Armies of the East India Company 1750–1850

Armies of the East India Company 1750–1850 cover

Description

Contrary to popular belief, the capture of India was not accomplished by the British Army, but by the private armies of the East India Company, whose primary objective was the protection of their trading empire. Under the leadership of the legendary Robert Clive (founder of the East India Company) and Stringer Lawrence, this small force of mercenaries and adventurers grew in size and strength to eventually become an army larger than that of any European sovereign state. Highly disciplined and professional, it fought almost continuously for a century until the Great Mutiny of 1857 led to its disbandment and its troops passed into Crown service. One of the many British Army officers who fought with this force was Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington. This is the fascinating history of the East India Company army, examining the many conflicts in which they fought, and their equipment and training, with its regiments of horse, foot and guns, which rivalled those of most European powers. The exotic uniforms combining traditional Indian and British dress are illustrated in detail and make for a wonderfully colorful account of a private band of adventurers that successfully captured the jewel of the British Empire.

Table of Contents

Origins – defence companies raised for trading stations · The reforms of Stringer Lawrence and Robert Clive 1740s–50s · Campaigns: Against Dupleix 1751–54 – Suraja Dowla and the 'Black Hole of Calcutta' 1756 – battle of Plassey, 1757 · The Mysore Wars 1766–69, 1780–83, 1789–92 · First Maratha War 1779–82 · Fourth Mysore War, 1799 – Tippoo Shaib and Arthur Wellesley at Seringapatum · Second Maratha War 1803–05 · Hindustan & Gurkha Wars 1804–16 · Third Maratha War 1817–18 · Burma War 1823–26 · First Afghan War 1839–42 · Sind 1843 · First and Second Sikh Wars 1848–49 · Evolution of uniforms and equipment

Product details

Published Aug 18 2009
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 48
ISBN 9781846034602
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 29 b/w; 21 col
Dimensions 10 x 7 inches
Series Men-at-Arms
Short code MAA 453
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Stuart Reid

Stuart Reid was born in Aberdeen in 1954 and is ma…

Illustrator

Gerry Embleton

Gerry Embleton has been a leading illustrator an…

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