Have you ever wondered why nearly everyone in old photographs used to have an epic mustache? Not only was it extremely common for the time, but strangely it was also mandated by the British Army! Between the years 1860 and 1916, Command No. 1695 stated that, “The hair of the head will be kept short. The chin and the under lip will be shaved, but not the upper lip.” This was implemented because it was considered an act of discipline.
Unshaven faces were thought to be more manly and virile at the time when the bare faces of those in India were thought to look childish and barbaric. This is completely alien to most today because almost the exact opposite is true.
If a British soldier decided to shave their mustache they were disciplined and could even be imprisoned! Of course, to the Victorians, nothing would be more terrible than looking unsavory in the eyes of society and so nearly everyone grew a mustache!