a means, motive and opportunity! The height and shape of the marker is very reminiscent of a typical Islamic headstone as well. I can’t imagine them traipsing off to the NT to build some random path. It’s interesting and worth investigating further - a single photograph has captured a social/military activity seemingly lost to history.
Re: 15th Punjab Regiment
Lost the source now but I may have read the 15th Regiment after Partition reverted to Pakistan. Thanks for the follow-up.
Punjabi Path
Just a thought….anything to do with Jat’s Incline in Kowloon, I wonder?
Just thinking out loud!