iU 
 
 [PRINTED FOR PRIVATE USE ONLY.] 
 
 REPLIES 
 
 UY 
 
 BRia. GENL. JOHN JACOB, C.B., 
 
 &c. &c. 
 
 TO QUESTIONS REGARDING THE 
 
 REORGANISATION OF THE INDIAN ARMY. 
 
 1858. 
 
 14
 
 [PRINTED FOR PRIVATE USE ONLY.] 
 
 K E P L I E S 
 
 BY 
 
 BRIG. GENL. JOHN JACOB, C.B., 
 
 TO QUESTIONS REGARDING THE 
 
 PtEORGANISATION OF THE INDIAN ARMY. 
 
 1858. 
 
 • > •>« >
 
 BOMBAY: 
 Printed at the Education Society's PresS; ByeuUa.
 
 
 No. 19. 
 
 From Lieut. Col. H. M. Durand, C.B., 
 
 On Special duty with the Governor General,. 
 
 ^ To Brigadier General J. Jacob, C.B., 
 c &.C. &c. &c. 
 
 2 Allahabad, the 2\st Maij 1858. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 1. Under instructions from the Right Honorable 
 the Governor General of India, I have the honour to for- 
 ward a printed copy of letter No. 235, dated 25th No- 
 ^ vember 1857, from the Honorable Court of Directors. 
 o 2. Circumstances having rendered it hitherto im- 
 ^ practicable, notwithstanding the successes which have 
 o attended our troops in the field, and the important 
 advance which has been made towards the re-establish- 
 ment of the authority of Govermment in the disturbed 
 Districts to constitute such a Commission as the Honor- 
 able Court desired to see appointed, the Governor 
 General has determined to adopt the alternative of 
 obtaining in writing from eminent and experienced 
 Public Servants, Civil and Military, their opinions on 
 the several heads of the inquiry, the conduct of which 
 '^ would otherwise have been entrusted to tlie Commission. 
 3. In respect to the order in which these heads 
 shall be taken up, His Lordship is of opinion, that the
 
 main t'eiitures of the revolt of the Native Army in ]5en- 
 gal, and the g-eneral and financial considerations which 
 the issue of this unparalleled mutiny entail, are, of 
 themselves, sufficient to prescribe the point to which, 
 practically, the attention of the Home Government 
 must first be directed ; that point being the strength and 
 the composition of the European Army, which must be 
 permanently maintained in India as the broad and 
 fixed basis of our power and security. 
 
 4. This being so, the 5th paragraph of the Honor- 
 able Court's Despatch becomes the one of prim.ary im- 
 portance. And, indeed, a decision on the point above 
 noticed, as well as on the question raised in that para- 
 graph, viz. the proportion which the European should 
 bear to the Native portion of the Army in India ge- 
 nerally, and at each Presidency separately, will go far 
 to simplif}^ inquiry into other parts of the whole subject, 
 the financial aspect of which will then be brought 
 clearly into view. 
 
 5. Impressed with the necessity for a speedy, 
 though a well considered settlement of these funda- 
 mantal data, the Governor General has directed me to 
 forward, for your attentive consideration, the appended 
 series of questions, and to request that replies may be 
 returned, with as little delay as the weighty nature 
 of the points referred for you opinion may render 
 practicable. 
 
 6. This series of questions will be followed by other 
 series upon the various heads to which the Court's 
 Despatch calls attention ; therefore, in replying to those 
 which I am now directed to place before you, there 
 will be no necessity for touching upon the many im- 
 portant particulars to which the letter of the Honorable
 
 5 
 
 Court adverts, but which are foreigTi to the main 
 question raised in tlie 5th paragraph. 
 
 I have the honour to be, &c. 
 (Signed) H. M. Durand, Lieut. Col., 
 On Special duty with the Governor General. 
 
 Military Department. 
 
 No. 235 OF 1857. 
 Our Governor General of India in Council. 
 
 1 . We trust that when success, by the blessing of 
 Divine Providence, shall have attended your efforts to 
 put down the mutiny of the Native Arni}^ of your 
 Presidency, and to re-establish the authority of the 
 Government in the disturbed Districts, you will be en- 
 abled to take advantage of the services of select Officers 
 of aljility and experience to assist you, by investigation 
 and by practical counsel founded thereon, in forming 
 wise conclusions on the most important subject which 
 must soon press for decision, namely, the proper organi- 
 sation of our Army in India. 
 
 2. To this end, we authorise you to appoint, as 
 soon as circumstances will permit, a Commission, com- 
 posed of Military Officers of the Armies of the three 
 Presidencies (with whom should be associated Officers 
 of the Queen's Army, who have had experience of 
 Indian service), on whose knowledge, experience, and 
 judgment you can rely ; together with one or more 
 Civil Servants whom you may consider to be specially 
 qualified for such a duty by their knowledge of the 
 native character, and general administrative experience.
 
 6 
 
 3. In iVaiiiing instructions for the ^'uidance of t]ii> 
 Commission, we are desirous that tlie following hca(U 
 of in{|uirv should be specified, in addition to any others 
 which you may consider to deserve their attention : — 
 
 1st. — Should Corps be raised each in a prescribed 
 District, and be recruited there and there only ? 
 
 2)1(1. — Should Corps be composed of Troops or 
 Companies, each of which shall consist of separate 
 Tribes or Castes ; or should the Tribes or Castes be 
 mixed up together in the whole Regiment ? 
 
 Si'd. — Should a Company or Companies of Euro- 
 peans form a component part of Native Regiments ? 
 
 Ath. — What alterations should be made in your 
 Recruiting Regulations relating to Tribes and Castes 
 with a view to determine the future composition of 
 the Native Army ? 
 
 5f^_ — Will it be expedient to enlist Natives of other 
 tropical countries, equally cpialified for service in 
 India with the Natives of the country ; and, if so, 
 should they be formed in separate Regiments, or in 
 Companies, or otherwise? 
 
 C)th. — Whether, in Native Infantry Regiments, 
 the discontinuance of the grades of Native Com- 
 missioned Officers, and the substitution of an 
 European Serjeant and Corporal to each Company 
 is advisable ; and, if so, whether, in lieu of the pros- 
 pect of distinction and emolument arising out of 
 these grades, it would be advisable to establish 
 graduated scales of Good Service Pay and Retiring 
 Pensions, claimable after specified periods of service ? 
 
 •jfJi^ — Whether the system of promotion generally, 
 by seniority, to the grades of Native Commissioned.
 
 Officers (if these are retained) should not be altered, 
 and assimilated to the systems in force at Madras 
 and Bombay ? 
 
 Sth. — If separate Corps are to be maintained for 
 Military and Police purposes, what will be the best 
 organisation for each Branch respectively ? 
 
 9tk. — Have the powers of Commanding Officers 
 of Native Corps, and the powers of Officers in charge 
 of Companies been diminished ? What consequen- 
 ces have been the result ? Is it desirable that those 
 powers should be increased, or what other measures 
 should be adopted for the improvement of discipline ? 
 10th. — Should Cadets be trained and drilled in 
 European Regiments before they are posted to Na- 
 tive Regiments ? or what would be the best mode of 
 drilling and training Cadets before they are posted 
 to Native Regiments ? 
 
 lltk. — Should the special rules regulating punish- 
 ment in the Native Army be retained, or should tliey 
 be assimilated to the rules which obtain in the British 
 Army ; or ought there to be any, and what changes 
 in those rules, or in the system of punishment ? 
 
 I2th. — How can the demands for European Officers 
 
 for staff and detached employments be best provided 
 
 for without injuring the efficiency of Regiments ? 
 
 4. It is to be understood, that the inquiries be made 
 
 by the Commission, and the opinions to be offered by 
 
 them are to have reference to the several bi'anclics of 
 
 the Native Army — Infantry, regular and irregular; 
 
 Cavalry, regular and irregular ; Artillery, and Sappers 
 
 and Miners; and with respect to the Artillery, and 
 
 Sappers and Miners, whether they shoidd be composed,
 
 8 
 
 us hei'ctofore, of Euro})caii and Natives, or be entirel}' 
 European. 
 
 5. To aid your Government in forming an opinion 
 as to the proportion which the Euroi)eans should bear 
 to the Native portion of the Army in India generally, 
 and at each Presidency separately, we Avould recom- 
 mend that your Government should call upon the 
 Commission to give their opinions on this very impor- 
 tant question ; and we can entertain no doubt that the 
 enlarged knowledge and experience of the members of 
 the Commission will enable them to furnish you with 
 valuable information on this head. 
 
 6. Having obtained opinions on all these heads of 
 inquiry, and on such other heads as you may deem to 
 be essential to the thorough development of the impor- 
 tant questions at issue, you will refer the views of the 
 Commission for the consideration of the Commander in 
 Chief, and will then furnish us with the result of your 
 careful deliberation upon the whole of the measures 
 which should, in your judgment, be taken for the 
 organisation and maintenance, in the utmost practica- 
 ble state of efficiency, of Avhatever Military Force you 
 may think it desirable to form. 
 
 7. The Commission itself may be instructed to make 
 to the Governor General in Council any suggestions 
 or recommendations which occur to them, although 
 not on matters comprised in the specified heads of 
 inquiry. 
 
 We are, &c. 
 
 (Signed) R. D. Mangles, 
 
 „ F. CURRIE, 
 
 &c. &c. 
 London, the 2^th Novemhci- 1857.
 
 9 
 
 No. 60. 
 From Lieut. Col. H. M. Durand, C.B., 
 
 On Special duty with the Governor General, 
 To Brigadier General J. Jacob, C.B., 
 &c. &c. &c. 
 
 Dated Allahabad, \Qth June 1858. 
 Sir, 
 My letter No. 19, of the 21st May last, will have 
 prepared you for the receipt of other series of questions 
 upon the various heads to which letter No. 235, dated 
 25th November 1857, from the Honorable Court of 
 Directors, had called attention. 
 
 2. By direction of the Right Honorable the Gover- 
 nor General of India, I have now the honour to forward 
 a series of questions connected with the reorganisation 
 of the Infantry branch of the Service. 
 
 3. The questions now forwarded are upon the 
 Recruiting and Composition of Corps. The questions 
 upon the second, third, and fourth heads of the general 
 classification will follow as soon as they are received 
 from the Press, and will be despatched without any 
 accompanying letter. 
 
 4. Such of the questions as are not applicable, will, 
 of course, require no other reply than a statement to 
 that effect. The questions having to be framed for 
 wide and general circulation, entailed the necessity of 
 their being comprehensive, and precluded their limita- 
 tion, otherwise than by marginal manuscript direction, 
 to the special circumstances of the several Civil and 
 Military Authorities to be addressed. 
 
 5. I have only to repeat, that the Governor Gene- 
 
 2 J
 
 10 
 
 ral is desirous, that replies be furnished, with as Httle 
 delay as the nature and complexity of the points refer- 
 red for your opinion may render practicable. 
 
 I have the honour to be, &c. 
 
 (Signed) H. M. Durand, Lieut. Col., 
 On Special duty with the Governor General. 
 
 Enclosures : 
 
 1. Series of Questions, Bombay Presidenc}'. 
 1. Series of Questions, Sind. 
 
 No. 293 OF 1858. 
 
 From Brigadier General J. Jacob, C.B., 
 
 Commandant in Chief, Sind Irregular Horse, 
 To Col. H. M. Durand, C.B., 
 &.C. &c., 
 On Special duty with the Governor General. 
 
 Jacohahad, Itli June 1858. 
 Sir, 
 I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt 
 this day of your printed letter No. 19, of the 
 21st May 1858, to my address, with accompani- 
 ments, and with reference to their subject to state, 
 that with respect to the questions regarding the 
 numbers, distribution, accommodation of troops in 
 the Bombay Presidency generally, I am not in pos- 
 session of the information necessary to enable me to
 
 11 
 
 reply to these queries with precision ; and as you will 
 of course receive replies from those Officers who have 
 the necessary records to refer to regarding such matters, 
 it seems best that I should not trouble you with 
 approximations only to exact information. 
 
 2. With respect to the other questions on the list, 
 having reference to the Presidency of Bombay, or to 
 India generally, I beg leave to observe that it appears 
 to me to be wholly erroneous to suppose that the num- 
 bers of European troops to be stationed in that Presi- 
 dency or in India, should bear any particular proportion 
 to the numbers of Native troops employed, 
 
 3. It cannot, it appears to me, be wise to attempt 
 to regulate the numbers of Europeans to be employed 
 in the Service, by any such considerations as the pro- 
 portion which these numbers may bear to the Native 
 troops, but it seems that such numbers must depend 
 on totally different circumstances, such as the nature 
 of the duties to be performed, the climate, local 
 position, &c. 
 
 4. For instance on this frontier Euroi)eans would 
 be totally useless; they could not live in this climate, 
 and, in one year^ Regiments would be probably reduced 
 to companies, however well the men might be sheltered ; 
 while if they had to take the field in the summer 
 time, one day miglit suffice to destroy the Avhole force.* 
 Kurrachee, on the contrary, is probably the best place 
 in all India at which permanently to mass a large 
 European force for imperial purposes, and totally 
 irrespective of merely provincial re(|uirements. 
 
 5. I would also remark that it seems to me to be 
 absolutely certain that we cannot hold India, by an 
 arm chiefly, or in large proportion, composed of English
 
 12 
 
 soldiers, and that to attempt to do so must be attended 
 with speedy and utter ruin. 
 
 6. In the first place England could not supply the 
 numbers of soldiers, supposed, on the most moderate 
 estimate, to be required for the purpose of maintaining 
 such an army in the East. 
 
 7. And ao'uin it is clear to me that if we could 
 command even such a host of Europeans as the grand 
 army with which Napoleon invaded Russia, the at- 
 tempt to coerce India by such forces would only end 
 in more complete and hopeless failure. 
 
 8. The mere brute force of hundreds of thousands 
 of men becomes powerless before that of hundreds of 
 millions of such people as the nations of India. The 
 whole force of the Mogul Empire was never able to 
 subdue even one of these nations — the Rajpoots. 
 
 9. To attempt to govern India by the force of 
 numbers of English soldiers must, it seems to me, 
 alienate from us all of the best of the inhabitants of 
 the country who are now assuredly inclined to favour 
 and to support our power. While those inclined to be 
 dissatisfied with our rule, who have hitherto been 
 effectually restrained by the knowledge that the 
 feelings of the great body of the people were with us, 
 would then be free to display their hostility. 
 
 ' 10. Whatever the numbers of European soldiers 
 employed, if we found ourselves placed in opposition 
 to the whole people of India, composing all the classes 
 above referred to, the result could not long be doubtful. 
 11. We should, I conceive, speedily find ourselves 
 in the position of a waggoner who, finding his horses 
 unruly and troublesome, and, perhaps, getting a kick 
 from one of the animals, should dispense with the
 
 13 
 
 services of the team, and place himself with one or two 
 of his friends between the shafts. It is certain that 
 thouo'h the men mio;ht break their hearts with their 
 exertions, they would not move the load one inch ! But 
 let the driver, instead of finding fault with the poor 
 horses, improve his own guiding power a little, let him 
 handle his team more skilfully, and he would soon find 
 all working together with irresistible power, quietly, 
 steadily, and well. 
 
 12. Thus I am convinced that this great Empire 
 also cannot be controlled by English bone and muscle, — 
 by numbers of English bodies ; but that it can be held 
 in perfect safety and security by English mind, — by 
 English moral power, by the influence of a moderate 
 number of cultivated English gentlemen, rather than 
 by a multitude of rude soldiers. 
 
 13. It is certain that the Natives of India, even of 
 Hindoostan proper, habitually under proper treatment, 
 and commanded as men in accordance with living- 
 principles and natural laws, can be made as good, true, 
 and faithful soldiers as any Europeans whatever. 
 
 14. This has been long known to me, but its truth 
 has been placed beyond a doubt by the facts which 
 have occurred. While I was absent in Persia during 
 the last year, in Upper Sind, where a body of Native 
 Officers and Ilindoostanee sepoys, mostly from the most 
 disturbed districts around Delhi, standing alone amidst 
 the rebellious inhabitants of the country and the dis- 
 affected sepoys of other corps in the Government 
 Service, when tried and tempted, as none of their brethren 
 have been tried or tempted elsevvliere ; not only remain- 
 ed themselves perfectly faithful and true, but, without 
 an European soldier within hundreds of miles of them.
 
 14 
 
 controlled and repressed every attempt, however insidu- 
 oiis, or however formidable, by whomsoever made, 
 whether by secret persuasion, or open force, at mutiny 
 anfl rebellion around them, and thus saved the lives 
 of all tlie Europeans in this Province, and prevented a 
 violent open rebellion throughout Sind and Beloo- 
 chistan. 
 
 15. While, in some instances, they knew that their 
 sons and relatives, though probably as true men as 
 tliemselves, were being executed as traitors l)y British 
 Officers in Hindoostan. 
 
 16. I beg leave to suggest that the correspondence 
 relating to the conduct of the troops, the proceedings 
 on this Frontier, and the treatment of men detached 
 from hence on recruiting service in Hindoostan, during 
 the past year, be called for from the Commissioner in 
 Sind, or from the Government of Bombay. This 
 correspondence would, I think, with reference to the 
 subjects now treated of, be found most significant and 
 interesting. 
 
 17. Previously to the receipt of your letter, under 
 reply, I had been requested by the Commissioner in 
 Sind to answer questions with respect to this Province 
 similar to those which I have now been favoured with 
 from yourself, wherefore it seems to me that I cannot 
 do better than forward herewith a duplicate of m}^ 
 reply to Mr. Frere, which I have accordingly the 
 honour to do. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier.
 
 15 
 
 Questions referred hy the Commissioner in Sind 
 to Brigadier General John Jacob, C.B., 
 with his Replies thereto. 
 
 Jacohahad, 5th June 1858. 
 
 1 . The number of European Troops of each Arm 
 now serving in Sind. 
 
 I am not informed on this head. 
 
 2. The Number and the Distribution of the Euro- 
 pean Troops of each Arm you deem necessary for 
 the occupation of Sind. 
 
 It seems to me that this question cannot be answered 
 wisely if the occupation of Sind be considered as a 
 provincial matter only. Sind being the most exposed 
 portion of the frontier of India, the Military occupation 
 of this Province can only be properly discussed with 
 reference to imperial interests. 
 
 For local purposes, for the mere occupation, no 
 European troops are actually necessary, except two 
 companies of Artillery. 
 
 But, with a view to imperial interests and necessities, 
 Kurrachee seems to me to be, in every respect, the best 
 position in all India, at which permanently to station 
 a large body of European troops. The climate is most 
 favourable, as good, perhaps, as any in tlie world ; 
 while the troops there stationed would be in the best 
 possible position as a reserve force for service in the 
 Punjaub, or anywhere on our North-West Frontier. 
 The means of transport, by land and water, are conti- 
 nually improving, and, if placed on a proper footing, a 
 force of ton thousand men miglit roach tho Punjaub
 
 16 
 
 I'roiii KuiTachee in the space of one month. On the 
 other hand, being massed at a seaport town, the troops 
 could be readily transported by sea to any other part 
 of the Empire. 
 
 The presence of a large force of Enro})ean troops at 
 Kurrachee would, in my o})inion, tend more than any 
 other measure to keep all quiet throughout and beyond 
 our North- Western Provinces. While, if the Hegi- 
 ments had their permanent head quarters established 
 at Kurrachee, they would always be able to move 
 anywhere on service, leaving sick, weakly recruits, and 
 unfits, as well as the wives and families of the mem- 
 bers of the corps, in safety and comfort at their homes, 
 to which the men would return on the conclusion of 
 the duty on which they might be commanded, and 
 this seems to me to be an arrangement which conduces, 
 in a most powerful manner, to the efficiency of soldiers 
 in the field. 
 
 I should recommend then, that a force be perma- 
 nently stationed at Kurrachee, consisting of two troops 
 of Horse Artillery, and four field batteries, fully horsed 
 and manned — ready at all times for field service, with 
 a Grand Arsenal and Ordnance Depot, and four reserve 
 companies of Artillery. Two companies of European 
 Sappers, and ten Regiments of European Infantry. 
 There should be no other European troops anywhere 
 in the Province. 
 
 3. The number of Native Troops actuallj^ now in 
 Sind ; and the number you regard as indispen- 
 sable for Sind ; also their distribution. 
 
 I have no means of supplying the information re- 
 quired in the first part of this question.
 
 17 
 
 With respect to the latter part, the only Native 
 troops required for Sind are those composing- the 
 Frontier Field Force. 
 
 The Frontier Field Force mio-ht consist of the three 
 Regiments of Sind Irregular Horse, witli three troops 
 of Sillidar Horse Artillery, and three Regiments of 
 Sillidar Infantry, as detailed in former correspondence 
 with the Commissioner in Sind and with Government. 
 The permanent head quarters of these corps should be 
 established at Jacobabad. No troops are, in my opinion, 
 required at other stations, or anywhere in the interior 
 of Sind. A properly organised Police force should be 
 maintained for internal duties, such as jail giuuxls, &c. 
 One thousand five hundred (1,500) mounted, and four 
 thousand five hundred (4,500) foot Police might 
 suffice for Sind, exclusive of the Frontier ; but on tliis 
 matter I am not fully informed, and am doubtful as to 
 exact numbers without having the records to refer to. 
 
 5. What proportion the Europeans should bear to 
 the Native portion of the Regular Army in Sind ! 
 
 This question is answered above, but it would be 
 highly advisable to attach a full company of Gnu 
 Lascars of tlie old strength of one hundred and twenty 
 (120) men to each troop and company of Euro])ean 
 Artillery and of European S;»p})ers. 
 
 6. What proportion the Euro[)eans sliould bear to 
 the Native Troops — Regulars and Police togetbcr? 
 
 It appears to me that the numbers of Europeans to 
 be employed should be determined on witliont any 
 rer(!reii('(! to the pro))ortiou they may bear to oilier 
 troops, but on considerations depending on totally 
 dillerent questions and j)rinciples. 
 3 J
 
 18 
 
 7. W'liat Barrack Accommodation exists in Sind 
 for European Troops? 
 
 There is accommodation for a troop of Horse Artil- 
 lery and two Regiments of Infantry at Kurrachee, and 
 for one Regiment at H3^drabad. 
 
 8. What Barrack Accommodation, if any, must be 
 provided in order that Sind may have adequate cover 
 for the European Troops you consider necessary ? 
 
 Good barracks must ])e provided at Kurrachee for a 
 troop of Horse Artillery, and eight companies of Foot 
 Artillery' ; two companies of Sappers, and for eight 
 Reo'iments of Infantrv. 
 
 9. What proportion the Europeans should bear to 
 the Native portion of the Regular Army in India 
 generally, and what proportion when Native Police 
 Corps are included ? 
 
 The idea of any such proportion appears to me to be 
 whoU}^ erroneous. Forty tliousand (40,000) European 
 Infantr}-- would be ample for all India: of these I 
 should advise that ten thousand (10,000) be quartered 
 at Kurrachee ; five thousand (5,000) at other con- 
 venient stations in the Bombay Presidency ; five 
 thousand (5,000) in the Madras Presidency; ten 
 thousand (10,000) in the Bengal Presidency; and the 
 remaining ten thousand (10,000) in reserve at Simla. 
 
