Lal Kurti College Essay Example

began on May 10, 1857, in Meerut with a mutiny by soldiers of the East India Company's army. It rapidly extended to other mutinies and civilian uprisings in the upper Gangetic plain and central India. The major areas affected were Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, northern Madhya Pradesh, and the Delhi region. This rebellion presented a notable obstacle to the Company's control in the region and concluded when Gwalior was captured on June 20, 1858.

The rebellion in India, known by various names such as India's First War of Independence, the Great Rebellion, the Indian Mutiny, the Revolt of 1857, the Uprising of 1857, the Sepoy Rebellion, and the Sepoy Mutiny, originated from multiple grievances. However, its intensity escalated when soldiers were ordered to bite off paper cartridges for their rifles. These cartridges were believed to be greased with animal fat - Hindus perceived it as beef fat while Muslims considered it pork fat - which directly violated their religious beliefs.

In Company-controlled India, regions such as Bengal, the Bombay Presidency, and the Madras Presidency remained relatively peaceful. Punjab, however, supported the Company with soldiers and assistance from Sikh princes.

Major princely states like Hyderabad, Mysore, Travancore, and Kashmir did not participate in the rebellion. Smaller states like Rajputana also stayed out of it. In areas like Oudh, the rebellion had a nationalist character as it opposed European presence.

Maratha leaders like Lakshmibai, the Rani of Jhansi, later became heroes in India's nationalist movement but did not establish a unified ideology for a new order.

The rebellion led to the dissolution of the East India Company in 1858. It also prompted restructuring of the army, financial system, and administration by the British

in India. Consequently, India came under direct rule of the crown as the new British Raj.

During World War I, the Indian Army played a crucial role by deploying numerous divisions and independent brigades across the European, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern theaters. Around one million Indian troops served overseas during this time, resulting in 62,000 fatalities and 67,000 injuries. The total death toll of Indian soldiers in the war amounted to 74,187. As World War II commenced in 1939, the Indian Army consisted of approximately 200,000 soldiers.

The Indian Army achieved the status of the largest volunteer army in history by the end of World War II, with over 2.5 million men in August 1945. They demonstrated their capabilities on three continents - Africa, Europe, and Asia - through divisions dedicated to infantry, armour, and a burgeoning airborne force. Notable battles included engagements against the Italian Army in Ethiopia, as well as Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and Italy following the Italian surrender.

However, their primary focus lay in countering the Japanese Army. Although they initially faced defeat in Malaya and were forced to retreat from Burma to reach the Indian border; after regrouping and preparing for another advance into Burma, they became an integral part of the grandest British Empire army ever assembled.

The campaigns led to the deaths of more than 36,000 Indian servicemen, with another 34,354 wounded and 67,340 becoming prisoners of war. Their bravery was rewarded through approximately 4,000 decorations, and 38 members of the Indian Army were honored with the Victoria Cross or the George Cross. The main cause of World War II was Adolf Hitler's desire and ability to dominate Europe and control the agrarian

resources in Eastern Germany, as he led Nazi Germany.

The German people desired "Lebensraum" or living space, leading Hitler to form alliances with Japan, who aimed for dominance in Asia and China, Italy, who eagerly sought control over parts of the Balkans, as well as other smaller countries. By 1939, Hitler successfully gained control over Austria and Czechoslovakia. However, Britain and France shifted their approach from appeasement to deterrence by declaring that they would engage in war if Germany attacked Poland. Hitler perceived this as a bluff.

In late August, an agreement was signed between him and the Soviet Union to divide up Poland and the Baltic states. This led to Germany invading Poland on 1 September 1939, causing Great Britain and France to declare war on Germany and initiating World War II. The main causes of World War I, which started in central Europe in late July 1914 and concluded in 1918, included long-standing conflicts and hostility that had accumulated over forty years. Additionally, militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism all played important roles in the conflict.

The war had its origins in decisions made during the Crisis of 1914, which was triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie. Gavrilo Princip, an irredentist Serb and member of the Serbian terrorist group called the Black Hand, carried out this act. On February 18, 1946, there occurred a mutiny known as the Royal Indian Navy mutiny (also referred to as the Royal Indian Revolt or Bombay Mutiny). During this event, Indian sailors from the Royal Indian Navy went on strike and revolted on board ships and shore establishments at Bombay (Mumbai) harbour.

