The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-04-13
BRITAIN's INDIAN ARMY.
Something About the Troops Now he.
ing Drawn Upon for the south
African War.


abroad, makes it pertinent to recall to
mind that British India and her vast
population of nearly 400,O00,O00 are
practically kept in check by only 10000
British troops. These troops usually
serve ten years in India, and are trans
ferred from one military station to an
other every two years. Tommy AT
kins,'' at least when in India, is very
precious in the sight of the British
government. AS he stands in his uni
form a disciplined soldier in the prime
of health and strength, he is said to
have cost paternal government~the
sum of $4,000 American money, and he
is valued accordingly. His daily ra-
tions are carefully examined by medi.
cal experts, and his one quart of ale and
one ounce of rum are served out to him
with the greatest regularity. When
the exigencies of the service permit he
is sent in the shot season" to the noun
tains, where he works on the roads and
gets laborers' allowance besides his
pay. When on the plains everything is
done that possibly can be accomplished
by his officers to make his life pleas
ant, and if he behaves himself a good
conduct stripe is added to his coat sleeve
and penny a day (two cents of our
money! to his income. When he gets
drunk he goes to the cells for week,
or is given five days drill. In due
time he returns to England and enjoys
pension-that is, if he does not fall
victim to the climate. The biggest out
door attractions at the Indian military
stations are the cemeteries, the one at
Peshawar alone containing the graves
of $500 British soldiers.
The full strength of Great Britain's
Indian army, in round numbers, ap-
proximates 100000 men, of whom $780,
are native and 10000 British soldiers. In
addition to this military force there are
about 10000 enrolled European volun-
teers, and a native police differed by
white men, nearly 200, 900 strong. The
army proper is divided into three main
forces, known as the Bengal, the Bonn
bay and the Madras divisions, all of
which are under the commander-in-
chief of India. A native Sepoy regi-
ment usually consists of 800 men, and is
commanded by seven English officers,
namely, a commandant, two wing COM
manders and four wing officers. There
are also 16 commissioned native off.
GERS, eight of whom are subadars, OF
captains, and eight jemadars, or lieu
tenants. The non-commissioned Off
GERS are eight in number, all natives,
40 of whom rank as havildars, or SER
geants, and the remaining 40 as naiks,
or corporals. In the cavalry the cap
tain is styled risaldar; the lieutenant,
risaidar. The chief native officer of
the infantry regiment is the subadar
(major). Every regiment is divided
into ten companies, each of which is
usually made up of different nation
atty, such as Goorkhas, Sikhs, Dogras,
Pathans, Punjaubis, etc. 1t is owing
to this precaution that combination of
forces for the purpose of mutiny be-
comes almost impossible. The Goor
khas and Sikhs, whose loyalty is rated
the highest, are in some localities per-
mitted to constitute entire regiments
by themselves.
The pay of the Sepoy OF native SOL
increase after three years good con
duct service. The pension system
particularly liberal and is really tn
magnet which draws the native re,
cruit. 1t is so skillfully arranged tha
there can be no jobbery, and twice
year the pension officers visit the grea
centers of population to pay the pen
sions. When Sepoy soldier falls in
action his wives-and there four
them-are all pensioned, as well as thei
young children. AS regards the artil
lery branch of the Indian army, white
men only are employed, both as com
missioned officers and in the ranks,
and the guns of all forts are entirely
manned by Britons.
AS to the fighting qualities of these
Sepoy soldiers, the -Goorkha ranks first;
in fact many English experts believe
that the Goorkha, who is a native of
Nepaul, is the best soldier in the world
Sturdily built, of an average height OF
five feet three inches, the Goorkha is
S4odAiJ BOOo IL u COHlCbt
with the bayonet or at long range with
the rifle. The Sikh ranks second as a
soldier of the native contingent. He
comes from the Punjaub, averages six
feet in height, and is supple, sinewy
and athletic as the stereotyped red In
dian. The Sikhs and Goorkhas are an
cient enemies, and did their best to ex-
far 20 IN, Al C,,4I 81
of 1s4o. The Pathan probably stands
third in the native list as warrior, but
does not class with the other two tribe
named above in the matter of endur-
ance, and there is always doubtabout
his loyalty.
A unique native regiment in the emr
ploy of the British is that known as
the guides, which is composed of mot
ley race of freebooters, who for many
years were the terror of northern In.
dia. This old principle of setting a
thief TO catch thief has worked ex.
cellently, and the guides have the rep
utation of being the fiercest fighters OF
the entire Sepoy army.
If confederation were required of the
martial qualities of the native Indiar
soldiery, the Nepaulese war of 1914
and the siege of Kalunga in particular,
will afford any needed illustration. Al
Kalunga 600 Goorlshas were intrenche.
in stockade and succeeded in repuls.
ingfiye fierce assaults of the British. r
was only when this brave band had To-
$50 of their number that they hoist
the flag of iRuce, and the loss they in.