 The whole of the Artillery in India should be 
 European, with the exception of a few troops and com- 
 panies formed for special service in particular localities 
 where Europeans could not live. 
 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier.
 
 19 
 
 REORGANISATION 
 
 ARMIES OF INDIA, 
 
 CLASSIFICATION. 
 
 The heads of inquiry in the Court's Despatch may- 
 be classed as follows : — 
 
 I.— THE RECRUITING AND THE COMPOSITION OF CORPS. 
 II.— THE MILITARY CODE AND RULES OF DISCIPLINE. 
 III.— ORGANISATION, PROMOTION AND REWARDS. 
 IV.— EUROPEAN OFFICERS.
 
 20 
 
 INFANTRY. 
 
 I. — The Recndting and Composition of Corps. 
 
 1. What are the Races, Tribes, or Castes, of which 
 the Native Infantry of the Bombay Army is com- 
 posed ? 
 
 Nearly all the races, tribes, &;c. of the Bombay Pre- 
 sidenc}^, with the exception of Parsees, and in consi- 
 derable proportion of those of Hindoostan Proper. 
 
 2. What Districts are the several Races, Tribes, 
 and Castes drawn from ? 
 
 All the districts of the Bombay Presidency, and 
 from Hindoostan Proper. 
 
 3. Have any Races, Tribes, or Castes, been ex- 
 cluded from Enlistment, either by the Regulations 
 or the practice of the Bombay Army ? 
 
 Yes; occasionally enlistment has been ordered to 
 be confined to certain races and districts. 
 
 4. Are there any Races, Tribes, or Castes, hitherto 
 neglected or excluded from the field of Enlistment, 
 from whom Recruits might, with advantage, be 
 drawn for the Native Infantiy of the Bombay 
 Army? 
 
 I think it would be far the best proceeding to take 
 no notice of any questions regarding race, tribes, &c., 
 but to entertain men with consideration of their 
 individual fitness only.
 
 21 
 
 5. What Agency is employed for the Enlistment 
 of Recruits in the Districts from which the Bom- 
 bay Army is Recruited ? 
 
 No special agency, the business is managed by 
 Regimental Commanding Officers. 
 
 6. On Enlistment of Recruits what precautions of 
 Registry and other forms are observed before the 
 local Authorities of Districts ? 
 
 None that 1 am aware of. 
 
 7. "When Recruits are Enlisted in Cantonments or 
 taken from the families of Sepoys, or the Followers 
 of Regiments, what precautions, if any, are taken ? 
 
 None that I am aware of. 
 
 8. What alterations should be made in existing 
 Reci'uiting Regulations and Practice, relatively 
 to Races, Tribes, or Castes (with a view to im- 
 prove the future composition of the Infantry of 
 the Native Troops in the Bombay Army) ? 
 
 I would leave all such arrangements wholly to the 
 Commanding Officers, and enlist men solely with 
 respect to individual fitness. 
 
 9. What are the words of the Oath administered 
 to the Recruit on his entering the ranks of the 
 Native Infantry ? 
 
 I have not a copy of the oath ; but it is well known. 
 
 10. How long has this form been in use in the 
 Bombay Army ? 
 
 Since 1798 I believe.
 
 22 
 
 1 1 . Can you suggest aii}'^ improvement in the 
 wordino- oi* matter of the Oath administered to 
 the Sepoy of the Bombay Army ? 
 
 I tliink all such oaths are bad in principle, and that 
 it would be far better to use none whatever. 
 
 12. Are there any Races, Tribes, or Castes in the 
 Bombay Presidency of seafaring habits, and could 
 Marine Corps be formed from such Races, Tribes 
 or Castes ? 
 
 Yes ; the greater part of the inhabitants along the 
 whole coast are such. 
 
 13. Has the Bombay Presidency any Marine 
 Corps ; and, if so, of what strength, and whence 
 recruited ? 
 
 Yes; there is a Marine Battalion, which is, I 
 believe, eight hundred (800) strong. Its ranks are 
 filled with Concanees, Purwarees, and Soortees. These 
 men are most efficient for the particular service 
 required of them. 
 
 14. Should each Infantry Corps be raised each in 
 a prescribed District, and be Recruited there and 
 there only ? 
 
 Each Corps should have a permanent head quarter, 
 and there, of course, recruits would generally be 
 entertained. 
 
 15. Or should each Corps be Recruited over a wide 
 area, in fact, without reference to Districts ? 
 
 In enlisting men nothing should be considered but 
 their fitness, morally and physically, for the work
 
 23 
 
 required of tlieiii. All such matters should be left 
 wholly to Regimental Commanders. 
 
 16. Should each Corps be homogeneous as to Race, 
 Tribe, or Caste ? 
 
 No race, tribe, or caste, &c. should be acknowledged 
 or attended to in any way, the sole question should be 
 the qualities of the men as men only, and Avitli reference 
 to the performance of the duties on which they were 
 to be employed. 
 
 17. If a Corps is not homogeneous, will it be 
 desirable that the Companies of which it is com- 
 posed should be, so far as may be possible, homo- 
 geneous, each Company consisting of men of one 
 Tribe or Caste, or should the Tribes and Castes 
 be mixed up in each Company ? 
 
 This question is replied to in the last answer. No 
 (juestions relating to tribe, caste, kc. should be enter- 
 tained for one moment, such distinctions should not be 
 acknowledo'ed at all. 
 
 '&^ 
 
 18. If Corps are not homogeneous but composite, 
 in what proportion sliould the Races, Tribes, or 
 Castes be entertained ? 
 
 Distinction of tribes, castes, Sec. should neither be 
 attended to or acknowledged in any way. 
 
 19. If separate Corps arc to be maintained for 
 Military and Police purposes, should the Recruiting 
 for both be allowed in the same District, or kept 
 to separate Districts, or should Police Corps be 
 recruited from a wide area without reference to 
 Districts ?
 
 24 
 
 Tlic Police should be wholly distinct from the Army ; 
 and Policemen should not be encouraged or allowed to 
 consider themselves as soldiers. Nothing seems to me 
 to be of more mischievous effect than such a practice. 
 
 I would leave all such questions as to recruiting 
 wholly to the discretion of individual Commanding 
 Officers. 
 
 20. Would you regard Police Corps as nurseries 
 from which men miglit be drawn for the Army 
 Corps ? 
 
 No, assuredly not. Nothing could be more mis- 
 chievous to both services. The Policemen should be 
 constables, and as little combative as possible. 
 
 21. What Agency should be employed for Recruit- 
 inp- in the District of the Bombay Presidency or 
 of its Dependencies, or in Districts of other Presi- 
 dencies ? 
 
 No special agency is employed. None seems neces- 
 sary ; but, on the contrary, its employment would, in 
 my opinion, be hurtful. I would leave all such matters 
 to be managed by individual Commanding Officers. 
 
 22. Would you employ the same kind of Agency 
 for Recruiting for Police Corps, or a distinct 
 Agency ? 
 
 23. What precautions should be taken before the 
 local Authorities, or through their instrumentality 
 in connection with Recruits for the Army of the 
 Bombay Presidency ? 
 
 None whatever ; all sliould be left to the discretion 
 of Commanding Officers. No regulations, no precau-
 
 25 
 
 tions will suffice to supply the want of an intellectual 
 activity on the part of Commanding Officers. 
 
 24. Should similar, or different precautions be 
 taken in connection with Recruits for Police Corps 
 in the Bombay Presidency ? 
 
 The only precaution required in all cases is, that care 
 should be taken to choose proper European Commanders, 
 to whose discretion all details should be left. 
 
 25. Will it be expedient to enlist Natives of other 
 tropical countries, equally qualified for service in 
 India with the Natives of the country ; and, if so, 
 should they be formed in separate Regiments, or 
 in Companies, or otherwise ? 
 
 The only question with regard to entertaining men 
 in the Service should be, whether they be fit for that 
 Service, or otherwise. 
 
 All recruits should be considered as men only with- 
 out any acknowledgment of differences with respect to 
 country, religion, tribe, caste, &c. 
 
 26. If recourse be had to Recruiting in other tropi- 
 cal countries, which are the Countries and Races 
 to be preferred ? 
 
 Answered above, 
 
 27. What would be the best Agency to employ for 
 such Recruiting ? 
 
 All recruiting arrangements sliould be left wholly to 
 Commanding Officers. 
 4 J
 
 26 
 
 28. Should a Company or Companies of Europeans 
 form a component part of Native Regiments ? 
 
 No. A Native Indian soldier should never be asso- 
 ciated, if possible, with any Europeans but gentlemen. 
 He should, as far as it can possibly be managed, never 
 see an European in any but a superior position, none 
 not possessing higher and nobler attributes than his 
 own. 
 
 29. If so, should such Company or Companies be 
 enlisted for this special purpose, or be composed 
 of men selected from European Corps serving in 
 India, or be integral portions of European Corps, 
 and subject to periodical relief? 
 
 None but the utterly degraded, the very off-scourings 
 of Eastern society would take service under such an 
 arrangement, which, in my opinion, would prove utterly 
 ruinous to our power. 
 
 30. Where should the Barrack's of such Companies 
 be placed relatively to the Lines of the Native 
 
 Troops ? 
 
 31. Would such Detachments seriously complicate 
 Commissciriat arrangements ? 
 
 Helplessly so; but if the arrangements were 
 at<-ompted, there would be an end to our Indian Em- 
 pire at once. 
 
 32. How should such Companies be Armed, with 
 similar or different weapons from the Native Troops 
 with whom they would be associated ? 
 
 33. How should the Native Infantry of the Bom- 
 bay Presidency be Armed ?
 
 27 
 
 All Infantry should be armed alike — with short 
 double-barrel small -bored rifles. 
 
 34. How should Police Corps in the Bombay 
 Presidency be Armed ? 
 
 This must depend wholly on the particular work to 
 be done. The Police in the towns are best armed 
 with sticks only. 
 
 35. Do the advantages of making the Dress of 
 the Native Soldier a close imitation of that of 
 the European Soldier counterbalance the dis- 
 advantages ? 
 
 There are no advantages whatever to be counter- 
 balanced. The dress and equipment of our English 
 soldiers are ludicrously absurd. The dress and accou- 
 trements of the London Fire Brigade are probably the 
 best model for the soldier's equipment. Certainly the 
 only principle which can, in such matters, be wisely 
 adopted, is to study the bodily comfort, protection, and 
 freedom of action of the men without the least regard 
 to anything but power and efficiency. 
 
 36. How should the Native Infantry of the Bom- 
 bay Presidency be dressed with a view to the 
 comfort and efficiency of the Native Soldier .' 
 
 TIic best dress for the soldier in India is a loose 
 broad-cloth tunic, with plenty of pockets in it, like a 
 shooting coat ; loose cloth trowsers to button round the 
 ankle, and a good cotton-cloth puggree. In the hot 
 season, in the day time, white or drab-coloured cotton 
 clothing, of the like make, should be adopt(;d ; ])ipe-clay, 
 knapsacks, and cross-belts, be wholly abolished.
 
 28 
 
 37. It has been proposed that to every European 
 local Regiment, a Native Irregular Regiment, Of- 
 ficered from that European Regiment alone, 
 should be attached. What is your opinion upon 
 this proposed combination of an European and an 
 Auxiliary Native Regular or Irregular Corps of 
 Infantry in close and permanent association ? 
 
 This arrangement would answer admirably if the 
 Commanding Officer of the European Regiment were 
 a man who understood how to treat properly respect- 
 able Natives, and if he felt a pride in his Native 
 soldiers, otherwise it would signally fail, and, at best, 
 it is quite unnecessary. 
 
 38. Do you consider that the association of Eu- 
 ropean Artillerymen with Gun Lascars and 
 Native Drivers presents any analogy with such 
 an arrangement, and any encouragement to 
 adopt it ? 
 
 No ; the Gun Lascar arrangement is excellent ; but 
 the Lascar is considered and treated wholly as an in- 
 ferior being, and such treatment would exclude from 
 our ranks all the best soldiers in India. The men of 
 the Sind Irregular Horse always fraternise most 
 readily with English soldiers wherever and whenever 
 they meet each other, and they associate on terms of 
 perfect equality. I have known a Sowar knock a 
 stout European down with his fist when the man had 
 been insolent to him, and yet neither party made any 
 complaint ; but their comrades on both sides pro- 
 nounced all fair, and the men shook hands over it, and 
 by way of proving restored friendship, the English
 
 29 
 
 soldier handed over to the Mussulman his short clay 
 pipe to smoke, which he did readily, and they passed 
 it backwards and forwards from mouth to mouth with- 
 out the least scruple. This is a most common practice 
 among them when they meet European soldiers, yet 
 they are perfectly good Mussulmans, and are highly 
 respected by all classes of Natives. They delight in 
 taking care of the English soldiers whenever they 
 require their aid, and they take care of a drunken 
 European as if he were one of their own children. 
 They conduct themselves very much like the French 
 Zouaves. 
 
 39. How would you dispose of the Barracks and 
 Lines of the two associated Corps ? 
 
 The arrangement seems objectionable, wherefore 
 this question need not be entered on. 
 
 40. Would such a system be favourable or the 
 reverse to that vigilance which has become 
 essential, and to the maintenance of that awe 
 of European Troops which is an element of 
 strength ? 
 
 There is no real strength which is not founded on 
 natural law. Both our European and Asiatic soldiers 
 will always be more efficient and more faithful, in 
 proportion, as we strive more and more to cultivate 
 their individual powers as men, and to make them 
 respect themselves. 
 
 41. IIow would such an arrang(*m('nt dovetail 
 with the requirements of the Service in Peace and 
 War?
 
 30 
 
 4*2. Is it desirable that the Native Troops should 
 acquire a spirit of confidence and self-reliance, or 
 be S3'stematically trained to act in dependance 
 upon European support ; and which sentiment 
 would be fostered b}'- the system of Auxiliary 
 Native Battalions in permanent association Avith 
 European Corps ? 
 
 It is certain that all soldiers should be trained to 
 habits of self-reliance as much as possible ; and it is 
 quite clear to me, that with properly selected officers, 
 and with a proper organisation, our Native India Army 
 may be made as powerful, as true, as completely trust- 
 worthy as any European on earth. Nothing has failed 
 us now except our own foolish Avork ; we have persisted 
 for a long series of years in opposing every law of 
 nature in our treatment of our Asiatic soldiers, and, 
 having systematically destroyed health and living 
 force throughout our Army, we need not be surprised 
 that it has fallen to pieces. 
 
 Had we striven to cultivate and to develope living 
 power instead of crushing it under blind regulation, 
 all would have been sound, healthy, and strong. All 
 would soon become so now, if true principles were 
 adopted. 
 
 I annex a scheme for the reorganisation of the 
 Native Indian Army, which, in my opinion, cannot 
 fail of complete success if adopted at once. 
 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier. 
 
 Pol. SiipdCs Office, Jacohahad, 27th June 1858.
 
 31 
 
 Jacohahad, 2Ath March 1858. 
 
 My dear Sir Charles, 
 
 I am obliged by your letter of tlie 3rd February, 
 which reached me to-day. 
 
 With respect to the English army, I almost entirely 
 agree with your doctrines. It is certain that that army 
 can never be in a sound condition until purchase be 
 wholly abolished. 
 
 If this were done, and the free action of public 
 opinion admitted, no member of the Service being 
 prohibited or discouraged from publishing discussions 
 of facts or ideas, a Mutiny Act would scarcely be 
 requisite, and the flower of all England would press 
 forward to fill the ranks ; while every man of every 
 grade might be free to retire from the Service whenso- 
 ever he thought proper. 
 
 Let these reforms be made : establish fixed permanent 
 head quarters for each regiment in its native country ; 
 allow men to rise, as a matter of course, when fit for 
 promotion, by merit, from among the private soldiers 
 to the highest grades, and the business is done. 
 
 Each Regimental Head Quarters would be a military 
 nursery and school of the best possible description. 
 
 The arrangements there should be such as to make 
 every one as comfortable and as little under unpleasant 
 restraint as possible, consistently with tlie object in 
 view. There all recruits would be enlisted and trained ; 
 invalids and veterans would return there for health and 
 repose ; wives and families would reside there in 
 peace and comfort, while their husbands and fathers 
 were on service elsewhere ; and the service men could.
 
 32 
 
 witli the greatest possible ease and advantage, be reliev- 
 ed in a body every one, two, or three years — the latter 
 period slioiild never be exceeded I think. At the same 
 time, individual members of the Re2:iment min:ht con- 
 tinually be passing to and fro, as convenience or the 
 wants of the Service might require. I need not, how- 
 ever, enlarge on these details, for you will readily per- 
 ceive how the arrangement would develope itself. 
 
 This would make all England warlike, and ready to 
 serve. The soldier would cease to be separated entirely 
 from the citizen, and the whole male population would 
 probably, in time of need, be ready, able, and willing 
 to take to arms. 
 
 The proposal to hold India by the bodily power of 
 English soldiers, by force of muscles instead of by force 
 of brains, which seems at present to be universally 
 accepted, appears to me so enormously unwise, that I 
 feel certain, if the attempt be actually made, it 
 must result in the total ruin of the Empire. Nothing 
 seems more certain than that we can only hold this 
 great Empire of India by our moral superiorit}'. The 
 inhabitants of India are not barbarians. Science, 
 knowledgce, social condition, administrative wisdom, 
 &c. &:c. were in India, under Akbar, very far in advance 
 of the state of things in England under Elizabeth. 
 No amount of mere brute force could coerce two 
 hundred millions of such people. The influx of large 
 numbers of the lowest class of Englishmen, of ten 
 thousands of English bodies, with very little English 
 mind in them, will more than anything else tend to 
 destroy the reputation and the reality of our superiority 
 as moral beings ; coarse vice and brutal manners, as 
 the Oriental esteems them, will be then chiefly appa-
 
 rent to tha Asiatics as the characteristic attributes of 
 Englishmen, who will tlms very soon be hated and 
 despised. The idea of holding India hy an army of 
 English private soldiers appears to me to be so in- 
 tensely absurd, that it is difficult to deal with the 
 question with becoming gravity. We could hardly 
 obtain recruits for the Crimea : hoAV can we expect, 
 under the present system, to obtain them for this 
 country in greater numbers ? Without the assistance 
 of large numbers of Native Indian troops, an army of 
 Europeans could not move or subsist in the field ; the 
 enemy would only have to keep a little out of the way 
 at first, to leave the Enorhshmen to follow their ov/n 
 strange devices, and they would all die, — aided by 
 knapsacks, cross- belts, and pipe-clay, the sun and the 
 climate would do the business most effectually. Indeed, 
 the helplessness and ignorance of Europeans unaccus- 
 tomed to this country at first is often ludicrous. While 
 it shouUl be remembered that they would then, under 
 the new arrangements, have no association with the 
 Ilegular Native Army to aid their inexperience, and 
 that the wants and habits of the Eno-lishman are 
 entirely different from those of the people of the country, 
 so that no amount of force would enable them to help 
 themselves to what they required. 
 
 Again, seasons frequently occur (I have known man v 
 £uch) when every man is disabled by fever : at such 
 times our Military force would be annihilated, we 
 having no regular Native Indian Army, and hav- 
 ing wilfidly placed the i)eople in the position of 
 concpiered enemies, restrained by physical force only^ 
 insteafl of tlieir being, as now, generally our fast 
 fViciid.-;.
 
 H\\\. .ifrer all, Avliat is it tliat has failed us in India, 
 and caused all this outcry for European bodies? 
 
 Not tlie people, for they have generally remained 
 quiet, and even friendly. Not the native qualities, even 
 of the sepoys in our ranks, who have been murdering 
 our women and children ; for those of our Native 
 Indian soldiers who most nearly remained in the state 
 of raw material — who had imbibed the least of what 
 Avc have been pleased to call regular discipline— have 
 behaved the best — our Rigidation men have rebelled ! 
 
 Nothing indeed has failed us, — nothing turned against 
 us but our own foolish work. 
 
 We have systematically degraded and corrupted the 
 European mind in India, and especially in Bengal ; 
 have destroyed all its commanding power over the 
 Regular sepoy ; while, at the same time, for a quarter 
 of a century past, we have been flattering the sepoys, 
 and petting them most when they most deserved serve 
 punishment : we have been perpetually telling them 
 that they are the finest fellows on earth, instead of 
 really making them decent people, and raising them in 
 the scale of being. Lastly, we were always afraid to 
 tell the disorderly Bengalees they were wrong, and, 
 instead of correcting what was amiss with them, we 
 always forced the other armies — whose men were true, 
 and well-behaved enough — to " assimilate with the 
 practice in Bengal," however faulty such a practice 
 might be. 
 
 We can depend absolutely, with certainty and safety, 
 on the power for good which goes out from our own 
 minds, and which we have accumulated in the minds 
 of our Asiatic soldiers ; such power never has failed, 
 and never can fail us at our utmost need. But if we
 
 35 
 
 give forth no such power, we shall find none at our 
 service in the sepoy when we require it. 
 
 Our Regulation system has merely corrupted the ravv 
 material of our Native army, made the men think us 
 afraid of them, and made them strong only for evd. 
 A system equally ill-adapted to the nature of the 
 men would have made murderous and mutinous 
 ruffians even of Europeans, as this has done with the 
 Asiatics. 
 
 There are many millions of men among the Natives 
 of India fitted to make as good and faithful soldiers 
 as any men on earth. There is no fault justly to he 
 found with the raw material. 
 
 The men of the Sind Irregular Horse — Natives of 
 the districts around Delhi — are quite as trustworthy 
 as are European soldiers. Yet such ignorance prevails 
 with regard to these matters, that even now, in organ- 
 ising my third Regiment, it was actually proposed to 
 alter the construction of the Sind Horse — to " assimi- 
 late it with the practice in Bengal" ! The fact is, that 
 the system now prevailing in the Service destroys all 
 healthy growth of mind, wherefore true principles are 
 seldom to be found anywhere acted on in our Indian 
 administration. It is quite clear to me, that the Army 
 of India must be a Native Indian Army ; that great 
 num])ers of European private soldiers are not required 
 for India, and would even Ije injurious to our rule. 
 
 What European troops we have other than Artillery, 
 should be massed at certain places where the climate is 
 favourable, and whose position might enable the troops 
 readily to be despatclu^d to any part of the Empire 
 requiring their presence The Euroj)ean regiments 
 permanently belonging to, and forming part of, tlie
 
 3() 
 
 Indian Armies, should have their Regimental Head 
 Quarters in India. 
 
 The seat of" the Indian Government should be 
 removed from Calcutta, and established either in Bom- 
 bay or at Agra, — either place has some peculiar 
 advantao-es. 
 
 A new Presidency should be formed, \Yhich should 
 have a separate Government, Army, &:c. kc, while the 
 Supreme Government should have no connexion with 
 any Presidency in particular. 
 
 The new Presidency should be the North-Western 
 Presidency, and it might include the Punjaub, Sind, 
 Cis-Sutledge Seikh States, Bhawulpoor, and the Thurr, 
 also Delhi and the districts adjoining. The Indian 
 Presidencies would then be Bengal, Madras, Bombay, 
 and Lahore ; with the Supreme Government at Agra 
 or Bombay. 
 
 Forty thousand European Infantry would be ample 
 for all India : of these I would quarter ten thousand 
 at Kurrachee, as the best and most convenient Station 
 in all India for European troops ; five thousand might 
 suffice for the Bombay Presidency, and a like number 
 for Madras ; ten thousand for Bengal ; and the remain- 
 ing ten thousand I would place at Simla. 
 