The rebellion,

which began in Bombay, spread and gained support across British India, encompassing Karachi to Calcutta. It eventually involved 78 ships, 20 shore establishments, and 20,000 sailors. The British Royal Navy forcefully suppressed the uprising. While the Communist Party stood in support of the strikers, the Congress and the Muslim League condemned them. Nationalist historians with far-left views interpret the mutiny as a rebellion against the British Raj and imperial rule enforced by the armies of the British East India Company.

The British East India Company's dominance in India grew steadily, transforming from a trading enterprise to the governing body for the British Government in India within two centuries. In the mid-18th century, the company began enlisting Indian soldiers and maintained control through three separate Presidencies located in Madras, Bombay, and Bengal, each with its own military forces. At the beginning of Queen Victoria's reign, there was minimal resistance to British rule in Madras and Bombay, resulting in the Bengal Army becoming both the largest and most frequently deployed.

During the Vellore Mutiny in 1806, the armies of the three presidencies had a total strength of 154,500 soldiers, making them one of the largest standing armies globally. The Company also incorporated its own white units referred to as "European" which included infantry battalions and field or horse artillery companies primarily from Ireland. These units were supplemented by British Army troops known as "Queen's" troops who served in India at the expense of the Company. The top-ranking positions within the Company's armies were exclusively occupied by officers from the British Army.

The Native Infantry regiments were formed with 26 British officers and 2 British warrant officers. Despite their proficiency in

Urdu or other Indian languages, all Indian personnel were subordinate to even the lowest-ranking British officers. The highest rank for an Indian soldier was Subadar-Major (or Rissaldar-Major in regular cavalry units), which was essentially a senior subaltern position.

The Company's army consisted of Irregular cavalry and infantry units. These units were either locally recruited from different communities or assimilated from the armies of annexed "princely" states. In these units, there were typically seven British officers, but Indian personnel held more influence. To train its British officers, the Company had its own institution called the Addiscombe Military Seminary. Promotions in the Company's army were based solely on seniority, regardless of whether the personnel were British or Indian.

Similar to the Purchase system, this system hindered the advancement and skills development of officers. Merit and initiative were not encouraged, resulting in slow promotions and unsuitable individuals achieving high ranks based solely on their longevity. Numerous talented junior British officers were enticed away from regimental duties to work as staff members or civil administrators. In addition, Indian officers frequently became frustrated by their limited authority and lack of opportunities.

The army of The Company resembled the British Army in terms of their attire and equipment. However, the Irregular units would often wear uniforms inspired by the region where they were recruited from. During field operations, the British officers in The Company would typically dress more appropriately compared to the overly decorated and less practical uniforms of Queen's officers. The artillery used by The Company was typically lighter than that of the British Army. For instance, they would use a 6-pounder instead of a 9-pounder horse artillery, taking into consideration the challenging

climate and terrain they operated in.

The term "Garrison" refers to a group of troops stationed at a specific location, originally for guarding purposes, but now often using it as their home base. This location is typically a city, town, fort, castle, or similar establishment. "Garrison town" is frequently used to describe a town that has a military base nearby.

A garrison is usually situated in a town, city, fortress, castle, or similar establishment. The term "garrison town" refers to any town with a nearby military base. Cawnpore played a significant role as a garrison town for the East India Company forces. It was strategically located on the Grand Trunk Road near Sindh (Sind), Punjab, and Awadh (Oudh). By June 1857, the Indian rebellion had spread to neighboring regions such as Meerut, Agra, Mathura, and Lucknow. However, the Indian sepoys stationed in Cawnpore initially remained loyal.

The British General at Cawnpore, Hugh Wheeler, had knowledge of the local language, embraced local customs, and was married to an Indian woman. He believed in the loyalty of the sepoys at Cawnpore and sent two British companies (one from the 84th Regiment and one from the 32nd Regiment) to Lucknow, which was under siege. In total, there were around nine hundred people in Cawnpore - about three hundred military personnel, three hundred women and children, and approximately one hundred and fifty individuals involved in trade, owning businesses, playing drums, working as engineers, or other occupations.

The native servants who remained after the siege departed soon after. The British originally came to India for trade but eventually gained control, making India part of the British Empire. In Pune (also called Poonah or

Poona) and nearby Khadki (also known as Kirkee), they had a strong military presence. Therefore, it made sense for the British to want a church for their soldiers, resulting in the establishment of garrison churches.

This is the oldest Church in Poona or its surrounding areas, established by Lieutenant Nash of the East India Company's Engineers. The church has a tower at the west end, which is topped with a combination of lath and plaster. St. Mary's Church in Poona is not only the oldest but also the most prominent one, housing numerous memorials dedicated to wise individuals and valiant warriors. Within its walls, one can find stone and brass plaques honoring many distinguished individuals.