THE ARMIES OF INDIA

The Indian Army epitomizes over two hundred years of gallantry, honour and service to the Crown and Empire. This culminated, during the Second World War, when two and a half million men from the sub-continent volunteered for service- the largest volunteer force ever assembled in time of war bringing Sikh, Hindu and Muslim together against a common foe. Since Partition, in 1947, many of the old regiments have been disbanded or incorporated into the various national forces. But the tradition still remains and, during the Falklands campaign, the Gurkhas were in the forefront of the conflict together with their British compatriots. THE ARMIES OF INDIA, General Sir George MacMunn s proud record of the Indian regiments, traces their origin from the native troops of the rival princes who added fuel to the territorial ambitions of the French and British in the eighteenth century; describes the ascendancy of the Honourable East India Company and the proving ground of both Clive and Wellesley. The narrative continues through the Mahratta Wars. The sepoy Mutiny, the Afghan and Frontiers Wars to the eve of the First World War. MacMunn s emphasis is on the evolution and role of the Indian regiments as well as the legendary exploits of the Bengal Lancers, Skinner s Horse and the Guides, etc. Above all the dignity, valour and loyalty of the native regiments prevails and even the Great Mutiny of 1857, where atrocities were committed by both sides, witnessed Indian and British troops standing shoulder to shoulder. The illustrations taken from the watercolours of Major A.C. Lovett, show the often colorful service dress of the men and officers of the Indian regiments.