 The whole of the Artillery in India should be 
 European, with the exception of a few troops and l)at- 
 teries, formed for special service in p;irticular localities 
 where European troops could not live, such as this 
 Frontier of Sind. 
 
 The strength of the Artillery in India should be 
 increased. All the Native Artillery in the Armies of 
 the tln-ee Presidencies should be replaced by Europeans, 
 the Gun l^ascars attached to whom ahould be re]>laced
 
 37 
 
 on their old footing, as they Averc in 1828, a full and 
 complete company of Gun Lascars being attached to 
 each European company. These men are most useful, 
 and save the European Artillerymen from fatal exposure 
 and fatigue, while they themselves are not of a class 
 ever to become dangerous to us. 
 
 In each Presidency there should be a full regiment 
 of European Sappers and Miners, all the men of which 
 shoidd be good artificers, surveyors, &c., each company 
 of European Sappers having a company of Natives at- 
 tached to, and working with it. Such corps would be 
 invaluable for the superintendence and execution of 
 public works. 
 
 For the new Presidency of Lahore, the Artillery 
 mie-ht consist of six Battalions of the usual strenjith, 
 and one Brigade of four troops of Horse Artillery. 
 These four troops, with twelve field batteries, should 
 always be kept complete, fully horsed and manned for 
 field service. 
 
 The Reserve Artillery might be chiefly posted at 
 Kurrachee and Lahore ; at both which places there 
 should be grand Ordnance depots. 
 
 A Native Army for each Presidency might be form- 
 cd and organised, as descri))ed by me in the printed 
 scheme for the reor2:anisation of the Indian Armv, &c. 
 
 The total strength of the Native troops should not, I 
 think, ])e much reduced. 
 
 No alterations as to numbers ap})ears requisite in tlic 
 Madras Army, and the three armies of the other l^ie- 
 sidencies might about equal in numbers the old armies 
 of Bengal and Bond)ay together. 
 
 For all internal })iiblic duties, such as Jail guards, 
 kc, a properly organised i'olice should be employed,
 
 38 
 
 sometliiii<r similar to that whicli lias bcon found to 
 answer so well in Sind. 
 
 The Frontier Field Force, so often recommended by 
 me, should be embodied for service in this quarter, 
 and no other troops are required for Sind. 
 
 Some room should be found for common-sense in 
 the Audit Department, and the paralysing effect of 
 centralisation should be partly remedied by a system 
 of local audit. 
 
 If these recommendations were followed, and tlie 
 principles set forth in my letter to Sir J. Lawrence, of 
 the r2th December last, were acted on and carried out 
 in practice, our Indian Empire would speedily be 
 brought into the soiuidest and strongest condition 
 possible. 
 
 The greatest dangers to which that Empire is now 
 exposed are the consequences of European violence 
 and folly. 
 
 If we attempt to govern by brute force, or by patron- 
 ising Christain Priests, Bishops, and jNIissionaries, we 
 shall inevitably bring about absolute ruin. 
 
 It seems to me, that to introduce our State religion 
 at all into our rule in the East is a very great and fatal 
 error. The Government of such an Empire, which 
 comprises hundreds of millions of men, holding twenty 
 different faiths and creeds, to which they are attached 
 as to their lives, cannot, consistently with any sort of 
 justice, patronise or acknowledge any one of those 
 creeds rather than another. The only safe, honest, 
 and righteous course is, as a Government, entireh^ to 
 ignore all. 
 
 No priest of any religion should be appointed, 
 patronised, or directly paid by the State. Let private
 
 39 
 
 persons, communities or congregations, make their own 
 arrangements to provide for their respective spiritual 
 wants, and all will be well ; while the most fearful and 
 deplorable mischief must and will assuredly ensue from 
 the contrary proceeding. 
 
 Our proceedings and their results in the Sind Irre- 
 gular Horse are sufficient to show you Avliat can be 
 made, under the most difficult circumstances, even of 
 the Hindoostances of Delhi — fathers, brothers, and sons, 
 of the sepoys of Bengal. 
 
 The whole essence of the matter in question consists 
 in the fact that I have been working on those attributes 
 w^hich are common to us and to the sepoys as men, and 
 which lead towards the hio-hest moral nature. I have 
 endeavoured to cultivate and to aid in the development 
 of these common attributes, and those in which we 
 differ have retired out of sight. 
 
 T have, &c. 
 (Signed) J. Jacob. 
 To 
 
 Sir C. Trevelyan, K.C.B., 
 
 kc. (Sec. (Sec. 
 
 Scheme for the Reorganisation of the India Army, 
 by Brigadier General John Jacob, C.B., S^'c. Sfc. 
 
 The Queen of Engand formally to assume the style 
 and title of Empress of India, and to hv, proclaimed 
 accordingly. 
 
 The armies of the several Indian Presidencies to be 
 henceforth styled the Royal Armies of India.
 
 40 
 
 111 each of those anuies, the whole of the European 
 officers of tlic Cavahy and Iiifaiity, and the European 
 officers of the Artillery and Engineers ahove the rank 
 of Colonel, to be formed into one general gradation 
 list, in which, under ordinary circumstances, all will 
 rise by seniority. 
 
 Rank in this list to be the only permanent rank, all 
 regimental and other rank being temporary only, and 
 to continue only so long as officers may be serving 
 ■with regiments, or be otherwise employed in a militar}'' 
 capacity. 
 
 In case of officers being promoted for good service, 
 &c. by the Queen, they are to take their places in the 
 general gradation list, according to the dates of their 
 promotions, and are to enjoy every advantage, exactly 
 as if they had risen to such places by seniority only. 
 This general gradation list to be styled the " Unem- 
 ployed List." All the officers borne on it, who may hold 
 no special appointments, will reside in India, at such 
 places as Government may direct, but will have no 
 public functions to perfoi-m. 
 
 A fourth Presidency, to be styled the North- West 
 Presidency, and a fourth army to be formed ; our pre- 
 sent Bombay and Bengal armies together being divided 
 into three equal parts for this purpose. 
 
 Ultimately, the whole establishment of European 
 officers may pro])ably be somewhat less than at pre- 
 sent ; but, under the proposed arrangements, the num- 
 ber of officers in the whole general list of each army 
 can readily be adjusted in practice to meet the demands 
 of the public service ; when these shall have been 
 correctly ascertained, no further changes will probably 
 be requisite.
 
 41 
 
 For an army of the strength of the present army of 
 Bombay, the following establishment might be 
 proper : — 
 
 Battalions or Regiments. Colonels. Lieut. Cols. Captains. Lieutenants. 
 
 5 Artillery 5 10 50 50 
 
 4 Engineers 4 8 40 40 
 
 3 Cavalry 3 6 30 30 
 
 33 Infantry 33 66 330 330 
 
 45 45 90 450 450 
 
 Generals 5 m i r yi • j 
 
 T ■ . n 1 in A lie ranks oi Maior and 
 
 Lieut, (jrenerals 10 t^ . , , ■'i- , i 
 
 Ai • ri 1 , - ±insi";n to be abolished. 
 
 Major Generals la ° 
 
 The several ranks of officers while unemployed in 
 India, to receive pay as follows: — 
 
 General 1,500 Rs. per mensem. 
 
 Lieutenant General 1,200 ,, 
 
 Major General 1,000 „ 
 
 Colonel 600 „ 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel 400 „ 
 
 Captain 300 „ 
 
 Lieutenant 200 „ 
 
 These rates of pay to be allowed to officers wherever 
 residing, by permission, in India, and the like number 
 of pounds per annum to be allowed to each when 
 ab,sent from India on leave to Europe or elsewhere. 
 
 The option of retiring on full-pay of the rank 
 attained to in the general list to be allowed after 30 
 years, and on half-pay after 20 years. 
 
 Leave of absence to be granted at the discretion of 
 the local governments. 
 
 Subscriptions to military and all other funds to cease 
 to be compulsory. 
 
 A distinct and separate civil service to be prospec- 
 tively abolished. 
 
 Officers while micmployed or (;mj)loy(!d in civil 
 capacities arc not to ha in any way subject to the 
 6 J
 
 42 
 
 authority of the Commander in Chief of the army, or 
 to military rule or etiquette. 
 
 All candidates appointed to the Indian service to be 
 educated at a military college in England, and to 
 reside at such college for at least two years, and not 
 more than four years. 
 
 The minimum age for admission to be fourteen, and 
 the maximum eighteen years. 
 
 The course at the college to include full instruction 
 in mechanical and in physicel science generally, and 
 in political economy, also riding, rifle practice, and 
 hardy exercises. 
 
 The residence at the college to be free of all pecu- 
 niary charge to the cadet, unless he decline proceeding 
 to join the service in India in due course, in which 
 case — to cover all cost to the State — he should pay at 
 the rate of 100/. per annum for the period during 
 which he has resided at college. 
 
 From the general list formed as above mentioned, 
 officers are to be selected for every species of public 
 employment, — civil and military. 
 
 For each Native Infantry Regiment, the establish- 
 ment of English officers may be as follows : — 
 
 Pay. 
 1 Colonel 600 Rs. per mensem. 
 
 1 Lieutenant Colonel 400 ,, 
 
 2 Captains (to be each Adjutant and 
 
 Quartermaster) 300 ,, 
 
 The pay assigned to each being in every case stafl*- 
 pay, to be drawn in addition to the pay due to each 
 according to his rank in the general list. But though 
 an officer may hold a lower rank in the general list 
 than that which is assigned to his position in a Regi- 
 ment or in other military employment, the temporary
 
 43 
 
 rank is always to hold good for precedence and com- 
 mand during the period of employment. 
 
 For the Cavalry, the like establishment of officers 
 may be allowed, with one hundred rupees extra pay 
 to each rank, to cover the cost of horses and other 
 expenses. 
 
 For a Brigade of any strength : — 
 
 staff Pay. 
 
 1 Major General 1,000 Rs. per mensem. 
 
 1 Captain, Major of Brigade .... 400 ,, 
 
 For a Division : — 
 
 1 Lieutenant General 3,000 Rs. per mensem. 
 
 1 Lieutenant Colonel, Adjutant Ge- 
 neral 400 ,, 
 
 1 Lieutenant Colonel, Quartermas- 
 ter General 400 
 
 1 Captain, A.D.C 300 
 
 1 Major General, Adjutant General 
 
 of the Army 1,500 
 
 1 Major General, Quartermaster 
 
 General 1,500 
 
 1 Colonel, Deputy Adjutant General 500 
 
 1 Colonel, Deputy Quartermaster 
 
 General 500 
 
 Proper office establishment, &c., to be allowed to 
 commanding and staff officers; company and troop 
 allowances and contracts as usual. 
 
 All officers, when absent on leave beyond the divi- 
 sion in which they may be serving, are to receive 
 unemployed pay only; and, if other officers act for 
 them, when absent even within the division otherwise 
 than on duty, the officer acting for the absentee is to 
 receive his staff-pay in addition to his own. 
 
 Officers of the rank of Captain in the general list 
 are to be considered eligible for selection to fill any of 
 the regimental ranks or otlier appointments. Lieute- 
 nants on the general list are not to be considered eligi-
 
 44 
 
 ble for higher regimental or other mihtary appoint- 
 ments than that of Lieutenant Colonel. 
 
 At their own request, and with the approval of the 
 Regimental Commanding Officers, any unemployed 
 officers may be attached to do duty with Regiments 
 or Departments without extra pay. 
 
 The recommendation of officers commanding Regi- 
 ments, with respect to the appointment of officers to 
 fill vacancies in their corps, or to their removal there- 
 from to the unemployed list in consequence of proved 
 incapacity, &c. are to be attended to. All enlistments, 
 discharges, promotions to and reductions from all 
 ranks of Native officers and soldiers, are to rest with the 
 Colonels of Regiments, and are to be signified by them, 
 with reasons, &c., if necessary, in Regimental Orders. 
 
 Articles of War for Native Indian troops to be 
 entirely abolished. 
 
 Colonels commanding Native Indian Regiments are 
 to have full magisterial authority over all ranks of 
 Natives of India in their Regiments, — followers as well 
 as soldiers. Such powers to extend to the award and 
 infliction of imprisonment, with hard labour, for a 
 period of seven years, without the confirmation of 
 higher authority being required ; to imprisonment for 
 fourteen years, subject to the confirmation of the Ge- 
 neral Officer commanding the Brigade ; to transpor- 
 tation and capital punishment, subject to the confirma- 
 tion of the General Officer commanding the Division. 
 
 Regimental Lieutenant Colonels and Captains are 
 likewise to exercise magisterial powers under the con- 
 trol of the Colonels commanding their Regiments, and 
 to such extent as he may think proper to authorise. 
 
 In all cases involving the award of a graver punish-
 
 45 
 
 ment than three months' imprisonment with hard 
 labour, the infliction of corporal punishment above 
 twenty-five lashes, or of a fine above fifty rupees, re- 
 gular proceedings of the trials are to be recorded in 
 full, to be laid before the General Officer commanding 
 when required. 
 
 Cases of less serious nature may be dealt with sum- 
 marily, on due investigation by the Commanding 
 Officer at public regimental orderly room, A record 
 of all such proceedings is to be entered in a proper 
 book kept for that purpose, and preserved among the 
 Regimental Records for the inspection of General 
 Officers. 
 
 Colonels of Regiments are to be held strictly and 
 solely responsible to their superior ofl&cers and to the 
 State, but not to the Native Indian soldiers, for the 
 propriety of all such proceedings. 
 
 Permanent head quarters to be established for each 
 Native Indian Regiment, and complete carriage for 
 every corps to be always kept up ready for a marcli, 
 at a day's warning. 
 
 For the European Infantry, the cstal)lishmcnt of 
 officers per Regiment niEiy be : — 
 
 1 Colonel COO Us. per meiiscm. 
 
 2 Lieutenant Colonels, each .... '100 ,, 
 10 Captains 300 
 
 1 Adjutant 300 "1 To rank al)Ovc tlie 
 
 1 Quartermaster 300 J Lieutenants. 
 
 20 Lieutenants 200 Rs. per mensem. 
 
 The officers of Artillery and oi' Engineers each to 
 be borne in a separate list iq) to the rank of Colonel, 
 inclusive ; and thereafter to be incorporated in tlie 
 general list of the whole army. The senior Colonel 
 of Artillery or Engineers, when senior in the army.
 
 46 
 
 being promoted to Major General as vacancies may 
 occur. 
 
 Unemployed pay to be the same for all arms. 
 
 Employed pay, whether Regimental or Ordnance, 
 &c. to be allowed as for the Cavalry. 
 
 Each Battalion of Artillery to have field officers and 
 staff' as for an European Regiment, the numbers of 
 Captains and Lieutenants being adjusted according to 
 circumstances, to the number absent on leave, and the 
 number required for the Ordnance Department, and 
 other Artillery staff duties. All Artillery officers in 
 India to be considered as " employed" when not on 
 leave. 
 
 In the Ordnance Department, the rank and pay of 
 the various grades to be adjusted as follows : — 
 
 Senior Commissary , as Colonel. 
 
 Senior Deputy Commissary .... as Lieutenant Colonel. 
 
 Commissaries of Divisions as Captains. 
 
 Assistant Commissaries as Lieutenants. 
 
 Commandant of Artillery — Ma- 
 jor General 1,100 Rs. per mensem. 
 
 Major of Brigade — Captain .... 500 „ 
 
 Inclusive of horse allowance. 
 
 No difference of pay between Horse and Foot Artil- 
 lery. 
 
 Engineer officers attached to the Engineer corps, or 
 holding other militar}^ appointments, to be on the 
 same footing as Artillery officers ; but the duties of 
 Engineer officers in India are generally* purely civil, 
 and their salaries, &c. should be adjusted specially for 
 each appointment. 
 
 In all appointments other than military, officers will 
 receive their unemployed military pay, in addition to 
 such emolument as may be assigned to them in their 
 civil capacities ; and when absent on leave, or on any
 
 47 
 
 account other than public duty, beyond the range of 
 their immediate superior, they will receive only the 
 unemployed rates of pay. 
 
 John Jacob. 
 
 INFANTRY. 
 
 /. — The Recruiting and Composition of Corps. 
 
 1 . "What are the Races, Tribes, or Castes of which 
 the Police Infantry of the Sind Police is composed ? 
 
 All the races and tribes of the country, except the 
 Hindoos of Sind, who never bear arms. 
 
 There is also a large proportion of all classes of the 
 men from other countries in the ranks of the Police. 
 
 2. What districts are the several Races, Tribes, and 
 Castes drawn from ? 
 
 All the neighbouring countries and provinces. 
 
 3. Have any Races, Tril)es, or Castes been excluded 
 from enlistment, either by the Regulations or 
 the practice of the Sind Administration ? 
 
 No. 
 
 4. Are there any Races, Tribes, or Castes hitherto 
 neglected, or excluded from the field of Enlist- 
 ment, from whom Recruits might, with advantage, 
 be drawn for the Sind Police? 
 
 No ; individual fitness alone has been considered, no 
 objections are ever made on the score of tribe, caste, &c.
 
 48 
 
 5. What Ag;ency is employed for the enhstment of 
 Recruits in the Districts from whom the Sind 
 Police is drawn ? 
 
 The candidates offer themselves ; no agency is 
 requisite. 
 
 6. On enlistment of Recruits, what precautions of 
 Registry and other forms are observed before the 
 local Authorities of Districts ? 
 
 No special precautions are adopted or found requisite ; 
 the usual registry takes place. 
 
 7. When Recruits are enlisted in Cantonments, or 
 taken from the families of Sepoys, or the followers 
 of Regiments, what precautions (if any) are taken ? 
 
 None. 
 
 8. What alterations should be made in existing: 
 Recruiting Regulations and practice, relative to 
 Races, Tribes, or Castes (with a view to improve 
 the future composition of the Infantry of the 
 Native troops in the ) ? 
 
 None. 
 
 9. What are the words of the Oath administered to 
 the Recruit on his entering the Ranks of the ? 
 
 None used in the Sind Horse, or in the local corps, 
 that I am aware of. 
 
 1 0. How lono; has this Form been in use in the ? 
 
 & 
 
 11. Can you suggest any improvement in the 
 woi 
 the 
 
 wording or matter of the Oath administered to
 
 49 
 
 All such oaths are futile, and tend to induce the 
 recruits to suppose that it is only an oath which binds 
 him to truth. I hold all such practices in utter con- 
 tempt, and have never adopted or permitted them in 
 the Sind Irregular Horse ; but have rather endeavoured 
 to make the men feel that nothins: can be more true 
 than truth — nothing more faithful than fidelity. If a 
 soldier be base enough to rebel against his Officer, he 
 will not be bound by any oath. 
 
 12. Are there any Races, Tribes, or Castes in the 
 
 of Seafaring habits ; and could Marine 
 
 Corps be formed from such Races, Tribes, or 
 Castes ? 
 
 There are great numbers of fishermen and boatmen 
 in Sind. They are a fine race of men, but as yet they 
 have never enlisted ; they are much attached to home. 
 
 13. Has the any Marine Corps ; and, if so, of 
 
 what Strength, and whence Recruited? 
 
 No such corps in Sind. 
 
 14. Shoidd each Infantry Corps be raised, each in 
 a prescribed District, and be Recruited there and 
 there only ? 
 
 15. Or should each Corps be Recruited over a wide 
 area, in fact, without reference to Districts? 
 
 Every Infantry corps should have a permanent fixed 
 Head Quarter which should never be changed, and 
 there all recruiting should be carried on, the recruits 
 being entertained without the least regard to race, 
 tribe, caste, &c. &c., or to any considerations but those 
 of individual character and qualifications. 
 7 J
 
 50 
 
 In time the very best recruits are those born and 
 bred in the Regiments, and all tlie men's families settle 
 at Regimental Head Quarters, wherever their Native 
 country may be. 
 
 Nothing can give greater strength and security than 
 this arrangement. 
 
 Under it the corps proceeds on service with full 
 confidence that their families are left in the enjoyment 
 of every comfort and protection, and that they are well 
 cared for, hov/ever long the absence of the Regiment, 
 and however distant the service on which it may be 
 employed. 
 
 Pensioners should be mustered with their Re^-i- 
 ments, and reside at Regimental Head Quarters, and 
 when the Regiment might proceed on service an Of- 
 ficer and a small detachment should always be left at 
 Head Quarters. 
 
 16. Should each Corps be homogeneous, as to 
 Race, Tribe, or Caste ? 
 
 17. If a Corps is not homogeneous will it be desira- 
 ble that the Companies of which it is composed 
 should be, so far as may be possible, homogeneous, 
 each Company consisting of men of one Tribe or 
 Caste ? 
 
 Or should the Tribes and Castes be mixed up in each 
 Company ? 
 
 18. If Corps are not homogeneous but composite, 
 in what proportion should the Races, Tribes, or 
 Castes be entertained ? 
 
 19. If separate Corps are to be maintained for 
 Military and Police purposes, should the Recruiting 
 for jjoth be allowed in the same District, or kept
 
 51 
 
 to separate Districts, or should Police Cor|)s ])e 
 Recruited from a wide area without reference to 
 Districts ? 
 No differences of tribes, caste, &c. should ever be 
 
 acknowledjred ; individual fitness should alone be con- 
 
 sidered. 
 
 20. ^yould you regard Police Corps as Nurseries 
 from which men might be drawn for the Army 
 Corps ? 
 
 No ; the Policemen should never be taught to look 
 on themselves as soldiers ; they should not be com- 
 bative. 
 
 21. What Agency should be employed for Re- 
 cruitino; for the Sind Police ? 
 
 No special agency is required. 
 
 22. Would you employ the same kind of Agency 
 for Recruiting for Police Corps, or a distinct 
 Agency ? 
 
 I would leave all such matters wholly to Command- 
 ino; Officers. 
 
 23. What precautions should be taken before the 
 local Authorities or thr()ugh their instrumen- 
 tality in connection with Recruits for the Army 
 of ? 
 
 None. 
 
 24. Should similar or different precautions be 
 taken in connection with Recruits for Police 
 Corps in Sind before tlie locjd Authorities of the 
 Districts from whence the Police are drawn ? 
 
 None required.
 
 52 
 
 25. Will it be expedient to enlist Natives of other 
 Tropical countries equally qualified for Service in 
 India, with the Natives of the country, and if so, 
 should they be formed in separate Regiments, or 
 in Companies, or otherwise ? 
 
 No. 
 
 26. If recourse be had to Recruit in other Tropical 
 Countries, which are the Countries and Races to 
 be preferred ? 
 
 27. What would be the best Agency to employ for 
 such Recruiting ? 
 
 28. Should a Company or Companies of Europeans 
 form a component part of Native Regiments ? 
 
 Certainly not. 
 
 29. If so, should such Company or Companies be 
 Enlisted for this special purpose, or be composed 
 of men selected from European Corps serving in 
 India, or be integral portions of European Corps, 
 and subject to periodical relief? 
 
 The arrangement is utterly bad in principle, it is, 
 therefore, useless to discuss details. 
 
 30. Where should the Barracks of such Companies 
 be placed relatively to the Lines of the Native 
 Troops ? 
 
 Answered above. 
 
 31. Would such Detachments seriously complicate 
 Commissariat arrangements ? 
 
 Hopelessly so.
 
