Written by
JOHN FRENCH
and Illustrated by
IAN HEATH
Illustrations comprise 199 drawings of troop types and flags, and 27 other illustrations and maps.

Of all the military campaigns fought by the British during the 19th century, no area saw more conflict than the subcontinent of India. Dozens of encounters, both great and small, involved many of its races as either friends or foes of Britain – indeed, it was not unusual for an area to furnish both ally and enemy at the same time! This volume covers the British, Indian and Anglo-Indian troops who fought for The Honourable East India Company and Britain over the varied landscape of what is present day Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, between the years 1826 and 1859. The vast array of uniforms and dress worn by soldiers serving in India during this period is examined in detail, and extensive information is also provided on regimental Colours. The book's nine chapters cover the campaign in Bhurtpore (1825–26); the Coorg campaign (1834); the First Afghan War (1839–42); the conquest of Sind (1843); the campaign against Gwalior (1843); the Sikh Wars (1845–46 and 1848–49); actions on the North-West Frontier (1849–58); the Santhal Rebellion (1855–56); and the Indian Mutiny (1857–59). Each of these chapters includes uniform information specific to the campaign covered, while that on the Indian Mutiny also includes details of Mutineer dress. Many orders of battle and battle-plans are also included. llustrations comprise 199 drawings of troop types and flags, and 27 other illustrations and maps. ISBN 1-901543-11-0

This book is not intended to be a campaign history, as many have already been written on such subjects as the First Afghan War, the Sikh Wars, and the Indian Mutiny. That is not to say that the course of events is not followed, particularly in the case of less well-known conflicts — where possible orders of battle and battle plans are even included — but such coverage is by no means intended to be exhaustive. Instead, my primary intention is to describe and depict examples of the vast array of uniforms and campaign dress worn by the soldiers of the period, and to provide information on regimental Colours.

This volume covers British, Indian, and Anglo-Indian troops who fought for the Honourable East India Company and Britain in the period 1826 to 1859. They fought over the immense and varied landscape of what are present day Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. At the time, however, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh were not unified countries, but consisted of several hundred states and kingdoms of assorted sizes. Some were under the jurisdiction of Britain (via the Honourable East India Company), whilst others were very much independent, with their own kings and maharajas. Some of these provided support for Britain in its various campaigns, either by allowing passage through their land or by providing allied troops.

I have retained 19th-century spellings for most place-names, but not all — Cabool, for instance, is rendered in the more familiar form Kabul. In addition I have, at times, given some of the alternatives where more than one contemporary spelling existed.

The armies and troop types covered are those that fought on the British side. No disrespect is intended to the many tribes or armies that fought against the British, which will be covered in a companion series, Armies of the Nineteenth Century: Asia. The Indian Mutineers of 1857–59, however, are dealt with here, as they had previously been part of the Honourable East India Company's army, in some cases for many years.

In order to save space, details of the uniforms covered are often presented in abbreviated form. Whilst I have consulted as many sources as possible, there remain, inevitably, a few gaps where uniform information does not appear to exist, or is at best vague. If anyone is able to contribute further details, I would be pleased to hear from them via Foundry Books.

Finally, thank you to all those people who have helped in one form or another by furnishing ideas, information, or inspiration. They include Bryan Ansell, Mark Copplestone, Peter Rumbelow, Ray Boyles, Ian Heath, and various members of the Victorian Military Society, as well as museum staff across Britain too numerous to mention individually.

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