Three Lascars of the 'Viceroy of India' (1929), standing behind the wheel of one of the ship's tenders. The three are wearing an embroidered, knee length, cotton tunic called a lalchi, and white pantaloons and a topi. The lefthand seaman is wearing a red rhumal or folded cloth worn around the waist and knotted in front.

Lascars were seamen from South Asia, China, East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. They had manned P & O vessels since the 1840s. They were paid at lower rates than Europeans and tended to work in groups as engine crews, deck hands, cabin stewards and waiters. P & O officers were expected to be familiar with basic Hindustani to help with communication.