 53 
 
 32. How should such Companies be Armed, with 
 similar or different Weapons from the Native 
 Troops with whom they would be associated ? 
 
 33. How should the Native Infantry of the be 
 
 Armed ? 
 
 All Infantry soldiers should be armed with short 
 double-barrel rifles. 
 
 34. How should Police Corps in Sind be Ai-med ? 
 
 According to the work required of the men in each 
 particular localit}^ The Rural Police with common 
 muskets ; the Town Police with staves. 
 
 35. Do the advantages of making the Dress of the 
 Native Soldier a close imitation of that of the Eu- 
 ropean Soldier counterbalance the disadvantages ? 
 
 There are no advantages whatever. The disadvan- 
 tages are very great. This question is answered in 
 detail above. 
 
 36. How should the Native Infantry of the Sind 
 Police be Dressed with a view to the comfort and 
 efficiency of the Native Soldier ? 
 
 Answered above. 
 
 37. It has been proposed that to every European 
 local Regiment, a Native Irregular Regiment, 
 Officered from that European Regiment alone, 
 should be attached. What is your opinion upon 
 the proposed combination of an European and an 
 Auxiliary Native Regular or Irregular Corps of 
 Infantry in close and permanent association ? 
 
 Answered above.
 
 54 
 
 38. Do you consider that the association of Euro- 
 pean Artillerj^men witli Gun Lascars and Native 
 Drivers, present any analogy with such an arrange- 
 ment, and any encouragement to adopt it ? 
 
 Answered above. 
 
 39. How would you dispose of the Barracks and 
 Lines of the two associated Corps ? 
 
 Answered above. 
 
 40. Would such a system be favorable or the 
 reverse to that vioiiance which has become 
 essential, and to the maintenance of that awe of 
 European Troops which is an element of Strength ? 
 
 Answered above. 
 
 4L How would such an arrangement dovetail with 
 the requirements of the Service in Peace and War 1 
 
 Answered above. 
 
 42. Is it desirable that the Native Troops should 
 acquire a spirit of confidence and self-reliance, or 
 be systematically trained to act independence 
 upon European support, and which sentiment 
 would be fostered by the system of Auxiliary Na- 
 tive Battalions, in permanent association with 
 European Corps ? 
 
 Answered above. 
 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier. 
 Pol Supdt.'s Office, Jacohahad, 27th June 1858.
 
 55 
 
 //. — Military Code and Rules of Discipline. 
 
 1. Can you suggest improvements in the Articles 
 of War in use in the Native Army of the Bombay 
 Presidency ? 
 
 I would abolish them in toto. These Articles of 
 AVar are simply mischievous. 
 
 2. Should the special Rules, regulating punishments 
 in the Native Army, be retained, or should they 
 be assimilated to the Rules which obtain in the 
 British Army ? 
 
 They are entirely opposed to every oriental idea of 
 Government. 
 
 3. Does the system of Native Courts Martial work 
 satisfactorily in the Bombay Army ? 
 
 The system appears to me to involve the unspeakable 
 absurdity of an assemljly of Native Officers judging 
 between the English Commandant and the men under 
 his command. 
 
 4. What' means are adopted to acquaint the Native 
 Troops of the Bombay Army v/ith the Military 
 Code under wliicli they live and are governed ? 
 
 The Articles of War are read to the Troops every 
 month. 
 
 5. What proportion of the Native Troops can read 
 for themselves, in the Vernacular dialect, the 
 Articles of War ? 
 
 I should think about one-half.
 
 56 
 
 6. Under what Military or Civil Code are Police 
 Corps in the Bombay Presidency ? 
 
 No code that I am aware of. 
 
 7. How is Discipline maintained, and the Authority 
 of Officers, European and Native, upheld in Police 
 Corps in the Bombay Presidency ? 
 
 I do not know enough of the details of the arrange- 
 ments in the Police Corps in Bombay to answer these 
 questions. 
 
 8. Do j'^ou consider that the provision made for 
 maintaining the Discipline of Police Corps, and 
 the Authority of their European and Native Officers 
 sufficient, and the working satisfactory ? 
 
 The corps themselves are very different from each 
 other as to orgfanisation and all else. 
 
 '&^ 
 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier. 
 
 //. — Alilitary Code and Rules of DiscipUne. 
 Nos. 1 to 5. No replies required. 
 
 6. Under what Military or Civil Code are Police 
 Corps in Sind. 
 
 No Code.
 
 57 
 
 7. How is discipline maintained, and the authority 
 of Officers, European and Native, upheld in Police 
 Corps in Sind ? 
 
 By the common sense of the Captains and Lieu- 
 tenants of Police. 
 
 8. Do you consider that the provision made for 
 maintaining the discipline of Police Corps, and 
 the authority of their European and Native Offi- 
 cers sufficient, and the working satisfactory ? 
 
 Yes. 
 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier. 
 
 ///. Orgajiisation, Promotion, and Rewards. 
 
 1. In the Native Regiments of the Bombay Army 
 what is the system of Promotion, is it based on 
 Merit alone ; on Seniority alone ; or on Merit and 
 Seniority combined ? 
 
 Merit and seniority combined. 
 
 2. Are the Native Officers of the Native Infantry 
 of the Bombay Army generally intelligent, useful, 
 and efficient ? 
 
 I think that they are far more so tlian could have 
 been justly expected under the organisation of our 
 Native Regiments. 
 
 8 J
 
 58 
 
 3. Are their acquirements usually of a higher 
 grade than those of the men from amongst whom 
 they have risen ? 
 
 Undoubtedly they generally are so. 
 
 4. Is there any Test or Examination prior to pro- 
 motions to a Commissioned grade, or in promo- 
 tion from one Commissioned grade to another ? 
 
 No special examination is used I believe, but the 
 man's whole service is an examination. 
 
 5. Does the intervention of the Native Officers, 
 between the European Officers and their men, 
 weaken the influence of the European Officers ? 
 
 Does a full complement of the European militate 
 against the professional efficiency of the Native 
 Commissioned Officer? 
 
 Nothing can possibly weaken the influence of 
 English Officers but their own want of moral power, or 
 their being prohibited from exerting it. 
 
 The present organisation of our Native Regiments is 
 utterly destructive of that moral power, and very greatly 
 injurious also to the developement of the jDOwers of the 
 Native Officers. 
 
 6. Has it been found in the Bombay Army 
 that, on the occurrence of Mutinies, the Native 
 Officers have given timely information, or been 
 of any use in aiding the European Officers to 
 check Mutiny? 
 
 Have the Native Officers sided with the European 
 Officers ?
 
 59 
 
 I am not in a position to answer as regards the 
 Bombay Army generally. Among my own soldiers 
 of the Sind Irregular Horse the feeling and conduct 
 of the Native Officers has been exactly similar to the 
 feelings and conduct of the European Officers; and the 
 men have behaved just as the best English soldiers 
 mioht have done. 
 
 o 
 
 7. Should the grades of Native Commissioned 
 Officers be continued or discontinued in the Native 
 Infantry of the Bombay Army ? 
 
 8. Is the substitution of an European Serjeant and 
 Corporal to each Company of a Native Regiment 
 in lieu of its Native Officers advisable ? 
 
 The Native Officers, under a proper organisation, 
 would be the very nerves of the whole body of which 
 the sepoys formed the bones and muscles, and the Eu- 
 ropean gentlemen the brains. A Native soldier should 
 never be associated in the same corps with Europeans, 
 other than gentlemen, he should only observe the Eu- 
 ropean Officers holding high and important posts and 
 being worthy of such positions. 
 
 9. If the abolition of the grade of Native Commis- 
 sioned Officers be advisable, and the prospect of 
 distinction and emolument thus closed to the 
 Native j^oldier, would a graduated scale of Good 
 Service Pay and Retiring Pensions, claimable after 
 specified periods of services, be a compensating 
 encouragement, and as efficacious as the Commis- 
 sioned grades? 
 
 My ideas on these subjects have been, for long past, 
 in print before the world, and it seems to me that
 
 60 
 
 I cannot better answer these questions than by giving* 
 the following extracts from my published works : — 
 
 " Extracts from Tracts on the Native Army of India, 
 by Brigadier GeneralJohn Jacob, C.B." — Smith, 
 Elder, and Co., London, 1857. 
 
 " There is one erroneous opinion, with regard to our 
 Native Indian troops, which would appear unworthy 
 of notice, were it not that it has lately proceeded from 
 those considered to be high authorities on these matters, 
 but who, in truth, were totally ignorant of the feelings 
 and springs of action of our Indian soldiery. 
 
 " I allude to the often expressed opinion, that, if we 
 were to make too much of our Native Officers, they 
 would take the command from us. Nothing can 
 possibly be more unfounded, — more contrary to truth, 
 than such an idea. We hold India by being, in reality, 
 as in reputation, a superior race to the Asiatic. If this 
 natural superiority did not exist, we should not, and 
 could not, retain the country for one week. 
 
 " Whatever tends to make European gentlemen 
 ' cheap,' to lessen their evident value, to hold up their 
 vices rather than their virtues, to the view of the Na- 
 tive, to show them to the Indians only in inferior posi- 
 tions, where their powers are not called forth, and 
 where they have little influence for good, must tend 
 to destroy, in no slight degree, the hold which we have 
 on the people. 
 
 " Whatever raises the European character in the eyes 
 of the Natives of India, and in reality must greatly 
 add to our security and power. 
 
 " The Native Officers feel the greatest devotion and 
 gratitude towards their European Commanders who
 
 61 
 
 most succeed in raising their character and position. 
 The more the European is able to improve them the 
 greater does he appear in their estimation. Tliey can- 
 not govern themselves ; they are too proud to submit 
 to an equal, but they will all with the greatest delight 
 and pride submit to the English gentleman, whom 
 they ail acknowledge and feel to be their superior. 
 
 " If we really are a morally superior race, governed 
 by higher motives and possessing higher attributes 
 than the Asiatics, the more the Natives of India are 
 able to understand us, the more they will know and 
 feel this, and the firmer will be our power, 
 
 " The seniority system, so far from being just, is the 
 greatest possible injustice to the really deserving men, 
 while it holds out the greatest possible encouragement 
 to the lazy, the idle, and the good-for-nothing. Throw 
 everything open to fair competition, and let the best 
 man win. This is the style of justice which sepoys 
 and all other men really like Ijest in their hearts. Let 
 there be no favouritism, but let the European Officers 
 honestly and continually endeavour to choose the best 
 men for promotion, and the best possible feeling will 
 assuredly be created and maintained between them 
 and their Native soldiers. 
 
 " The real error is in employing such numbers of 
 costly Europeans in command of Native companies, 
 whose duties would be just as well or better performed 
 by Native Officers properly chosen, and foruied in a 
 good school. 
 
 " The great number of European Officers now allow- 
 ed prevents the Native Officer, whatever his merit, froui 
 attaining a responsible or very respectable position in 
 the Army, thereby keeping out of its ranks Natives of
 
 62 
 
 birth, wealth, and family, and preventing in the Native 
 soldier the full development of that love for and pride 
 in the service, which are essential to great efficiency. 
 
 " There are already too many European Officers with 
 reference to regimental duties only. A certain number 
 of European Officers is necessary, but very few suffice. 
 Three to a regiment actually present is, perhaps, the 
 best number. The duties of subaltern officers, and 
 even of Captains of troops and companies, are most 
 efficiently performed by Native Officers. 
 
 " If there were but one European Officer in a regi- 
 ment, he would, if possessed of proper qualifications, 
 and if entrusted with proper power and authority, soon 
 form around him such a body of Native Officers as 
 would make the corps far more effective under the one 
 Englishman, than it could be under any number of 
 Europeans who held the opinions with regard to Native 
 troops which now, to a great extent, prevail. 
 
 " The want of power entrusted to regimental Com- 
 manders is one erroneous evil now existing in our 
 Native Army. It is, perhaps, a necessary consequence 
 of another very great error. 
 
 " The seniority rise among the Officers of a Native re- 
 giment, originally appointed at hazard, renders it im- 
 possible at present to ensure their being at the head of 
 each Native regiment a man capable of wielding the 
 powers necessary to govern it efficiently and well. 
 
 " It is quite possible to select for a large army, when 
 the matter is rightly understood. It is the quantity of 
 power given out by the European brains, not the num- 
 ber of European bodies employed, which controls the 
 Native soldiers. 
 
 " The posting of Officers to Native regiments, without
 
 63 
 
 regard to qualification, is a proceeding attended with 
 ruinous consequences. 
 
 " The presence of unselected Europeans, in such 
 numbers, as are at present borne on the strength of 
 Native corps of the hne, is not less ruinous. 
 
 " Qualifications, not numbers, are necessary for the 
 leaders of Native Indian soldiers. One active, energetic, 
 right-feeling, and right-thinking English gentleman 
 can, even when alone, infuse an excellent spirit into 
 thousands of these Eastern soldiers, till they will follow 
 him amywhere, obey him in all things, and feel the 
 greatest pride in acting in his absence, as they know 
 he would wish them to do if present. 
 
 " The feelings thus engendered are most powerful and 
 most honorable. 
 
 " The Native Officers and men feel the deepest grati- 
 tude towards him who has raised their moral, intellec- 
 tual, and worldly position, and are actuated by the 
 strongest wish and energetic zeal, to show that they 
 are worthy of the respectable position in which they 
 find themselves. 
 
 " With thirty European, on the contrary, instead of 
 one, the Native Officer finds himself of no importance, 
 and the sepoy becomes a lifeless automaton. 
 
 " The Enerlishman l)ecomes too common to be held in 
 proper and wholesome respect. He is seen holding no 
 important position ]>ut in the performance of trifiing 
 duties, which any Native Oflficer or Non-Commissioned 
 Officer would do equally well. 
 
 " He is often seen idling away his time in frivolous, 
 or wasting his energies in vicious pursuits. 
 
 " The prestige of the superior ra(;e is thus destroyed, 
 while it too often happens that the European Officer,
 
 H4 
 
 having nothing- important to occupy him, loses some- 
 what of his own self-respect. 
 
 " The young boy is placed in command of the old 
 Subadar, from whom, when anything is to be done, he 
 has to crave instruction ; and the men see that, so far 
 from taking a pride in them and in the service, their 
 European Officers are generally longing to be removed 
 from them, craving intensely for staff' appointments, &;c. 
 
 " The example of the idle, the evil minded, and the 
 indifferent does more harm than the good can remedy. 
 To be in a healthy state, the Native soldier should 
 never see his European Officer living an idle, useless 
 life, or holding a degraded or unimportant position. 
 
 " While the European Officer should be proud of his 
 men, and, as Sir J. Malcolm most justly observed 
 (Government of India, Appendix E., paragraph 25), it 
 should be arranged that the command of Native corps 
 should be the most sought after of all existing appoint- 
 ments." 
 
 10. Have Retiring Pensions proved effectual in 
 attaching the Native Troops to the British Service ? 
 
 The beneficial effect of retiring pensions has been 
 greatly injured by the troublesome forms which have 
 to be gone through regarding them, but they certainly 
 have been of very considerable effect notwithstanding. 
 
 1 1 . Should not the system of Promotion, generally, 
 by Seniority to the grades of Native Commissioned 
 Officers (if these are retained), be altered, and Pro- 
 motion for merit and efficiency be the rule ? 
 
 Yes ; this question is answered above in the extracts 
 given from published works.
 
 65 
 
 12. Should the system of Pensions, as now in force 
 by Regulation, be maintained, or modified, or 
 prospectively abolished ? 
 
 Each Regiment should have a fixed Head Quarter, 
 and there all its Pensioners should reside ; they should, 
 in fact, remain attached to the Regiment, and under 
 the Regimental Commander only. 
 
 13. What is the Charge to the State of Military 
 Pensions to Native Officers and Men of the Native 
 Infantry of the Bombay Army ? 
 
 I cannot say. 
 
 14. Are Native Commissioned Officers generally 
 fit to take part in Courts Martial ? 
 
 In the Bombay Army they are so, generally, I 
 believe. 
 
 15. Are Native Commissioned Officers on a par 
 with European Serjeants and Corporals in })rofes- 
 sional intelligence and efficiency ? 
 
 The Native Officers of the Sind Irregular Horse are 
 quite equal to any European subaltern in the perform- 
 ance of their ordinary duties, and very far superior 
 to the usual average of English private soldiers. The 
 qualifications of the Native Officers of the Bombay 
 Army generally, must, of course, be proportionate to 
 the care bestowed on their selection, and the impor- 
 tance of the duties entrusted to them. 
 
 16. 17, and 18. 
 
 All these questions are answered above. 
 
 1!). In Police Corps, is there on first admission 
 9 J
 
 ()6 
 
 any test or examination as to capabilities of read- 
 ing and writing ? or are qualifications tested on 
 promotion to Non-Commissioned grades ? or on 
 promotion to Commissioned grades ? 
 
 I cannot say. 
 
 20. Has the distinct Organisation, and the dif- 
 ference of System, Regidations, and component 
 Races in the three Native Armies, proved favour- 
 able to our power in India ? 
 
 It certainly has to this extent, that had " assimila- 
 tion with the practice in Bengal," which has been 
 forced on the other two Armies with such injurious 
 effect for the last quarter of a century, been carried 
 a very little further, the Indian Empire must have 
 been totally lost to England. 
 
 2 1 . Should a certain degree of distinctness of Sys- 
 tem, Organisation, and Composition, according to 
 the views of separate Governments, to time, and to 
 local circumstances, be allowed, or, should endea- 
 vours be made to assimilate or even to amalga- 
 mate the three Armies ? 
 
 The organisation should be the same in principle 
 in all. The details should vary to suit the wants of 
 each locality, of which the local Government should 
 solely judge, there should be no attempt to amalgamate, 
 and none to assimilate to anything but the dictates of 
 wisdom and common sense. 
 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier.
 
 67 
 
 IV .—European Officers. 
 
 1. Within your experience, have the poAvers of 
 Commanding Officers of Native Corps been in- 
 creased or diminished in the Bombay Army ? and 
 state the orders, or measures, or changes, in the 
 practice of the Service to which you attribute such 
 effect ? 
 
 2. During the above period, have the powers of 
 Officers of European or Native Corps been in- 
 creased or diminished ? 
 
 3. What has been the result of the increase or 
 diminution of the powers and influence of Com- 
 manding Officers of Corps upon the discipline of 
 Corps in the Native Infantry of the Bombay 
 Army ? 
 
 4. What has been the result of the increase or 
 diminution of the influence of Captains or Officers 
 in charge of companies ? 
 
 1 to 4. At the end of the last century, a new orga- 
 nisation was introduced into the Native Indian Armv, 
 which was then, in fact, completely remodelled. 
 
 . Up to this time, each Battalion of sepoys had been 
 commanded by a Captain selected from an European 
 corps of the Indian Army. Thenceforth, the number 
 of European Officers was increased nearly to the present 
 complement, and then the rule of regulation commenc- 
 ed to supersede that of individual character. 
 
 The change then commenced has continued to 
 increase until Regulation wholly superseded com- 
 mon sense, and reason, and centralization destroyed 
 every vestige of personal influence and individual
 
 (is 
 
 power. It would l)e useless to allude to particular 
 orders ; since the date above mentioned the system of 
 centralisation and blind regulation has, gradually, but 
 unceasingly, been growing to the perfection in which 
 it was lately seen before the largest of our three Indian 
 Armies fell to pieces. 
 
 All vital power, all good feeling, all personal attach- 
 ment, all binding force of reason and moral sense, had 
 been eradicated from our Native Army. 
 
 The outward appearance, the showy form, the mecha- 
 nical discipline were greatly improved, but the ties 
 wdiich formerly bound the sepoy to his English Officer, 
 completely destroyed — a tradition of them hardly re- 
 mained, and, on the least shake given from without, the 
 whole fabric fell to pieces. 
 
 Our system had at last destroyed the commanding, 
 the administrative, the organizing powers of our 
 English Officers on the one hand, while it tended to 
 make the Native Indian soldiers less obedient, less 
 inclined to submit to our rule, on the other. 
 
 5. Upon what does the discipline of a Corps upon 
 service mainly depend, especially of a Native Corps? 
 Upon the distant authority of Head Quarters ? or 
 upon the authority and influence of Officers in 
 Command of Companies and of the Commanding 
 Officer of the Regiment ? 
 
 The real, effective, and only useful discipline of a 
 Native Indian corps, whether on service or otherwise, 
 depends solely on the moral power and influence which 
 the English Commander brings to bear on the sepoy. 
 
 6. Should the power of Commanding Officers and
 
 69 
 
 of Officers in charge of Companies be increased or 
 diminished ? 
 
 The power of the English Commanding Officer 
 should be very greatly increased. The Officers Com- 
 manding companies should be Natives of India. 
 
 7. What other measures can you suggest for the 
 improvement of discipline ? 
 
 Few European Officers to be appointed to Native 
 Regiments, and those carefully selected for such ap- 
 pointments ; full power to Commanding Officers, aboli- 
 tion of Regulation and centralization. 
 
 o 
 
 8. Is the influence of the European Officers among 
 Native Troops greatest in time of Peace, or in time 
 of War. 
 
 The influence of the higher class of English mind, 
 when fairly and freely brought to bear on the Oriental, 
 is at all times absolute; but the effect of such influ- 
 ence will, of course, be most apparent when there is 
 most to be done, and most to be dared and endured. 
 
 9. What conclusion do you draw as to the course 
 to be pursued with Native troops in times of 
 Peace, with regard to the strength at which 
 Regiments should be maintained, the occupation 
 
 to be found for tlumi, and tlie like? 
 
 I think that eight hundred (800) is about the best 
 strength for a Regiment in time of Peace. In War, I 
 would add two or more companies, which sliould re- 
 main at Regimental Head (^iiaitcis, ;nid from these 
 casualties should be supplied, as often as circumstances
 
 70 
 
 might allow — all irt'i'iiits hciiio;' entertained at the 
 permanent Hegimental Head Quarters. 
 
 No occiij)ati()n is ever wanting in a well trained and 
 well instructed llegiment ; continual exercise is requisite 
 to perfect order. 
 
 10. Has the strength of tlie Native Infantry of the 
 Bomhay Army ever been so great in times of Peace 
 that it might have been in part employed other- 
 Avise than on mere Military duties ? 
 
 I do not think so to any great extent, but I have 
 several times known Regiments to be so employed with 
 advantage. Both the 21st and the 18th Regiments 
 Bombay N. I., to my personal knowledge, built their 
 own lines and houses for their Officers in Sind — mixing 
 the mud, moulding the bricks, and doing every species 
 of work themselves. 
 
 11. Would it have been practicable to employ the 
 Troops upon Public Works ? 
 
 Not without great increase of numbers — they have 
 generally been fully employed on their ordinary mili- 
 tary -duties. 
 
 12. In apportioning European Officers to Native 
 Troops — 
 
 1st. — Should Native Corps have a full complement 
 of European Officers according to the present scale, 
 besides a full complement of Native Commissioned 
 Officers ; or, 
 
 2nd. — A full complement of European Officers and 
 no Native Commissioned Officers ; or, 
 
 3rd. — A smaller number of European Officers than at 
 present, and a full complement of Native Officers ?
 
 71 
 
 Four European Officers are ample for each Native 
 Regiment. The Commanders of companies and their 
 subaltern being Native Officers. 
 
 13. If a full complement of European Officers, 
 would you attach Cadets at once to Native Corps, 
 or first to European Corps ? 
 
 Yes. 
 
 14. If a smaller number of English Officers be as- 
 signed to Native Corps, how would you train 
 them for this special employment ? 
 
 Officers for Native corps should be appointed by 
 careful selection from the general roll of the Army. 
 
 15. Is the efficiency of Regiments affected by the 
 number of Officers taken from Corps for Staff em- 
 ployment ? 
 
 16. Speaking from your own experience, has any 
 difference been observable in the course of Muti- 
 nies, between the conduct of Regiments with few, 
 and those with many European Officers present ? 
 
 17. How can the demand for European Officers for 
 Staff and Detached employment be best provided 
 for without injuring the efficiency of Regiments ? 
 
 Questions Nos. 15, IG, and 17 are best answered, 
 I think, by an extract from a published work of mine 
 given below. 
 
 18. Would it be advantageous to tiu; eflicicncy of 
 the Officers of the Army as Regimental Officers, to 
 cut off the inducement which the hope of Staff 
 employment affords to young men to (juahlV
 
 72 
 
 themselves in languages, sciences, and special 
 branches useful to the State ? 
 
 It would, I think, be fatal to whatever may remain 
 of efficiency under the present organisation, but the 
 rule should be to select for Native Regiments, not 
 from them. 
 
 19. Would the standard of acquirements amongst 
 the Officers of the Army at large be lowered by 
 any measure having such a tendency ? 
 
 Answered above. 
 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier. 
 
 Extract from a published Work alluded to above. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 The cause of the late failure of the Native Army is 
 inherent in our modern Indian Military system. We 
 have, more especially since the great Madras Mutiny 
 in 1809, which was organised by the English Officers 
 with their Commander in Chief at their head, sedu- 
 lously persisted in separating the sepoy from his Euro- 
 pean regimental superiors. We have endeavoured 
 to place him directly " en rapport" with Government 
 and the Commander in Chief, who are generally as 
 myths to the Native Indian soldier, and have made 
 him despise his own European Officers, and cease to 
 regard them as superiors.
 
 73 
 
 This state of things acts and re-acts on both parties ; 
 and, perhaps, the most fatal effect of long persistence in 
 the system we have pursued, is the actual degradation 
 of the European mind, which follows on the stagna- 
 tion which it produces. 
 
 Without due exercise, the strongest natural powers 
 fade and disappear. Slavery unfits men for freedom, 
 and the power of commanding comes with the exercise 
 of command. 
 
 The Natives of India are quite incapable of self- 
 government. They do not, in the least, understand 
 Avhat it means. They cannot conceive that a subject 
 can have any rights whatever not dependent on the 
 favour of the Sovereign. They expect their Sovereign 
 to govern them absolutely, and according to his own 
 superior knowledge and ability, not according to their 
 instructions. 
 
 \Ye have never appeared to them to have acted as 
 Sovereigns in India ; we have, on the contrary, shown 
 what must appear to the Asiatic to be marks of fear, 
 and of distrust of our own rights, throughout our whole 
 administration. We hold India as foreign superiors 
 only ; but we have been perpetually proclaiming to the 
 Natives of India that they are our equals, that we only 
 rule as their representatives, and by their sufferance, 
 that they are not bound to obey us, and that we have 
 no right to command. 
 
 Our " regulations," civil and military, are all to the 
 same effect. 
 
 The English soldier, as a free citizen, is on an equa- 
 lity with liis Officer. He has rights as such wliich he 
 well understands, and whicli he is able to make use of; 
 and a portion of such rights lie voluntarily surrenders 
 10 J
 
 74 
 
 on ontcriiit; the Anny. Our Mutiny Act defines what 
 portion of such rights he thus surrenders ; and he 
 retains all others. 
 
 The pre-existing quality is the very essence of the 
 Articles of War. 
 
 But this equality is precisely what docs not exist 
 with respect to the Indian soldier. He does not even 
 pretend to such equality ; he understands nothing 
 about it. In his ordinary condition, before enlisting 
 as a soldier, he must either be a despot himself or be 
 subject to despotic rule. It is indeed only because the 
 European Officer is a superior being, b}^ nature, to the 
 Asiatic, that we hold India at all. 
 
 The Native of India enters our service without an 
 idea beyond that of implicit obedience to his Officers 
 being his duty. He cannot even imagine any other 
 state of things, if the Officers are to have authority over 
 him at all. 
 
 But the effect of our regulations is such, that, after 
 entering the service, he soon perceives that his Officers 
 are quite powerless, and their demeanour, formed in 
 the regulation school, shows that they do not expect him 
 to be unhesitatingly obedient. 
 
 Nothing can be weaker than this. Such a state of 
 things must tend to develop the worst qualities of both 
 parties — Native and European. 
 
 The Army is, therefore, not bound together by any 
 strong internal force, and the least pressure from with- 
 out causes it to fall to pieces. 
 
 Under the arrangement indicated above it will, ere 
 long, be discovered, what each Officer, on the general 
 list, may be fit for ; and he may then be employed ac- 
 cordingly to the greatest advantage.
 
 75 
 
 If, on fair trial, he appears to l)e totally useless, let 
 liim be removed, and let him retire on full or half-pay, 
 according to his period of service ; but, in the variety 
 of work required to be performed in India, this will rarely 
 be requisite. 
 
 It is essential to the successful working of the 
 organisation here proposed, that the Officers on the 
 unemployed list should be fairly and even liberally 
 paid. The presence alone of a number of English 
 gentlemen in India is attended with much advantage 
 to the British government ; and these should have the 
 means of living respectably, and of pursuing those 
 studies and occupations which may qualify them for 
 puljlic employment in this country. 
 
 Under a system by which every man must feel that 
 his standing and advancement in the service, and in 
 society, depended wholly on his own industry, acquire- 
 ments, and cultivated natural talents, the greatest pos- 
 sible amount of mental power and moral growth 
 must he developed, and while the numbers of Europeans 
 in the public service in India might even ultimately be 
 much reduced, their commanding jwwer would be very 
 greatly, almost infinitely, increased. 
 
 Where cases of abuse of power occur — as occur they 
 must and will — let them be dealt with indivitlually ; 
 avoid, as much as possil)le, making general regula- 
 tions, which destroy all healthy freedom of action and 
 mental development. 
 
 We shoidd avoid striving too much after outward 
 uniformity. The same just ])rinci])les, ap])li('(l ("(jually 
 well and with equally succcssi'ul results by diH'erent men, 
 may cause different arrangements with respect to 
 uiiiiiipoi'lant (Iclails.
 
 7H 
 
 No two loa\ OS on a tree may be exactly alike, but the 
 same vital jjroccss has produced all from the same 
 materials. To force all the leaves, or all men's minds, 
 into one mould, must be equally fatal to vegetable life 
 and to mental power. 
 
 Let the system be such as to tend to cultivate and to 
 develope such power. Let men apply their powers 
 in the manner they find best adapted to produce the 
 desired effect, and let them be strictly responsible for 
 the results. 
 
 If Officers will not exert themselves, or if they have 
 done their best in vain, and the results are unsatisfactory, 
 such Officers are in their wrong places, and should at 
 once be removed to the unemployed list, until work 
 more fitted for their powers be ready for them. 
 
 The obvious objection to the organisation proposed, 
 is the difficulty of finding properly qualified Officers for 
 the higher positions. But it is certain that time will 
 speedily remedy this ; the school will form such Officers, 
 and nothing else will do so. 
 
 We must expect to meet with some difficulties at 
 first in remedying such long continued and deep sealed 
 errors ; but, if our principles of action be sound, their 
 tendency in practice will be gradually to bring about 
 the best possible state of affairs. 
 
 However the details may be arranged and carried 
 out, it appears to be quite certain that until such prin- 
 ciples as are here maintained be acknowledged, and be 
 acted on, the British Indian Empire can never be in a 
 sound or satisfactory condition. 
 
 I have studied the subject for a long series of years 
 with all the patient research and observation, and with 
 all the power of thought, which I could bring to bear
 
 // 
 
 on it. I have had, in practice, opportunities of apply- 
 ing, on a tolerably extensive scale, the principles which 
 I advocate, such as have fallen to the lot of few men 
 living. These principles have never failed of success 
 in working. They are of universal application, being 
 founded on natural laws ; and if carried out fairly in 
 India, they must and would speedily render our Asiatic 
 soldiers quite as trustworthy as their European brethren 
 in arms. 
 
 The goodness of the sepoy depends on what his 
 English Officer instils into him. The raw material 
 has no power for good, and very little for evil. The 
 Native Indian soldiers are to us collectively exactly 
 what our limbs are to our individual bodies. 'They are 
 the bones and muscles of the whole frame, of which the 
 European gentlemen are the brains and nerves ; and 
 where the latter are healthy and vigorous, the former 
 will always be perfectly obedient and strong only to do 
 our bidding. 
 
 ///. — Organisation, Promotion, and Rewards. 
 
 Nos. 1 to IG. No replies required. 
 
 1 7. How should the Sind Police Corps be Officered, 
 the question applying l)oth to Eurojx'an and 
 Native Commissioned Grades ? 
 
 There should be a Superintendent of Police for the 
 whole Province, and an Assistant Superintendent to 
 aid him in his duties.
 
 7(S 
 
 A Ca))tain and a Lieutenant of Police in eacli Col- 
 lectorate or Division of the Province. 
 
 18. If Irregular Corps and Police Corps have 
 Native Commissioned Officers, and Regular Corps 
 have no Native Commissioned Officers, but only 
 Good Service Pay and Pensions as an incitement 
 to good conduct and efficiency, will the higher 
 pay to Privates and Non-Commissioned Officers 
 suffice to render the Regular as popular as the 
 Irregular and Police Corps, and to draw as good 
 Recruits ? 
 
 Native Officers appear to me to be absolutely essen- 
 tial to the efficiency of all. 
 
 19. In Sind Police Corps, is there, on first admis- 
 sion, any test or examination as to capabilities of 
 reading and writing ? or, are qualifications tested 
 on promotion to Non-Commissioned Grades ? or 
 on promotion to Commissioned Grades ? 
 
 No, I believe not. 
 
 20 and 21. No replies required. 
 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier.
 
 79 
 
 No. 362 OF 1858. 
 
 From Brigadier General J. Jacob, C.B., 
 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier, 
 To Colonel H. M. Durand, C.B., 
 
 On Special duty with the Governor General, 
 
 Allahabad. 
 
 Dated Jacobahad, 21th June 1858. 
 
 Sir, 
 I have the honour to return my replies to the ques- 
 tions received v/ithj^our letter No. 60, of the 16th June, 
 to my address. 
 
 I have the honour to be, &;c. 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier. 
 
 Pol. Supdt's Office, Jacohahad, 21th June 1858. 
 
 Allahabad, 2dth May 1858. 
 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 Though a series of questions having reference to 
 Cavalry will reach you in the course of a short time, I 
 should feel ol)liged for your opinion on a point which 
 is really of importance at the })resent moment. 
 
 In India we are never likely to have too much Euro-
 
 80 
 
 ])C'aii Cavalry allowed on the Establishment, and if the 
 opinions of some distinguished British and Foreign 
 Cavalry Officers be correct, onr available means mioht 
 be made to go further by an innovation which is often 
 advocated, 
 
 I allude to the objections urged against the normal 
 formation of Cavalry being in two ranks, instead of a 
 single rank. Very excellent and experienced Officers 
 both of her Majesty's and of the Honorable Company's 
 Cavalry have repeatedly remarked upon the advan- 
 tao;es of the sino;le rank formation. I should like to 
 have your opinion, and on what reasons it is based. 
 
 Manifestly it would be very advantageous to Govern- 
 ment to have ten corps of Dragoons of a strength of 
 400 sabres each, instead of five or six corps of 800 or 
 700 sabres, but this depends on the efficiency in con- 
 flict of the single rank formation ; various other con- 
 siderations affect the question, though, after all, that 
 War test is the main one. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 (Signed) H. M. Durand, Lieut. Col. 
 To Brigadier General J, Jacob, C.B. 
 &c. &c. &c. 
 
 Jacobahad, dih June 1858. 
 
 My dear Sir, 
 Your letter of 29th May reached me this morning. 
 I have a strong and deliberately formed opinion that 
 very little European Cavalry is required in India, and
 
 81 
 
 that, even man for man, a properly organised Native 
 Cavalry is preferable, and more powerful, for the work 
 to be performed in this country, 
 
 I should not have recommended having more than 
 one Regiment of European Cavalry at each Presidency, 
 and besides these whatever numbers of European 
 soldiers might be employed in India, all would, I am 
 convinced, be best employed in the Infantry and 
 Artillery. 
 
 The solidity and imperturbable steadiness of good 
 English soldiers is assuredly best applied in those two 
 arms, while the qualities of the Asiatic soldiers are 
 most valuable in the horsemen. 
 
 The Turkish Cavalry, until spoiled by the adoption 
 of European equipments, &c. &c. were accustomed to 
 ride over the Russian Infantry like sheep, whenever 
 unprotected by "chevaux de frize," and it seems to me 
 certain that, properly organised and properly command- 
 ed, Indian Cavalry would be the best in the world, 
 while the cost of such Cavalry would be about one- 
 half of the European Cavalry in India, man for man. 
 
 But be this as it may, it does not appear to me that 
 the formation of our Cavalry in one or two ranks has 
 any bearing on the question of the numbers of Euro- 
 peans to be employed. 
 
 I have often used the single rank formation on par- 
 ticular occasions, or as exercise ; and I think it some- 
 times very convenient, and often mon; j)owerful, in 
 attack than the two rank close formation, when the 
 numbers are small. 
 
 The most essential thing to success in Cavalry 
 attacks is the having good and ready supports and 
 reserves, and separating the ranks fnjm each otlier 
 11 )
 
 82 
 
 gives more supports and reserves. This is the whole 
 matter. The single rank formation may be — I cer- 
 tainly am of opinion it is — more convenient, and often 
 more powerful ; l)ut it is so because the second rank, 
 removed to a certain distance in rear, forms a better 
 support for the front rank. 
 
 But all such matters are best left for Commanding 
 Officers to decide on as they find convenient ; and those 
 formations no more affect the question of the numbers 
 of soldiers to be employed than would the general use 
 of fours, lately introduced into the Infantry Service, 
 instead of threes. 
 
 It signifies also little, in a tactical point of view, 
 what the strength of your Cavalry Regiments or Corps 
 may be, for the integer, when under arms, is the 
 Squadron, as the Battalion is that of the Infantry. 
 
 In my opinion the best and most convenient 
 strength for a Squadron of Cavalry, whether Native or 
 European, is 200 men of all ranks below the Commis- 
 sioned Officers. 
 
 This will give generally, under favorable circnmi- 
 stances, about 80 men of all ranks per troop under arms ; 
 and a Squadron of 80 files is as good an one as may be. 
 
 Four such Squadrons form a convenient Regimental 
 command, and I would, therefore, have our Cavalry 
 Regiments, whether Native or European, each 800 
 strong. 
 
 I yesterday replied to the first list of questions 
 received from you, and I will now add no more but 
 one remark, which seems to me to be of the most pro- 
 found and vital importance, it is that India requires 
 English minds, and not English bodies, to control her 
 quietly, powerfully, and well ; and that to attempt to
 
 83 
 
 rule otherwise will ensure the speedy destruction of 
 the Empire. 
 
 Yours sincerely, 
 (Signed) J. Jacob. 
 To Colonel H. M. Durand, C.B., 
 kc. &,c. &;c- 
 
 No. 154 OF 1858. 
 
 From Lieut. Col. H. M. Durand, C.B., 
 
 On Special duty with the Governor General, 
 
 Allahabad, 
 
 To Brigadier General J. Jacob, C.B., 
 
 Commandant in Chief Sind Irregular Horse, and 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier. 
 
 Dated Allahabad, 8th July 1858. 
 Sir, 
 I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of 
 your letter, No. 362, of the 27th June, with enclosures, 
 and have to request the favour, if you can spare them, 
 of your sending me a few copies of the printed letter 
 (private to Sir C. Trevely an, dated 24th Marcli 1858), 
 and of the Scheme for the Reorganisation of the Indian 
 Army. Two or three copies would suffice. 
 
 I liave the honour to be, &,c. 
 
 (Signed) H. M. Durand, Lieut. Col., 
 ' On Special duty with the Governor General
 
 84 
 
 No. 438 OF 1858. 
 
 From Brigadier General J. Jacob, C.B., 
 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier, 
 
 To Colonel H. M. Duraxd, C.B., 
 
 On Special duty with the Governor Cieneral, 
 
 Sir, 
 I have the honour to forward a few printed copies 
 of the papers referred to in your letter, ISo. 154, of the 
 8th July 1858, to my address. 
 
 I have the honour to he, &c. 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier, 
 
 Pol. Siipdt,'s Office, Jacohabad, 17 th July 1858, 
 
 BOMBAY LIGHT CAVALRY, 
 
 /. The Recruiting and Composition of Corps, 
 
 1 . What are the Races, Tribes, or Castes of which 
 the Light Cavalry of the Bombay Army is com* 
 posed ? 
 
 Chiefly of good caste Hindoos from Upper India, 
 with about ten per cent, of Mahrattas, and the like 
 number of Mussulmen.
 
 85 
 
 2. What Districts are the several Races, Tribes, or 
 Castes drawn from ? 
 
 Chiefly from Hindoostan Proper ; the Mahrattas 
 and some of the Mussulmen from the southern districts 
 of the Bombay Presidency. 
 
 3. Have any Races, Tribes, or Castes been 
 excluded from the Light Cavalry of the Bombay 
 Army either ])y the Regulations or the practice 
 of the— ? 
 
 Yes; no very low caste men are ever enlisted. 
 
 4. Are there any Races, Tribes, or Castes hitherto 
 neglected or excluded, from whom Recruits might, 
 with advantage, be enlisted for the Light Cavalry 
 of the Bombaj'- Arm}'-, if that branch of the 
 Service be continued ? 
 
 The attending to acknowledging at all, in any way, 
 any distinctions of races, tribe, caste, &c. as giving 
 any rights or implying any merits, a|)pears to me to be 
 a very great error. Men should be enlisted witli re- 
 ference to individual qualifications ouly, any race, tribe, 
 or caste, tlie individuals of wliich possessed high j)er- 
 sonal qualifications would necessarily predominate over 
 the others, but not by reason of race, ti-ibe, or caste, 
 but simply on account of their personal and individual 
 qualifications. This cannot, I think, be too much 
 insisted on, or too frequently kept in view. 
 
 5. What Agency is employed for the enlistment 
 of Recruits for the Native Regular or Light 
 Cavalry of the Bombay Army ? 
 
 Regimental arrangements only.
 
 86 
 
 6. On enlistment of Recruits for the Light Cavalry 
 ot" the Bombay Army, what precautions of Regis- 
 try and other forms are observed before the local 
 Authorities of Disti'icts ? 
 
 None that I am aware of. 
 
 7. When Recruits are enlisted in Cantonments, or 
 taken from the families of Troopers, or the fol- 
 lowers of Cavalry Corps, what precautions, if any, 
 are taken ? 
 
 Answered above. 
 
 8. What alterations should be made in your Re- 
 cruiting Regulations and practices, relatively to 
 Races, Tribes, or Castes, with a view to improve 
 the future composition of the Light Cavalry of 
 the Bombay Army ? 
 
 All such matters should be left wholly to Regimen- 
 tal Commanders to arrange as they find best. Races, 
 tribes, and castes should not be attended to at all. 
 
 9. What are the words of the Oath administered 
 to the Recruit on his entering the ranks of the 
 Light Cavalry of the Bombay Army ? 
 
 I have not a copy of the oath ; it is well known ? 
 
 10. How long has this form been in use in the 
 Light Cavalry of the Bombay Army ? 
 
 Since its first formation. 
 
 ] 1 . Can you recommend any improvement in the 
 wording or matter of the Oath administered to
 
 87 
 
 the Recruit of the Light Cavahy of the Bombay 
 Army when first enrolled ? 
 
 The practice of administering any such oaths is, it 
 appears to me, very gravely erroneous ; it implies that 
 this oath above is what binds the soldier to his duty. 
 Such swearing always tends to induce untruth, inas- 
 much as it creates the impression, that when not bound 
 by an oath, the soldier may be unfaithful. 
 
 12. Should the Liglit Cavalry Corps of the Bom- 
 bay Army be raised each in a prescribed district, 
 and be recruited there and there only ? 
 
 13. Or should the Light Cavalry Corps of the 
 Bombay Army be recruited over a wide area, in 
 fact, without reference to districts ? 
 
 All such matters should be left wholly to Regimen- 
 tal Commanders. 
 
 14. Should the Corps of Light Cavalry of the Bom- 
 bay Army be homogeneous as to Race or Caste ? 
 
 15. Should the Corps of Liglit Cavalry of the 
 Bombay Army be composed of Troops or Squa- 
 drons, each of which shall consist of separate 
 Tribes or Castes, or should the Tribes or Castes 
 be mixed up together in the whole Corps ? 
 
 All considerations of tribes, races, castes, &.c. slioukl 
 be omitted, and such circumstances should never be 
 acknowledged as implying any degree of merit or de- 
 merit. Men should be enlisted on consideration of 
 personal qualifications only, and entirely at tlie dis- 
 cretion of Regimental Commanders, who sliould be 
 left to make their own arrangement for obtaining good 
 recruits whencesoever they pleased.
 
 88 
 
 1(). If the Corps of Light Cavalry of the Bombay 
 Army are not homogeneous but composite, in what 
 proportion shoukl Races, Tribes, or Castes enter ? 
 
 17. What Agency should be employed for Recruit- 
 ing? 
 
 These arrangements should be left wholly to the 
 Regimental Commanders. If each Regiment had fixed 
 permanent head quarters, an abundant supply of recruits 
 to fill vacancies would always be ready at hand, and no 
 agency whatever would be required. 
 
 18. What precautions should be taken before the 
 local Authorities or through their instrumentality. 
 in connection with Recruits of the Light Cavalry 
 of the Bombay Army ? 
 
 None. 
 
 19. Should a Troop or Squadron of Europeans form 
 a component part of the Light Corps of Cavalry 
 of the Bombay Army ? 
 
 No ; the less the Native Indian soldiers have to do 
 with any Europeans, except gentlemen, the better. 
 
 20. If so, should such Troops or Squadrons be en- 
 listed for this special purpose, or be composed of 
 men selected from the European Cavalry Corps 
 serving in India, or be integral portions of 
 European Cavalry Corps, and subject to periodical 
 relief ? 
 
 The proposal, if acted on, would, however can-ied out, 
 ruin the Indian Army. The chief, the peculiar 
 advantage of our Native troops is their readiness, their 
 independence of all those heavy Commissariat arrange-
 
 89 
 
 ments, barrack accommodations, &;c. which are neces- 
 sary for European troops in India. Under the proposed 
 arrangement all would be rendered helpless ; the solid 
 strength of the European Regiment and the activity of 
 the Native corps would both be wanting, while the 
 higher classes of Natives, whose presence is invaluable 
 in our ranks, would be wholly excluded from the 
 service, 
 
 21. How should the Barracks and Stables of such 
 isolated European Troops or Squadrons be placed ? 
 
 22. Would such Detachments of Europeans se- 
 riously complicate Commissariat arrangements ? 
 
 23. How should such Troops or Squadrons of Eu- 
 ropeans be Armed ? with similar or with ditl'erent 
 Weapons from those in the hands of Native Troopers 
 with whom they would be associated ? 
 
 24. How should the Light Cavalry of the Bombay 
 Army be Armed ? 
 
 With cutting swords, and short doul)le-barrel 
 carbines. 
 
 25. Has any advantage been derived from the Dress 
 and Equipments of the Troopers of the Regular 
 Native Cavalry of the Bombay Army being 
 assimilated to those of the European Dragoons ? 
 
 I think not. 
 
 26. How should the Light Cavalry of the Boml)ay 
 Army be Dressed and Equipped with a view to the 
 efficiency and comfort of the Native 'J'rooper ? 
 
 The dress should b(; a loose (loiiMc-hrcastcd tunic, 
 of thick broad clotli, with plenty of pockets in it. 
 Cloth over-alls. The head-dress should be a helmet 
 12 J
 
 90 
 
 or Kilmarnock cap, or the Native Indian puggree for 
 summer wear ; the tunic should be of grey or drab- 
 coloured cotton cloth, with over-alls of the same. 
 Accoutrements of black unvarnished leather. 
 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier. 
 
 //. — Rules of Discipline and Military Code. 
 
 1. Can you suggest improvements in the Articles 
 of War now in use in the Light Cavalry of the 
 Bombay Army ? 
 
 I have a strong opinion that there should be no 
 Articles of War. Such a system of laws appears to me 
 to be founded on principles radically false and mis- 
 chievous. The practical effect of Articles of War on 
 the mind of the Native Indian soldier is to show him 
 that we expect him to disobey, — that his normal state 
 is disobedience. The only law to the Native Indian 
 soldier should be the orders of his English Command- 
 ing Officer. 
 
 2. Should the special Rules, regulating Punishment 
 in the Native Army, be retained, or should they be 
 assimilated to the Rules which obtain in the 
 British Army ? 
 
 I think that there should be no such rules at all. 
 Commanding Officers should have Magisterial powers 
 over their men, but it is clear to me, that any Com- 
 manding Officer who would retain in his corps a Native 
 Indian soldier after subjecting him to corporal punish-
 
 91 
 
 ment must be quite unfit to command Native Indian 
 soldiers. Corporal punishment should always be followed 
 by disgraceful dismissal, and should only be resorted 
 to in cases of disgraceful crimes — plundering, theft, 
 violence to country folk, and such like. 
 
 3. Does the System of Native Courts Martial work 
 satisfactorily in the Light Cavalry of the Bombay 
 Army ? 
 
 The present system of Native Courts Martial appears 
 to me to be very deeply erroneous in principle. Such 
 Courts imply that the Native Officers are entrusted with 
 higher powers than their European Commander. The 
 authority of the European Commander should be para- 
 mount over the Native soldiers of his Regiment, and 
 his orders should be the only laws recognised. Under 
 such a rule the Native Courts Martial might often be 
 very useful. 
 
 4. What measures are adopted to acquaint the 
 Troopers of the Bombay Light Cavalry with the 
 Military Code under which they serve and are 
 governed ? 
 
 The Articles of War are read out, in the Vernacular, 
 to the Regiment once a month. 
 
 5. What proportion of the Troopers of the Bombay 
 Light Cavalry can read and comprehend the 
 Articles of War in their own Vernacular ? 
 
 I cannot say. 
 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 tlie Frontier.
 
 92 
 
 III- — Organisation, Promotion, and Rewards. 
 
 1. In the Liglit Cavalry of the Bombay Army what 
 is the System of Promotion ; is it based on Merit 
 alone, on Seniority alone, or on Merit and 
 Seniority combined ? 
 
 Merit and seniority combined. 
 
 2. Are the Native Commissioned Officers and Non- 
 commissioned Officers of the Light Cavalry of 
 the Bombay Army generally intelligent, useful, 
 and efficient ? 
 
 They are generally as intelligent, useful, and efficient 
 as could be expected under the present construction of 
 the Service, which is such, that the so-called Native 
 Officers are not really Officers at all. 
 
 3. Are their acquirements usually of a higher grade 
 than those of the Troopers from among whom they 
 have risen ? 
 
 Generally so. 
 
 4. Is there any Test or Examination prior to Promo- 
 tion to a Commissioned grade, or on Promotion 
 from one Commissioned grade to another? 
 
 No special examination is adopted that I am aware 
 of, and 1 have a strong opinion that all such examina- 
 tions are fallacious. 
 
 5. Does the intervention of the Native Commis- 
 sioned Officer between the European Officer and 
 his Men weaken or strengthen the Position and 
 influence of the European Officer ?
 
 I 
 
 93 
 
 This must depend wholly on the personal characters, 
 &:c. of the individuals. 
 
 Does a full complement of the European militate 
 against the professional efficiency of the Native 
 Commissioned Officers ? 
 
 The full complement of European Officers proper for 
 a Native Indian Regiment is, in my opinion, four. The 
 fact of the Commanding Officers and Subalterns of 
 Troops and Companies being Europeans is absolutely 
 inconsistent with efficiency in our Native Indian 
 Army. There can be no Native Officers in reality 
 where the youngest Cornet or Ensign commands every 
 Native of every rank. 
 
 6. Has it been found on occasions of Mutiny, that 
 the Native Officers have evinced cordial fidelity, 
 given timely information, or been useful in aid- 
 ing their European Officers to check or quell 
 Mutiny ? Have the Native Officers sided with the 
 Mutineers or with the European Officers ? 
 
 In the Bombay Army the Native Officers have been 
 generally most faithful and actively useful. 
 
 7. Should the grades of Native Commissioned 
 Officers be continued or discontinued in the Light 
 Cavalry of the Bomljay Army? 
 
 In my opinion the Captain and Subalterns of Troops 
 should be Native Commissioned Officers. 
 
 8. Is the sul)Stituti()n of a European Serjeant and 
 Corporal to each Troop of Light or Irregular Corps 
 of Cavalry in li(Mi of its Native Commissioned 
 Officers advisaljle ?
 
 94 
 
 Most iiiiadvisable — the practice would be found to 
 be most mischievous. Native soldiers should not be 
 commanded by any European but gentlemen. 
 
 9. If the abolition of the grades of Native Com- 
 missioned Officers be advisable, and the pros- 
 pect of distinction and emolument be thus closed 
 to the Native Trooper, would a graduated scale of 
 Good Service Pay and Retiring Pensions claimable 
 after specified periods of service, be a compensa- 
 tory encouragement, and as efficacious as the 
 Commissioned grades ? 
 
 It is in my opinion impossible to form a really good 
 trustworthy and efficient Native Indian Army, unless 
 higher rank and position than the service now offers 
 to him be thrown open to the Native soldier. Instead 
 of abolishing the Commissioned ranks of Natives, I 
 would make the Native Officers in effect Captains and 
 Subalterns — give them real command, and impose on 
 them real responsibility. 
 
 10. Have Retiring Pensions proved effectual in at- 
 taching the Native Trooper to the British service, 
 and the British rule ? 
 
 The pensions must have had, and have actually had, 
 considerable effect in attaching men to the service. 
 But in this case, as in all others throughout the Indian 
 services, the attempt to prevent the possibility of abuse 
 has crushed all life out of the system ; and under a 
 better arrangement the effect of the same amount of 
 public expenditure in pensions would assuredly have 
 been ten-fold greater than it is under existing regula- 
 tions.
 
 95 
 
 1 1 . Should the system of Pensions as now in force 
 by regulation be maintained or modified ? or 
 prospectively abolished ? 
 
 The pensioners of each Regiment should remain 
 attached to that Regiment. Every man after twenty 
 years' service might be allowed a moderate pension, and 
 after thirty years' service a more liberal allowance. 
 
 The Commanding Officer, in consultation with his 
 Medical and other Officers, should have powers to 
 transfer men to the Regimental pension list after the 
 prescribed period of service ; and such pensioners should 
 be borne on a separate roll as pensioners of such a 
 Regiment. It should be at all times discretional with 
 Regimental Commanding Officers to .discharge any 
 man without pension. 
 
 The pensioners should be considered as belonging 
 to the Regiment, and no other than the Regimental 
 authorities should have anything to do with them. 
 They should reside and receive their pensions at Regi- 
 mental Head Quarters only. There is no circum- 
 stance regarding the organisation of our Native Indian 
 Army which I am more clearly convinced of than this : 
 of the advantage and even necessity of fixed perma- 
 nent Regimental Head Quarters, where pensioners and 
 families can all reside in safety and comfort, and where 
 an ample supply of the very best material for our ranks 
 would be continurdly in readiness to our hands. 
 
 I have heard the pro})osed fixed Head Quarters for 
 Regiments objected to, because some stations must be 
 much more fjivoured by climate, and present generally 
 far more local advantages than others. But in j)ractice 
 this objection is found absolutely groundless. Perma- 
 nent residents adapt themselves to the peculiarities
 
 9(3 
 
 of aiiv locality ; and the ingenuity men are called 
 upon to exercise in counteracting- local disadvantages, 
 and a kind of pride which all men take, more or less, in 
 overcoming dithculties, soon causes them even to prefer 
 their own place of abode, however little it may be 
 favoured by nature, to any other whatever. 
 
 The feeling is universal, and the facts are beyond 
 doubt. I have myself for twelve years past seen the 
 head quarters of my own corps established with perfect 
 success in the most unfevourable locality which could 
 possibly be found on earth, and many of our pensioners 
 now prefer continuing to reside at Jacobabad on the 
 Sind Frontier rather than returning to their homes in 
 Hindoostan — although some of these pensioners continu- 
 ing at Regimental Head Quarters are Brahmins and 
 high-caste Hindoos ; while Sind is a thoroughly 
 Mahomedan country. Each Regimental Head Quarters 
 would, in fact, under the system proposed by me, become 
 a Military colony, where the rising generation would 
 be continually educated for service in our ranks. 
 Many of the best recruits in the Sind Irregular Horse 
 have been born and bred as it were in the service, 
 
 12. What is the Charge upon the Finances of the 
 Bombay Presidency on account of Military 
 Pensions to the Light Cavalry of the Bombay 
 Army? 
 
 I cannot say. 
 
 13. Should the System of Promotion generally b}^ 
 Seniority to the grades of Native Commissioned 
 Officers (if these are retained) be altered, and Pro- 
 motion for merit and efficiency be the rule ?
 
 97 
 
 All promotion should go by merit only, of which 
 the Commanding Officer should be the sole judge. 
 A Commanding Officer should have full power to admit 
 Natives into the service at once as Native Officers, if he 
 thought proper to do so. 
 
 14. Are Native Commissioned Officers generally 
 fit to take part in the conduct of Courts Martial ? 
 
 Generally in the Bombay Army they are so. 
 
 15. Are Native Commissioned Officers on a par 
 with European Serjeants and Corporals in pro- 
 fessional intelligence and efficiency ? 
 
 The Cjualifications of individuals of these different 
 classes are so extremely various, that it is almost im- 
 possible to institute such comparisons with advantage. 
 The Native Officers of the Bombay Army, even under 
 the present organisation, are, I think, perhaps, superior, 
 in mere intelligence, to the generality of European Non- 
 commissioned Officers, but very inferior to them in 
 force of character and moral power. 
 
 16. What is the best organisation for Native Corps 
 of Regular Cavalry ? 
 
 1. Should they be fully officered with Native 
 Commissioned grades, as well as with European 
 Officers ; or 
 
 2. Fully officered with European, but have no 
 Native Commissioned grades ; or 
 
 3. Be officered like Corps of Irregular Cavalry, 
 viz. — with a full complement of Native Com- 
 missioned Officers, l)ut with only three oi- four 
 European Officers ? 
 
 1.3 J
 
 98 
 
 The Asiatic and European characters are, in fact, in 
 many respects complemental to eacli other. 
 
 Four European Officers to each Regiment. Troop 
 Officers — Natives only. European Officers appointed 
 to Regiments by careful selection, and other details as 
 laid down in the annexed printed scheme. 
 
 17. Should any alteration be made in the mode of 
 Officering the Irregular Cavalry of the Bombay 
 Army ? 
 
 A fourth Officer might be added, as Quartermaster, 
 and Commanding Officers should have full powers to 
 discharge, dismiss, enlist, and promote all ranks of 
 Natives. 
 
 Commanding Officers should be allowed the selection 
 of their own European subordinates. 
 
 18. Among the Classes which enter the Regular 
 and Irregular Cavalry of the Bombay Army, 
 which is the most popular, the Regular or the 
 Irregular ; and what reasons are assigned by the 
 Natives for the preference ? 
 
 The Irregular service is certainly generally preferred, 
 chiefly for the reason that in it the Native Officers are 
 really and not only nominally Officers. 
 
 But the service, Regular and Irregular, cannot be 
 compared in this way, for there is more difference 
 between individual Irregular corps than between many 
 of those belonging to distinct branches of the Service. 
 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier.
 
 99 
 
 BOMBAY IRREGULAR CAVALRY. 
 
 /. — Hie Recruiting and Composition of Corps. 
 
 \. What are the Races, Tribes, and Castes of which 
 the Irregular Cavalry of the Bombay Army is 
 composed ? 
 
 2. What Districts are the several Races, Tribes, or 
 Castes drawn from ? 
 
 Of nearly every Race, Tribe, and Caste in India and 
 Central Asia I believe. The Regiments of the Sind 
 Irregular Horse are chiefly composed of Hindoostanees 
 — mostly Mussulmans, the agricultural and landholding 
 classes of the districts around Delhi, Furruckabad, &c. 
 
 3. Have any Races, Tribes, or Castes been excluded 
 from the Irregular Cavalry of the Bombay Army 
 either by the Regulations or the practice of 
 the ■? 
 
 4. Are there any Races, Tribes, or Castes, hitherto 
 neglected or excluded, from whom Recruits might, 
 with advantage, be enlisted for the Irregular Ca- 
 valry of the Bombay Army ? 
 
 5. What Agency is employed for the Enlistment of 
 Recruits for the Irregular Cavalry of the Bombay 
 Army ? 
 
 None that I am aware of. 
 
 6. On Enlistment of Recruits for the Irregular Ca- 
 valry of the Bombay Army, wliat precautions of 
 Registry and other Forms are observed before the 
 local Authorities of Districts ? 
 
 7. When Recruits are enlisted in Cantonments or
 
 100 
 
 taken from the Families of Troopers or the Fol- 
 lowers of Cavalry Corps, what precautions, if any, 
 are taken ? 
 
 8. What alterations should be made in 3^our Re- 
 cruiting Regulations and practice, relatively to 
 Races, Tribes, or Castes, with a view to improve 
 the future composition of the Irregular Cavalry of 
 the Bombay Army ? 
 
 Everything should be left to the discretion of the 
 Reo'imental Commander. 
 
 9. What are the Words of the Oath administered 
 to the Recruit on his entering the Ranks of the 
 Irregular Cavalry of the Bombay Army ? 
 
 10. How lono' has this form been in use in the 
 Irregular Cavalry of the Bombay Army ? 
 
 11. Can you recommend any improvement in the 
 wording or matter of the Oath administered to 
 the Recruit of the Irregular Cavalry of the Bom- 
 bay Army when first enrolled ? 
 
 No oath is used that I am aware of. None has ever 
 been used in the Sind Irregular Horse. I have a deep 
 conviction that the use of any such oaths is of most 
 pernicious effect, as explained in answers to former 
 questions respecting other branches of the Service. 
 
 12. Should the Irregular Cavalry Corps of the 
 Bombay Army be raised each in a prescribed 
 District, and be recruited there and there only ? 
 
 13. Or should the Irregular Cavahy Corps of the 
 Bombay Army be recruited over a wide area — in 
 fact, without reference to Districts ? 
 
 14. Should the Corps of Irregular Cavalry of the
 
 101 
 
 Bombay Army be homogeneous as to Race or 
 Caste ? 
 
 15. Should the Corps of Irregular Cavalry of the 
 Army be composed of Rissalahs,. each of which 
 shall consist of separate Tribes or Castes ; or should 
 the Tribes or Castes be mixed up together in the 
 whole Corps ? 
 
 16. If the Corps of Irregular Cavalry of the Bom- 
 bay Army are not homogeneous but composite, 
 in Avhat Proportions should the Races, Tribes, or 
 Castes enter ? 
 
 All such matters should be left wholly to the dis- 
 cretion of Regimental Commanders. The practice 
 of recognising differences of tribe, caste, &c. as imply- 
 ing merit or demerit, or in any way affecting a man's 
 position as a soldier, is most faulty. 
 
 Men should be enlisted as soldiers, and their merits 
 estimated according to their power and willingness to 
 perform their duties as soldiers. Caste, &c. should 
 never be alhided to, or recognised in any way. If any 
 man's peculiarities of caste, &c. be found to interfere 
 with tlie performance of his duties as a soldier, these 
 peculiarities should be treated exactly as would be 
 bodily defects or infirmities, and the man so defective 
 or infirm should not be enlisted, or his services should 
 be dispensed with as soon as such defects become 
 apparent. 
 
 Peculiarities of belief or of practice, which interfere 
 with Mihtary duty, should be considered and treated, 
 not as conferring privileges, but as signs of weakness, 
 just as would 1)0 physical disorders. 
 
 I have always acted thus with a large body of Native 
 Indian soldiers for some seventeen years past, and witli
 
 102 
 
 the happiest effect. In this corps all men's religions 
 are res])ected, but none are allowed to be obtrusive ; 
 and an Officer might serve for many years in the Sind 
 Horse without ever hearing even any mention of caste. 
 In these proceedings I have always carried the public 
 opinion of all classes of Natives with me, depending on 
 natural law and on those feelings and attributes which 
 are common to all mankind. I have never met with 
 any opposition, but have, on the contrary, met with 
 cordial support from all classes, even when I positively 
 prohibited all public displays, noisy ceremonies, &c. 
 on such occasions as the Mohurrum and Dewallee. 
 
 17. What Agency should be employed for Re- 
 cruiting ? 
 
 None ; all such matters should be left wholly to 
 Regimental Commanders. 
 
 18. What precautions should be taken before the 
 local Authorities or through their instrumentality, 
 in connection with Recruits for the Irregular 
 Cavalry of the Bombay Army ? 
 
 None. 
 
 19. Should a Troop or Squadron of Europeans form 
 a component part of the Irregular Corps of Cavalry 
 of the Bombay Army ? 
 
 20. If so, should such Troops or Squadrons be 
 enlisted for this special purpose, or be composed 
 of men selected from the European Cavalry Corps, 
 and subject to periodical relief? 
 
 21. How should the Barracks and Stables of such 
 isolated European Troops or Squadrons be placed ?
 
 103 
 
 22. Would such Detachments of Europeans se- 
 riously complicate Commissariat arrangements ? 
 
 23. How should such Troops or Squadrons of Eu- 
 ropeans be Armed — with similar or with different 
 Weapons from those in the hands of Native 
 Troopers with whom they would be associated ? 
 
 No ; these questions appear to me to be equivalent to 
 asking whether each Troop of Horse Artillery should 
 not have a Lancaster Gun of ten tons weight or so 
 attached to it. 
 
 24. How should the Irregular Cavalry of the Bom- 
 bay Army be Armed ? 
 
 At the discretion of Regimental Commanders. In 
 my own opinion, good English cutting swords and short 
 double-barrel carbines are the best arms for all Native 
 Indian Cavalry. 
 
 26. Do the Dress and Equipments of the Irregular 
 Cavalry of the Bombay Army admit of improve- 
 ments ? If so, state them. 
 
 This question seems to imply that all the corps of 
 the Irregular Cavalry of the Bombay Army are alike. 
 But this is not the case. These corps differ from 
 each other in a great variety of particulars, and, in fact, 
 they have only one peculiarity in common, which is of 
 the horses being the property of the men. 
 
 The Sind Irregular Horse are certainly as well and 
 effectually dressed as the means allowed will permit, and 
 their equipment has often been officially reported by 
 various (Jeneral Officers to be perfection. 
 
 But the pay of all our Irregular Cavalry is too low, 
 and it would be true economy to increase that of the
 
 104 
 
 Sind Irrcg-ular Horse, serving on the Frontier, to forty- 
 five Rupees per man and horse monthly, and that 
 of corps serving in the interior of India to thirty-six 
 Rupees monthly for each private man and horse 
 complete; with corresponding rates of pay for the 
 higher grades. The style of dress and equipment should 
 be left to the discretion of Commanding Officers. 
 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier. 
 
 //. — Rules of Discipline and Military Code. 
 
 1. Can you suggest any improvements in the Ar- 
 ticles of War now in use in the Irregular Cavalry 
 of the Bombay Army ? 
 
 No Articles of War have ever been used in the Sind 
 Horse ; how far they have been applied to other corps 
 of Irregular Cavalry I cannot precisely say. 
 
 2. Should the Special Rules, regulating Punishment 
 in the Native Army, be retained, or should they 
 be assimilated to the Rules which obtain in the 
 British Army? 
 
 There should be no special rules at all. Every- 
 thins: should be left to the discretion of a selected 
 Commander. 
 
 3. Does the System of Native Courts Martial work 
 satisfactorily in the Irregular Cavalry of the 
 Bombay Army ?
 
 105 
 
 Courts Martial are not resorted to at all in the Sind 
 Irregular Horse. They have been in use in other 
 Irregular Corps ; but the system works most unsatis- 
 factorily. 
 
 4. What measures are adopted to acquaint the 
 Troopers of the Irregular Cavalry with the Mili- 
 tary Code under which they serve and are 
 governed ? 
 
 The practices in different corps differ very greatly. 
 No code was ever in use in the Sind Irregular Horse 
 since I have commanded the corps, except the Regi- 
 mental Orders, and no law thought of except the will 
 of the Commandant. 
 
 5. What proportion of the Troopers of the Irregular 
 Cavalry can read and comprehend the Articles of 
 War in their own Vernacular ? 
 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier. 
 
 ///. — Organisation, Promotion, and Rewards. 
 
 1. In the Irregular Cavalry of the Bombay Army 
 what is the system of Promotion ; is it based on 
 Merit alone, on Seniority alone, or on Merit and 
 Seniority combined ? 
 
 It is not possible to reply to these questions gene- 
 rally, inasmuch as the Irregular Cavaliy of the Bom- 
 bay Army is not of homogeneous construction. Some 
 corps differ from others as much as Her Majesty's 
 
 H J
 
 106 
 
 Life Guards do from Cossacks, and I would observe, that 
 tliis remark applies to the questions respecting Irregu- 
 lar Cavalry generally. In the Sind Horse, promotion 
 by merit alone is the rule, and the Commandant is the 
 sole judge of such merit. 
 
 2. Are the Native Commissioned and Non- Com- 
 missioned Officers of the Irregular Cavalry of the 
 Bombay Army generally intelligent, useful, and 
 efficient ? 
 
 The Commissioned Officers of the Sind Irregular 
 Horse are generally very good, and whether in com- 
 mand of Troops and Squadrons with a Regiment in a 
 body, or in command of detachments, on distant out- 
 posts, are, in my opinion, quite equal in efficiency, 
 within their own sphere of action, to the average of 
 Captains and Subalterns of the Regular Regiments. 
 
 3. Are their acquirements usually of a higher 
 grade than those of the Troopers from among 
 whom they have risen ? 
 
 Undoubtedly so ; being chosen for merit only, their 
 acquirements and qualifications are necessarily the 
 hio'hest. 
 
 4. Is there any Test or Examination prior to Pro- 
 motion to a Commissioned grade, or on Promo- 
 tion from one Commissioned grade to another ? 
 
 In the Sind Irregular Horse no man is promoted 
 from the ranks until he shall have passed an examination 
 in his drill. Before promotion to be Pay Duftadar, the 
 candidate is required to pass a strict examination as to 
 his knowledge of accounts, Persian, writing, kc. kc.
 
 107 
 
 No other special examination is used. But the first 
 selection of a man from the ranks of the private soldier 
 is the most important move of all, for from that time 
 he is necessarily more prominently brought to the notice 
 of his Officers, so that his whole service is one continu- 
 ous examination. This is the state of things in the 
 Sind Irregular Horse ; the practices differ greatly in 
 other Corps. 
 
 6. Has it been found on occasions of Mutiny that 
 the Native Officers have evinced cordial fidelity, 
 given timely information, or been useful in aiding 
 the European Officers to check or quell Mutiny ? 
 Have the Native Officers sided with the Mutineers 
 or with the European Officers ? 
 
 Nothing could have been more noble than the 
 conduct of the men and Officers of every grade in the 
 Sind Irregular Horse on the occasion of the late mutiny 
 and attempted rebellion on the Sind Frontier. 
 
 Reports on this subject, in full, have been made to 
 Government in the Secret Department. Never were 
 Native Indian soldiers so tried and tempted, — -but not a 
 man failed in his duty. There never has been the 
 least symptom of a tendency to any idea of the possi- 
 bility of mutiny in our oAvn ranks. 1 speak of the 
 Sind Irregular Horse only ; regarding other corps I 
 am not so well informed. 
 
 10. Have Retiring Pensions proved effectual in 
 
 attaching the Native Trooper to the British Service 
 
 and the British Rule ? 
 1 ] . Shoidd the system of Pensions, as now in force 
 
 by Regulation, be maintained, or prospectively 
 
 abolished ?
 
 108 
 
 12. What is the Charge upon the Finances of the 
 Bombay Presidency on account of Military 
 Pensions to the Irregular Cavalry ? 
 
 The answers given in full to similar questions regard- 
 ing the Light Cavalry, &c. apply witli equal force here, 
 and to every part of the Army. 
 
 13. Should the system of Promotion generally by 
 Seniority to the grades of Native Commissioned 
 Officers, if at all in operation, be altered, and pro- 
 motion for Merit and Efficiency be the Rule '! 
 
 Are Native Commissioned Officers generally fit to 
 take part in the conduct of Courts Martial ? 
 
 Any system of promotion for any other reason than 
 merit and efficiency is, and must always be, most 
 mischievous. 
 
 The Native Officers of the Sind Irregular Horse 
 have not been accustomed to Courts Martial, but I have 
 always found them quite as fit for any duty required 
 of them as European Subalterns generally. 
 
 15 and 16. No replies required. 
 
 17. Should any alteration be made in the mode 
 of Officering the Irregular Cavalry of the Bombay 
 Army? 
 
 18. Among the Classes which enter the Regular 
 and Irregular Cavalry of the Bombay Army, 
 which is the most popular, the Regular or the 
 Irregular, and what reasons are assigned by the 
 Natives for the preference ? 
 
 The answers given to similar questions respecting 
 other branches of the service apply with equal force 
 to the Irregular Cavalry.
 
 109 
 
 19. If Irregular Corps of Cavalry have Native 
 Commissioned Officers, and Regular Corps of 
 Native Cavalry have no Native Commissioned 
 Officers, but only Good Service Pay and Pension as 
 an incitement to Good Conduct and Efficiency, 
 will the high pay to the Troopers and Non-Com- 
 missioned Officers of the Regular Cavalry be an 
 equivalent to the absence of Commissioned grades, 
 and draw as good Recruits to the Regular, as 
 the contrary system will draw to the Irregular 
 Corps ? 
 
 No, assuredly not. 
 
 20. Is it advisable to keep up Regular Native 
 Cavalry in the Bombay Army ? 
 
 Would the substitution of Irregular Cavalry be as 
 efficient and less costly ? 
 
 Under the term Irregular Cavalry Troops are classed 
 together, as of one description, which in reality differ 
 from each other as much as the Numatian Horsemen 
 did from the Troopers of Gustavus Adolphus. Really 
 Irregular Cavalry, such as our Belooch Horse, or 
 some of the Russian Cossacks, are often most useful, 
 are frequently invaluable in war. But we must have 
 Regular Cavalry also— we could not carry on war with- 
 out such an arm ; and to the question, as it stands, it 
 must be answered, that we must keep up both Regular 
 and Irregular Cavalry. 
 
 But the Sind Irregular Horse, though classed with 
 the Irregulars, is, in reality, more regular than any of 
 the Regulars themselves, and I a])])rehend that tlie 
 question refers, not to real regularity of the corj)s, 
 but to peculiarity of organisation. It is the practice
 
 HO 
 
 now to call all corps Irregular in which the horses 
 and arms arc the property of the men, and all corps 
 Hcpilar in which the horses and arms belong to and 
 are maintained by the State. 
 
 But this practice leads to numerous erroneous 
 impressions, and under this classification Cromwell's 
 Ironsides themselves would become Irrecfular. 
 
 Now, it is quite certain, that if the European Officers 
 were properly selected, and left to rule their Regiments 
 as they found best, a perfectly Regular Native Indian 
 Cavahy could be formed on the Silidar system (that 
 is, the system of the men furnishing their own horses 
 and arms), which should be more efficient than any 
 Cavalry now known in the East, whether European or 
 Asiatic, and which should, at the same time, cost the 
 State only two-thirds of the cost of the existing 
 Native Light Cavalry of India. 
 
 21. Under the supposition that the Irregular 
 should be the only Native Cavalry in the Bombay 
 Army, should part be mounted by Government, 
 or the whole placed on the usual footing of 
 Irregular Cavalry in this respect ? 
 
 The whole should be on the Silidar principle ; and 
 all arrangements and details be left to the Regimental 
 Commander. 
 
 22. What is the average cost to Government of the 
 Horses on which the Troopers of the Regular 
 Native Cavalry of the Bombay Army are 
 mounted ? 
 
 Five hundred Rupees each.
 
 Ill 
 
 23. Whence are the Horses obtaifted, and of what 
 breed are they ? 
 
 All parts of the world. 
 
 24. Wlience does the Irregular Cavahy of the 
 Bombay Presidency draw its Horses ? 
 
 From the districts in which each corps may be 
 serving. The Sind Horse is chiefly supplied from 
 Beloochistan and Herat. 
 
 25. What is the average cost of the Horses of the 
 Irregular Cavalry of the Bombay Presidency ? 
 
 It is impossible to answer this question ; it is like 
 asking what is the average cost of horses in the world. 
 The cost of the horses of the Sind Horse averaires 
 about two hundred and twenty-five Rupees each. 
 
 26. Are the requirements of the mounted branch 
 of the Bombay Army adequately met by the sys- 
 tem pursued for obtaining Horses ? 
 
 I believe not. 
 
 27. Can you suggest any improvement in the sys- 
 tem of obtaining Horses for the European Cavalry 
 and Artillery of the Army of the Bombay Pre- 
 sidency ? 
 
 Yes. The present system absolutely excludes from 
 our ranks a very great number of the very best horses 
 in the world, and introduces many of the worst. The 
 powers of a horse are not to be estimated by measuring 
 his height at the withers. 
 
 2(S. Is it advisable that the (lovcrnment Studs
 
 112 
 
 slunild 1)0 maintained, or should they be abolisli- 
 od, and Government rely on tlie Markets of 
 India, and of Foreig-n Countries, and of British 
 Colonies, for a supply of Horses for the Army of 
 India ? 
 
 The breed of saddle horses in England has notori- 
 ously degenerated exactly in proportion as it has in- 
 creased in height {vide, amang other authorities, a 
 little book, lately published, entitled " On the deteriora- 
 tion of our Saddle Horses"). 
 
 If we look back to the English turf about a century 
 ago, we see horses standing no higher than our 
 ordinary Arabs at present, running such distances as 
 four and six mile heats, with such weights as twelve 
 stone on their backs, and doing this in such time as is 
 now unapproachable. 
 
 In 1722, Flying Childers, with nine stone two lbs., 
 ran over the Beacon Course at Newmarket, four miles, 
 one furlong, and one hundred and thirty-eight yards, 
 in seven minutes and thirty seconds. 
 
 In the same year he beat Lord Drogheda's Chaunter, 
 ten stone each, six miles, for a thousand guineas. 
 
 When six years old (1721) he beat Almanzor, and 
 others, over the Round Course at Newmarket, three 
 miles, six furlongs, and ninety-three yards, in six 
 minutes and forty seconds, weight nine stone two lbs. 
 In fact, this short, compact, strong constitutioned horse, 
 with ten or even twelve stone on his back, could, with 
 ease, have doubly or trebly distanced in four or five 
 miles the best horses now in England, even giving the 
 latter two or three stone. Flying Childers was got by 
 the Derby Arabian out of Betty Leeds, whose grand-dam 
 was a Barb mare, and whose sire was the Leeds
 
 113 
 
 Arabian : he was thus of nearly pure Arab and Barli 
 blood, and was what would now in England 1)e 
 called a very small horse, having been only 15 hands 
 high. 
 
 Again, twenty years later, little Cartouch, also of 
 ■^Arab stock, standing only 14 hands high, ran repeated- 
 ly four and six mile heats, carrying twelve stone ; and 
 at these weights and distances he beat everything that 
 could be broufyht ag-ainst him. The endurance of the 
 horses of that day, bred from Arabs, was quite as re- 
 markable as were their performances themselves ; they 
 remained running season after season, — sound, fresh, 
 and always running for six or seven years together ; and 
 one of them won twenty-eight times. 
 
 The long-legged, feeble-bodied race-horses of the 
 present day are seldom able to win more than one 
 public race, canying eight stone seven pounds for a 
 mile and a half, or two miles at most. After this effort 
 they are generally unfit to stand further training — their 
 legs having generally failed. 
 
 The introduction of the tall, weak-constitutioned 
 modern Eno-lish horse into the o;rcat Continental studs 
 of Europe has ruined them, as it lias done the studs in 
 India, and, for some years past, it has been found ne- 
 cessary to have recourse to Arab horses alone for breed- 
 ing purposes ; but meanwhile the Native breeds in 
 France and Germany have been ruined, and anew race 
 of animals has to be created. 
 
 In India the introduction of the English horse has 
 been fatal to our studs. These estal)lishments might, 
 under proper management, have been invaluable to the 
 Anglo-Indian Government ; as it is, they have proved 
 worse than a dead loss, for ;dl tlu; old Native breeds of 
 
 15 J
 
 114 
 
 horses in India have been ruined by them, as in Aus- 
 tria, Prussia, and France. 
 
 The Indian breeding studs should, undoubtedly, be 
 maintained ; and those in the Bombay Presidency on a 
 much larger scale than heretofore. But they should 
 be established on entirely different principles from 
 those now acted on. 
 
 Superintendents should be appointed who possess 
 some considerable knowledge of the physiology of horse 
 breeding, as well as some practical knowledge of the 
 details of the business. The studs should be established 
 in localities favourable to the health of the horse, and 
 particularly where the monsoon rains are light. A 
 number of the best and most healthy mares of any 
 breed procurable (as Arab mares are not to be had at 
 any price) should be taken to commence with, and 
 thereafter none but the best and purest Arab blood 
 should ever be admitted into the breeding stud. Agents 
 should be sent to the interior of Arabia to buy the best 
 horses procurable for stallions ; but if this were found 
 impracticable, a sufficiency of good horses for our pur- 
 pose would, after a time, readily be found in the Bom- 
 bay market. 
 
 Let none but Arab blood be admitted ; let due atten- 
 tion be paid to the shape, and particularly to the consti- 
 tutional qualities of individual horses ; let all be excluded 
 from the breeding stock in whom any constitutional 
 defect might be apparent, appoint properly qualified 
 Officers to superintend the business, and it is certain 
 that our Indian studs would, in twenty years time, pro- 
 duce an abundant supply of the best horses on earth. 
 
 Meanwhile, abolish all Remount Committees ; appoint 
 properly qualified Remount Agents at Bombay and
 
 115 
 
 Kurrachee ; permit these Remount Agents to buy up, 
 for the service, all the Arab horses which they consider 
 fit for Cavalry purposes, without any sort of attention 
 to the height of the animals at the wither, or any other 
 particular measurement. If you can g-et a large and 
 well-shaped blood horse, so much the better ; but large 
 blood horses are very rare, and a horse of 14 hands 
 high is often able to carry twenty stone with perfect 
 ease, while one of inferior breed of 15 or 16 hands may 
 not be able to carry half so much, half so fir, or so fast. 
 The best horse I ever had was under 14 hands in 
 height ; he was of great depth and size of body, was 
 equal to any weight, and was the best hunter of his 
 day (1831 to 1835) in the Deccan. He carried me 
 (eleven stone) forty miles in three hours at a trot. I swam 
 the Godavery on him at Kopergaum, in the height of 
 the monsoon, when the ferry-boat had been carried 
 away by the stream, which was running so strong that 
 no other boat-men could be persuaded again to attempt 
 the passage ; and, though carried down a mile or more, 
 the good horse took me, accoutred in heavy hunting 
 gear, across the torrent as steadily and safely as if he 
 had been going along the dry road. There was nothing 
 that this horse could not do well — he worked hard for 
 me for fifteen years ; was never sick or sorry ; he was as 
 strong as an elephant, as fast as an antelope (I once 
 ran one to death on him in the Deccan, a performance 
 which, at that time, was thought beyond the powers of 
 any horse), and as gentle and docile as a child. But 
 such a horse would have been excluded from the ranks 
 of our Cavalry, because he was two inches below the 
 standard height. From incpiiries that I have made in 
 Arabia, as well as in Bombay and elsewhere, I liave
 
 116 
 
 every reason to believe, that if the idea of a standard 
 height were done away with, and horses only selected 
 on consideration of their ability to do the work reqnired 
 of them, nearly two thonsand Aral) horses annually 
 could be supplied for our Regiments more than are 
 now purchased. 
 
 As it is, the Arab breeders are disgusted, and will 
 not bring their horses to market. I have heard them 
 declare that we prefer bad horses to good ones, — and 
 low-bred, tall, long-legged, useless creatures, tocompact, 
 powerful, little, blood Arabs, who would work the others 
 into fits in a week ; and there is much truth in the 
 declaration. 
 
 29. What is the Pay of the Troopers of the Irregular 
 Cavalry in the Bombay Army ? 
 
 The pay is different in different Regiments ; that of 
 the Sind Horse is thirty Rupees per horse and man 
 complete. 
 
 30. Has the Pay proved sufficient to enable a Corps 
 to be well Mounted and Equipped, and thoroughly 
 efficient in the Field during a protracted Campaign? 
 
 30b. Have Corps of Irregular Cavalry of the 
 Bombay Army been embarrassed by Debt or free 
 from Debt ? 
 
 31. Should any alteration be made in the Pay of 
 the Irregular Cavalry of the Bombay Army ? 
 
 This rate of pay is undoubtedly too low, and should 
 be increased. No debts are permitted in the Sind 
 Irregular Horse. I am informed that the Poena 
 Horse and other corps suffer much inconvenience from 
 debt. Two hundred men of the Poona Horse were
 
 117 
 
 transferred to the Sind Irregular Horse, and they 
 brought with them debts, acknowledged by the Com- 
 manding Officer, to the amount of forty thousand 
 Rupees. 
 
 32. What is the system of the Irregular Cavalry 
 with respect to Assamees, and the market value 
 of the Assamee ? Are there restrictions upon the 
 number which any Native Officer or capitalist of 
 the Corps may hold ? Do you advocate the exist- 
 ence, in Corps of Irregular Horse, of such large 
 vested interests, or not ; are they favourable to the 
 maintenance of the efficiency of a Corps in Horses, 
 and in Equipments, and to the conduct of duty ? 
 
 It differs much in different corps. In tlie Sind 
 Irregular Horse the sale of Assamees is allowed, per- 
 mission being obtained first, in every instance, from the 
 Commanding Officer, the sales being by open and free 
 auction to the highest bidder, — no buying is permitted. 
 Every case is specially considered ; any man wishing to 
 buy a horse (Assamee) asks permission to do so at 
 Orderly-room. • 
 
 This system works well in the Sind Irregular Horse, 
 but in this, as in other things, whatever is best admi- 
 nistered is best, and all these arrangements shoidd be 
 left to Commanding Officers, who will usually ])roduce 
 the best results when permitted to work after their own 
 fashion. 
 
 33. What is the Pay of Mounted Police in the 
 Bombay Presidency and in Sind ? 
 
 34. What is the organisation of the Mounted 
 Police of the Bombay Presidency and that of 
 Sind?
 
 118 
 
 In Sind there are two distinct classes of Mounted 
 Police — the one organised like the Bengal Irregular 
 (Rivalry, receiving twenty rupees a month per man and 
 horse ; and the other perfectly Irregular Belooch Horse, 
 receiving fifteen rupees a month per man and horse. 
 
 35. Of what Races, Tribes, or Castes is the Mount- 
 ed Police of the Bombay Presidency composed, 
 and of what Races, &c. is the Mounted Police of 
 Sind composed ? 
 
 The first class is chiefly composed of men of Hin- 
 doostan ; the second class of the Belooch tribes of 
 Upper Sind. 
 
 36. How is the Mounted Police Recruited, that is, 
 what is the Agency employed, — the precautions 
 taken before or by the local Authorities in enter- 
 taining them ? 
 
 By volunteers. No agency is employed, and no 
 precautions are taken. 
 
 37. Where Districts are large and duty heavy, has 
 the Pay of the Mounted Police at Rupees twenty 
 per mensem been found adequate, and the Police 
 well mounted and efficient ? 
 
 The pay, twenty and fifteen rupees respectively, is, 
 I think, sufficient. 
 
 38. Is the difference between the Pay of Horse 
 Police and that of Irregular Horse such as to 
 ensure the latter the superior mounting essential 
 for his peculiar service ? 
 
 It does not appear to me that the diflference between
 
 119 
 
 the Pay of the Police and that of the Irregular Cavalry- 
 can, in any way, affect the supply of horses for the 
 latter. 
 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier. 
 
 IV. — European Officers. 
 
 1. Within your experience, have the powers of 
 Commandants of Corps of the Light Cavalry in 
 the Bombay Army, or of Irregular Cavalry, been 
 increased or diminished ? 
 
 2. During the above period, have the powers of 
 Officers Commanding Troops of the Regular Na- 
 tive Cavalry of the Bombay Army been increased 
 or diminished ? 
 
 3. What has been the result upon the Discipline 
 of the Light Cavalry and Irregular Cavalry of the 
 Bombay Army of the increase or diminution of 
 the powers and influence of Commanding Officers 
 of Corps ? 
 
 4. What is the result of the increase or diminution 
 of the powers and influence of Officers in charge 
 of Troops ? 
 
 The system of centralisation, of subjecting the minds 
 of all Regimental Officers to a l^lind and unyielding- 
 regulation, has greatly diminished their commanding- 
 powers. The habitual non-exercise of their own reason 
 and discretion must have, and undoubtedly has, greatly 
 lessened that individual force of character by which
 
 120 
 
 alone tlio Asiatic soldier can be efficiently commanded 
 by the European Officers. 
 
 Similar questions to these have been replied to in full 
 under other heads ; these answers equally apply here, 
 and it seems unnecessar}^ to repeat at length what has 
 been before recorded. 
 
 5. Upon what does the Discipline of a Corps upon 
 service mainly depend, especially of a Native Corps, 
 upon the distant authority of Head Quarters, or 
 upon the authority and influence of Officers in 
 charge of Troops, and in command of Corps, Re- 
 gular or Irregular Cavalry ? 
 
 The real effective discipline and useful military 
 power of a corps of Asiatic soldiers in our service 
 depends wholly on the personal character and influence 
 of its English Officers. The useful power of the Asiatic 
 soldier depends entirely on what the English gentle- 
 man has instilled into him. If no virtue have gone 
 out from the English Officer, none will be found in the 
 sepoy. "^ 
 
 6. Should the powers of Commanding Officers and 
 of Troop Officers be increased or diminished ? 
 
 I have answered these questions in full above ; and it 
 seems unnecessary to repeat the replies here. 
 
 7. What other measures can you suggest for the 
 improvement of discipline ? 
 
 The scheme for the reorganisation of the Indian 
 Army proposed by me would, I am convinced, be found 
 practically to provide for every want, and to remedy 
 every defect. It would be difficult and troublesome
 
 121 
 
 to carry into effect, at first, by reason of the strong pre- 
 judices formed under the present faulty system ; but 
 there would be constant and continually increasing 
 tendency towards perfect arrangement, and, before long, 
 the soundest possible state would be arrived at, which 
 nothing could after "^-ards shake or disorder. The dis- 
 cipline would depend on internal attraction instead of 
 on external pressure — there would be a continual ten- 
 dency in all parts of the Army to aggregate the more 
 firmly instead of to fly to pieces. 
 
 8 and 9. No replies required. 
 
 10. Has the Strength of the Light Cavalry or Irre- 
 gular Cavalry been so great in times of Peace 
 that it might have been in part employed other- 
 wise than on mere Military duties ? 
 
 Certainly not in the Bombay Presidency. 
 
 1 1 . Would it have been practicable to employ the 
 Light and Irregular Cavalry of the Bombay 
 Army otherwise, without injury to its Horses and 
 Discipline ? 
 
 I know not on what duties it is here proposed that 
 the Cavalry should be employed, 'i'he Irregular Cavalry 
 of the Bombay Army are already continually employed 
 on every species of duty on which Cavalry could be 
 employed at all. 
 
 12. If Native Regular Cavalry be kept up with a 
 full comj)lenient of European Officers, would you 
 place Cavahy Cadets at once to Native Corps, or 
 for a time to Dragoon Corps ? 
 
 It is a most excellent arrangement to cause all Offi-
 
 122 
 
 ccrs, on first joining the Army, to serve for a year or 
 tv70 with an European Regiment, if such Regiment be 
 well coinnianded ; but the advantage of the arrangement 
 depends wholly on the character, conduct, internal 
 good order, and discipline of the European Corps to 
 which the young Officer may be attached. 
 
 13. If a few European Officers are assigned to 
 Native Corps of Cavalry, whether Regular or 
 Irregular, how would you select and train them ? 
 
 A few known good Officers should be selected at 
 first for merit alone to command Regiments. These 
 Commandants should be permitted to select their own 
 subordinates, and thus a school for the training of 
 future Commanders would at once be found. 
 
 A young Officer or two might be occasionally or 
 generally attached to do duty with a Regiment, and 
 would thus have an opportunity of qualifying himself 
 for permanent appointments in the Corps. All these 
 matters are fully provided for in my scheme for the 
 reorganisation of the Army. 
 
 14. Is the efficiency of the Corps of Regular 
 Cavalry in the Bombay Army affected by the 
 number of Officers taken away from their Corps 
 for Staff appointments ? 
 
 The Regular Cavalry is so well paid and is so fa- 
 vorite a Service that there is very little inducement to 
 any Officer to accept any appointment elsewhere : the 
 efficiency of a Cavalry Corps is, therefore, never injured 
 by the number of Officers withdrawn from it for Staff 
 employ.
 
 123 
 
 15. Speaking from your own experience, has any 
 difference been observable, in the course of JMu- 
 tinies, in the conduct of Corps (whether Regular 
 or Irregular Cavalry) whose complement of Euro- 
 pean Officers was short or full ? 
 
 There has been no open mutiny in the Cavalry of 
 the Bombay Army — Regular or Irregular ; but I am 
 aware that a large number of men of our Regular 
 Cavalry were disaffected, and inclined not to support 
 their Officers. 
 
 The number of European Officers actually present 
 with a corps does not appear to me to have caused 
 any effect on the fidelity, or otherwise, of the sepoys, 
 but the construction — the organisation of a corps, on 
 the principle of having the Captains and Subalterns of 
 Troops European Officers in the one case, and Native 
 Officers in the other, produces a most powerful effect 
 on the fidelity of the Native soldiers. It is not the 
 mere number of European Officers which affects this 
 question ; but it is certain that Native Indian soldiers 
 are always more powerful, more obedient, and more 
 faithful, under a few well selected Officers, than under 
 a great number taken at hazard without regard to 
 character or qualification. 
 
 16. In the event of Irregular Cavalry being the 
 only Native Cavalry maintained in the Indian 
 Armies, how should tlie Officers of the Regular 
 Native Cavalry be employed — with European 
 Dragoon Corps raised for Service in India, or 
 with the Irregular (Javahy substituted for tlic 
 Recfidar ? 
 
 With the Euiopean Dragoons. No Native Indian
 
 124 
 
 troops can ever be properly organised — can ever be 
 made perfectly trustworthy' — unless the European 
 Ofhccrs be a})pointed to them by judicious selection, 
 and then allowed full powers over their men. 
 
 Most of the Officers formed in the old Regular 
 school would probably l)e found unfit to command 
 Natives on sounder principles than those to which they 
 had been accustomed. 
 
 1 7. Of what Strength should the Corps of European 
 Dragoons raised for Service in India be, — that is, 
 the aggregate Force of European Dragoons being 
 fixed, should it be divided into Corps of 400 
 Sabres, or Corps of 800 Sabres, or of any other 
 number, with a view to effectively meeting the 
 requirements of the Service ? 
 
 The best strength for a Cavalry Regiment is, in my 
 opinion, 800 men of all ranks. 
 
 18. If Corps of the Strength of 400 Sabres were 
 preferred, would the same Number of European 
 Officers as are now attached to Corps of Native 
 Regular Cavalry suffice, and could the Officers 
 be thus rendered available ? 
 
 Four hundred (400) is, in my opinion, too few for 
 a Cavahy Regiment, and the principle of adjusting the 
 organisation of the Army to provide for a temporary 
 and accidental circumstance seems to me to be very 
 faulty. 
 
 19. Is the System of formation in Double Ranks as 
 well suited to European Cavalry in India as the 
 System advocated by many British and Foreign
 
 125 
 
 Officers of experience, viz. that Cavalry should 
 form and manoeuvre in Single Rank ? Please to 
 state, at length, the grounds upon which your 
 opinion is based. 
 
 I have often used the single rank formation on parti- 
 cular occasions — in war as in exercise ; and I think it 
 sometimes very convenient, and often more powerful, 
 in attack, than the two rank close formation, especially 
 when the numbers are small. 
 
 20. Assuming the Single Rank system to be desirable 
 in India, of what Strength should each Corps be ? 
 
 The most essential thing to the success of Cavalry 
 attacks is the having good and ready supports and 
 reserves ; the separating the two ranks from each other 
 gives more supports and reserves, disorder in the leading 
 rank being then quite consistent with perfect order in 
 the one following it. 
 
 The single rank formation may be — I certainly am 
 of opinion that it is — more convenient and more power- 
 ful ; but it is so solely because the second rank, remov(Kl 
 to a certain distance in rear, forms a better support for 
 the front rank than when close up to it. 
 
 But these formations do not appear to me to affect, 
 in the slightest degree, the question of the number of 
 men it is best to have in a Regiment. 
 
 It signifies nothing, in a tactical point of view, what 
 the strength of a Regiment of Cavalry may be ; for, 
 under arms, the intcgca- of the Cavahy lines is the 
 squadron as the battahon is of the Infantry. You 
 may have as many squadrons as you please in a 
 Regiment.
 
 126 
 
 But 800 men form a very convenient number for a 
 Reo:imental Command, and of this strenofth I should re- 
 commend all Cavalry Regiments, Native and European, 
 to bo, whatever tactical formations might be adopted. 
 
 '21. Would it be practicable and advisable to attach 
 to each European Corps of Cavalry a body of 
 Native Irreo'ular Horse ? 
 
 It would certainly be practicable to do so, but I do 
 doubt if it would be advisable. It would, I think, be 
 much better to form the Native Irreo-ular Horse into 
 a separate Regiment, and to Brigade such Regiment, 
 when thought proper, with the European Dragoons. 
 
 22. If so, what proportion should the Native body 
 bear to the European Dragoons of the Corps ? 
 How should it be Armed — how Mounted — how 
 Officered ? 
 
 Equal numbers would be best, I think. The men 
 should be armed, mounted, and organised as described 
 for Irregular Cavalry generally. Officers for these, as 
 for all other troops of the Indian Army, should be care- 
 fully selected, in consideration of qualifications and 
 merit only, from the general list of the Army. But 
 I am very doubtful as to the propriet}'- or advantage of 
 the proposed arrangement; it might answer exceed- 
 ingly well when the Officers of the Europeans and 
 Native troops thoroughly understood the Asiatic sol- 
 diers, and treated them accordingly. 
 
 When the Native soldier feels that he is understood 
 and justly appreciated by Officers whom he also respects, 
 there is nothing which he will not readily do or
 
 127 
 
 submit to. But under other conditions a little mis- 
 understanding might lead to fatal mischief. 
 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier. 
 
 ARTILLERY. 
 
 /. — Recruiting and Composition of the Artlllerij. 
 
 1. What are the Races, Tribes, and Castes of which 
 the Native Gunners of the Bombay Artillery are 
 composed ? 
 
 Cliiefly men of Hindoostan proper. 
 
 2. What are the Races, Tribes, and Castes of which 
 the Gun Lascars of the Bombay Artillery are 
 composed? 
 
 Chiefly Concanees. 
 
 3. What are the Races, Tribes, and Castes of which 
 the Drivers of the Bombay Artillery are composed ? 
 
 Chiefly men of the Concan and Dcccan, 
 
 4. Should Native Gunners or Golundauzes continue 
 to be Enlisted and to form part of the Artillery of 
 the Bombay Army ? 
 
 I am of opinion that the Artillerymen of the Indian 
 Army should be Europeans, with the exception of a 
 very few Troops and Batteries employed in localities 
 in which Europeans could not live.
 
 128 
 
 5. Should Native Drivers continue to be employed 
 with European Artillery ? 
 
 I think not ; the constitution of the Bombay Horse 
 Artillery is, in my opinion, better where the Gunners 
 and Drivers form one body. 
 
 6. From what Districts are the several Races, Tribes, 
 or Castes which enter into the Golundauze drawn ? 
 
 Hindoostan proper. 
 
 7. From what Districts are the Races, Tribes, or 
 Castes which compose the Gun Lascars drawn ? 
 
 The Concan chiefly. 
 
 8. From what Districts are the Drivers taken ? 
 The Districts of the Deccan, the Concan, and Guzerat. 
 
 9. Have any Races, Tribes, or Castes been excluded, 
 by regulation or practice of the Service, from the 
 Golundauze of the Bombay Artillery, and if so, for 
 what reason ? 
 
 Very low castes have been excluded. 
 
 10. The same question is repeated both with respect 
 to Gun Lascars and Drivers ? 
 
 None have been excluded, I believe. 
 
 1 1 . Supposing that Native Artillery were continued 
 in the Bombay Army, are there any Races, Tribes, 
 or Castes, hitherto neglected or excluded, from 
 whom Recruits for the Golundauze might, with 
 advantage, be enlisted ?
 
 129 
 
 t think that the Artillery generally should be 
 European. 
 
 The question of considering races, tribes, castes, &c. 
 has been fully replied to in answering questions relating 
 to other arms — the principles there referred to are of 
 universal application. 
 
 12. What Agency is employed for the Enlistment 
 of Recruits for the Golundauze of the Bombay 
 Artillery; for the Gun Lascars, and for the Drivers ? 
 
 Regimental only. 
 
 13. On entertaiment of Recruits for the Golundauze, 
 the Gun Lascars, or the Drivers of the Bombay 
 Artillery, what precautions of Registry and other 
 Forms are taken before the local Authorities of 
 Districts ? 
 
 None. 
 
 14. Would you suggest any alterations in the 
 Recruiting Regulations or practice, if Golundauze 
 continue to be Enlisted ? 
 
 All should be left to Regimental and Battalion 
 Commanders. 
 
 15. The same Question is put with regard to Gun 
 Lascars and Drivers ? 
 
 Answered above. 
 
 16. What are the words of the Oath administered 
 to the Recruit on his beinc: admitted into the 
 Golundauze of the Bombay Artillery ? 
 
 The same as is in use throughout the Native Army. 
 17j
 
 130 
 
 17. The same Question is repeated with regard to 
 the Gun Lascars and Drivers ? 
 
 Answered above. 
 
 18. How long has this form of Oath been in use in 
 the Bombay Artillery ? 
 
 Since 1792, I believe. 
 
 19. Can you recommend any improvement in the 
 wordino; or matter of the Oath administered to the 
 Golundauze, Gun Lascars, or Drivers, when first 
 Enrolled ; or would you substitute any form or 
 eno-ao'ement for the Oath ? 
 
 I have a strong impression that all such Oaths are of 
 most mischievous effect, and would abolish them in 
 toto. This subject has been fully treated of in replies 
 to questions regarding the other arms. 
 
 20. If Native Artiller^^men continue to be used, 
 should the different Battalions be raised each in 
 a prescribed District, and be Recruited there, and 
 there only, or be Recruited over a wide area, 
 irrespective of Districts. 
 
 All such arrangements should be left to Regimental 
 Commanders. 
 
 21. The same Question is repeated with regard to 
 Gun Lascars and Drivers ? 
 
 Answered above. 
 
 22. Should the Battalions, or Companies, or Troops 
 of Golundauze, be homogeneous as to Race or 
 Caste, or Composite, having all Tribes or Castes 
 mixed up together ?
 
 131 
 
 No difference of race, tribe, caste, &c. should be 
 considered or acknowledged in any way. Individual 
 fitness should alone be thought of. 
 
 23. If Composite, in what proportion should the 
 various Races, Tribes, or Castes be entertained ? 
 
 Answered above. 
 
 24. The two foregoing Questions are repeated with 
 reference to Gun Lascars and to Drivers ? 
 
 Answered above. 
 
 25. What Agency should be employed for Recruit- 
 ing Golundauze, Gun Lascars, and Drivers ? 
 
 Regimental only. 
 
 26. What precautions should be taken before the 
 local Authorities, or through their instrumentality, 
 when Enlisting Recruits for the Golundauze, Gun 
 Lascars, and Drivers? 
 
 None. 
 
 27. If Native Drivers be discontinued, would you 
 replace them by Europeans raised for that duty, or 
 by European Gunners trained to the duty as part 
 of their Exercise, or by Anglo-Indians enrolled 
 for this special duty ? 
 
 I would adopt the organisation of the Bombay Horse 
 Artillery — the Gunners and Drivers forming one body. 
 
 (Signed) .1. Jacoh, Brigadier General, 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier.
 
 132 
 
 //. — Rules of Discipline and Military Code. 
 
 \ . Are the same Articles of War applicable to the 
 European Gunners and to the Golundauze of the 
 Bombay Army ? 
 
 No. 
 
 2. Can you suggest any improvements in the 
 Articles of War now in use in the Golundauze of 
 the Bombay Army ? 
 
 I have a strong opinion that these Articles of War 
 should be totally abolished ? 
 
 3. Can you suggest any improvements in the Arti- 
 cles of War as respects European Artillery ? 
 
 4. Are Gun Lascars and Drivers under the same 
 Articles of War as the Golundauze, and do any im- 
 provements suggested comprehend these Classes ? 
 
 Yes, they are so. 
 
 The improvement I would adopt would be the 
 having no Articles of War whatever. 
 
 5. Should the special Rules, regulating Punishment 
 in the Native Army, be retained, or should they 
 be assimilated to the Rules which obtain in the 
 British Army ? 
 
 Commanding Officers should have Magisterial 
 powers over all ranks of Native Indians under their 
 command, and no special rules are required. 
 
 6. Does the System of Native Courts Martial work 
 satisfactorily in the Native Artillery of the Bom- 
 bay Army ? 
 
 No.
 
 133 
 
 7. What means are adopted to acquaint the Goliin- 
 dauze, Gun Lascars, and Drivers with the MiHtary 
 Code under which they serve ? 
 
 The Articles of War are read to them monthly. 
 
 8. What proportion of the Golundauze, Gun Las- 
 cars, and Drivers can read and comprehend the 
 Articles of War in their own Vernacular ? 
 
 I cannot say. 
 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier. 
 
 ///. — Organisation, Promotion, and He wards. 
 
 1. In the Bombay Artillery what is the System of 
 Promotion in force for the Gun Lascars, Golun- 
 dauzes, and Drivers : is it based on Merit alone ; 
 on Seniority alone; or on Merit and Seniority 
 combined ? 
 
 On merit and seniority combined. 
 
 2. Are the Native Commissioned Officers and Non- 
 commissioned Officers of the Golundauze generally 
 intelligent, useful, and efficient? 
 
 My personal experience dates twenty years back : 
 they were so then ; but tlie fact is, tliat assimilation 
 with the pi-actice in Bengal has ruined the Native 
 Artillery of Bomljay.
 
 134 
 
 3. Are their acquirements usually of a higher 
 crrade than those of the Golundauze from among: 
 whom they have risen ? 
 
 Yes, generally. 
 
 4. Is there any Test or Examination prior to Pro- 
 motion to a Commissioned Grade, or on Promo- 
 tion from one Commissioned Grade to another? 
 
 No special examination. 
 
 5. Do the Golundauze of all Grades undergo sys- 
 tematic instruction in anything else than ordi- 
 nary Gun Drill ? Are they practised at laying 
 Guns and Mortars; at cutting Fuses; judging 
 Fuses; judging Distances; adapting Charges to 
 Mortars, &:c. ; or do the European Officers them- 
 selves execute those details ? 
 
 The Natives are taught everything. The European 
 Officers, of course, also execute the details here referred 
 to. 
 
 6. Can the Golundauze of the Bombay Artillery 
 fj-equently read English and write it ? 
 
 No. 
 
 7. Is it advisable that Native Gunners should be 
 conversant with Laboratory Work? 
 
 I would have no Native Gunners ; but if there be 
 Native Gunners, they should be taught everything. 
 Suspected servants are the most dangerous of all. 
 
 8. Does the intervention of the Native Commis- 
 sioned Officers between the European Officer and
 
 135 
 
 his Men weaken or strengthen the position and 
 influence of the European Officer ? 
 
 The influence of o-ood Native Officers is invaluable. 
 
 9. Have the Native Commissioned and Non-Com- 
 missioned Officers of Golundauze been found, on 
 occasions of Mutiny, to evince cordial fidelity, to 
 give timely information, and effectively to aid their 
 European Officers in checking or quelling Mutiny ? 
 Have the Native Officers passively or overtly 
 sided with the Mutineers, or with the Government 
 they had sworn to serve, and with the European 
 Officers ? 
 
 Their conduct has been extremely various. 
 
 10. If Native Artillery be continued in the Bombay 
 Army, should the Grades of Native Commissioned 
 Officers be maintained or abolished ? 
 
 Maintained. 
 
 1 1 . Would the substitution of such a number of 
 European Non-Commissioned Officers, as would 
 give one to each Gun of a Battery, in lieu of the 
 Native Commissioned Officers of Golundauze, be 
 advisable ? 
 
 No. 
 
 12. If the aboliti(m of the Grades of Golundauze 
 Commissioned Officers be advisable, and the pro- 
 spect of distinction and emolument bo thus closed 
 to the Golundauze, would a graduated scale of Good 
 Service Pay and Retiring Pensions, claimable after 
 specified periods of Service, be compensatory
 
 13(J 
 
 encouragement, and as efficacious as Commissioned 
 Grades ? 
 
 No. 
 
 13. Have Retiring Pensions proved efiectilal in at- 
 tacliino: the Golundauze to the British Service and 
 the British Rule ? 
 
 To a limited extent they have so. This seems to me 
 to be a very important subject, and I have treated of it 
 in full in replies to questions regarding other arms. 
 
 14. Do the Drivers and Gun Lascars receive Pen- 
 sions ? 
 
 The Lascars do ; the Drivers do not. 
 
 15. Have the Drivers and Gun Lascars of the Bom- 
 bay Artillery been found faithful in times of 
 Mutiny ? 
 
 Generally so. 
 
 16. Should the System of Pensions, as now in force 
 by Regulation, be maintained, or modified, or pro- 
 spectively abolished ? 
 
 Modified, as fully set forth in replies to questions 
 respecting other arms. 
 
 Pensioners should remain with their Reoiments. 
 
 'to' 
 
 17. Can you state the Charge upon the Finances 
 of the Bombay Presidency on account of Military 
 Pensions to the Native Artillery of the Bombay 
 Army ? 
 
 No.
 
 137 
 
 18. Should not the Sj^stem of Promotion generally 
 by Seniority to the Grades of Native Commissioned 
 Officers (if these be retained) be altered, and Pro- 
 motion for merit and efficiency be the rule ? 
 
 Undoubtedly. 
 
 19. Are Commissioned Officers of Golundauze 
 generally fit to take part in the conduct of 
 Courts Martial ? 
 
 I believe so. 
 
 20. Are Native Commissioned Officers on a par 
 with European Serjeants and Corporals in profes- 
 sional intelligence and efficiency ? 
 
 I think so. 
 
 21. Under the supposition that the Artillery be 
 wholly European, would it be advisal)le to assi- 
 milate it, as far as practicable, with the Royal 
 Artillery ? 
 
 The Bombay Artillery does not require re- modelling. 
 It diffi^rs from the Royal Artillery only in respect of 
 such matters wherein the difference of localities renders 
 such differences necessary. 
 
 22. What would this assimilation involve of change 
 in the System of the Bombay Artillery ? 
 
 I cannot answer these rpiestions witli precision suffi- 
 cient to render tlie replies of any value. 
 
 23. What would it involve of change in the Mate- 
 rial of the Boinl^ay Artillery ? 
 
 24. What modifications would it be expedient to 
 
 18 J
 
 138 
 
 maintain in the organisation of the Bombay 
 Artillery, when assimilating it to the Royal Artil- 
 lery, in conseqnence of the nature of the country, 
 climate, and service? 
 
 The principle appears to me to be totally erroneous. 
 The Bombay Artillery is organised for service in the 
 Bombay Presidency — its peculiarities adapt it to that 
 locality. It cannot be right to break up this order 
 and re-arrange the machinery on a plan adapted to 
 different circumstances. 
 
 25. Need the Material of the Bombay Artillery, if 
 assimilated to that of the Royal Artillery, be at 
 all modified in consequence of climate and service 
 in India ? 
 
 2G. Do you advocate the maintenance of Horse 
 Artiller}^ at its present Strength ? 
 
 Undoubtedly — the Horse Artillery is the most effi- 
 cient portion of the Corps. 
 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier. 
 
 IV. — European Officers. 
 
 1 . Within your experience have the powers of the 
 Commandants of Native Battalions of Artillery, 
 and of Officers in Command of Golundauze Bat- 
 teries of the Bombay Artillery, been increased or 
 diminished ? 
 
 I cannot say.
 
 139 
 
 2. What has been the result upon the Discipline of 
 the Golundauze of the Bombay Artillery ? 
 
 Answered above. 
 
 3. If Golundauze Artillery is continued, what mea- 
 sures can you suggest for the improvement of 
 Discipline, and the confirmation of the influence 
 and authority of the European Officers ? 
 
 Abolish Articles of ^yar; and leave Regimental 
 Officers to deal with their own men as they find best. 
 
 4. Is the efficiency of the Bombay Corps of Artillery 
 aflfected by the Number of Officers taken away 
 from Corps duties for Staff" employment ? 
 
 No — scarcely any taken away. 
 
 5. How can the demand for European Officers of 
 Artillery for Staff" and Detached employments be 
 best provided for, without injuring the efficiency 
 of the Corps of Bombay Artillery ? 
 
 By augmenting the numbers of Officers — chiefly of 
 the Captains. 
 
 6. Would the General Standard of acquirements 
 be lowered ))y any measure which, by removing 
 the hope of Staff" employment, cuts off* the induce- 
 ment wliich Artillery Officers now have to<|ualify 
 themselves in Languages, Sciences, and Special 
 branches of knowledge useful to the State ? 
 
 Undoubtedly. 
 
 All such attempts are ruinous. Every oflort should 
 be made to cultivate and devclopc individual powcis
 
 140 
 
 and qualifications, and to employ these wherever they 
 may bo found most useful to the State, without the 
 least regard to the particular branch of the service to 
 which the Officer may belong. 
 
 (Signed) J, Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier. 
 
 ENGINEER SOLDIERS, OR SAPPERS AND 
 MINERS. 
 
 /. — The Recruiting and Composition of Corps. 
 
 Nos. 1 to 32. 
 
 33. With reference to the numerous demands for 
 skilled European Overseers and Subordinates in 
 the Department of Public Works, and to Military 
 requirements, is it advisable to have, in addition 
 to Native, a Corps of European Sappers and Mi- 
 ners ; if so, of what Strength and how Officered? 
 
 Undoubtedly there should be a corps of European 
 Sappers and Miners belonging to the Army of each 
 Presidency. Such corps should be, at least, (800) eight 
 hundred strong, divided into ten companies, fully 
 officered by regular Engineer Officers — a Captain and 
 2 Subalterns to each company, with Field Officers and 
 Staff as usual. 
 
 34. Could the Corps of Bombay Engineers furnish 
 the requisite Number of Officers ?
 
 141 
 
 No; it assuredly could not do so in its present 
 strength. 
 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier. 
 
 //. — Rules of Discipline and Military Code. 
 
 1. Can you suggest improvements in the Articles 
 of War in use in the Bombay Army ? 
 
 Nos. 2 to 4. 
 
 Abolish them altogether. 
 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier. 
 
 ///. — Organisation, Promotion, and Rewards. 
 Nos. 1 to 18. 
 
 IV. — European Officers. 
 
 Nos. 1 to 6. 
 
 I have not sufficient acquaintance with the details 
 of information regarding the Bombay Saj)pcrs and 
 Miners specially, which is necessary to enal)le me to 
 reply to these questions with advantage. Those ques- 
 tions which have reference to general arraDgcincnts
 
 142 
 
 and principles liave been fully answered by me in 
 re})lies to questions regarding other arms, and it appears 
 useless to repeat the answers here. 
 
 (Signed) J. Jacob, Brigadier General, 
 Political Superintendent and Commandant on 
 
 the Frontier. 
 
 f7 45 14 
 
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