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| image_size = 150
| image_size = 150
|caption=
|caption=
|country=
|allegiance={{flag|East India Company}} (1756-1895)<br>{{flag|British India}} (1895-1908)
|branch=[[Presidency armies]]
|country={{flagicon|East India Company}} [[Company rule in India|Company ruled India]]<br>{{flag|British India}}
|branch=
|type=[[Formation (military)|Command]]
|type=[[Formation (military)|Command]]
|dates= 1756–1895 (as the Bengal Army)<br>1895–1908 (as the Bengal Command of the Indian Army)
|dates= 1756–1895 (as the Bengal Army)&lt;br&gt;1895–1908 (as the Bengal Command of the British Indian Army)
|specialization=
|specialization=
|command_structure=
|command_structure=[[Presidency armies]]
|size=105,000 (1876)<ref name=raugh>Raugh, p. 55</ref>
|size=105,000 (1876)&lt;ref name=raugh&gt;Raugh, p. 55&lt;/ref&gt;
|current_commander=
|current_commander=
|garrison=[[Nainital]], [[Nainital district]] (1895–1908)<ref>Shah, p. 97</ref>
|garrison=[[Nainital]], [[Nainital district]] (1895–1908)&lt;ref&gt;Shah, p. 97&lt;/ref&gt;
|battles=
|battles=
|notable_commanders=
|notable_commanders=
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The '''Bengal Army''' was the army of the [[Bengal Presidency]], one of the three presidencies of [[Presidencies and provinces of British India|British India]] within the [[British Empire]].
The '''Bengal Army''' was the army of the [[Bengal Presidency]], one of the three presidencies of [[Presidencies and provinces of British India|British India]] within the [[British Empire]].


The [[presidency armies]], like the presidencies themselves, belonged to the [[East India Company]] (EIC) until the [[Government of India Act 1858]] (passed in the aftermath of the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]]) transferred all three presidencies to the direct authority of the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British Crown]].
It was formed in 1756 and underwent various re-organisations, including the creation of irregular infantry and cavalry regiments during the 1840s. It was originally recruited from high-caste Hindus but more diversity was introduced after 1857.


In 1895 all three presidency armies were merged into the [[British Indian Army|Indian Army]].
The [[presidency armies]], like the presidencies themselves, belonged to the [[East India Company]] (EIC) until the [[Government of India Act 1858]], passed in the aftermath of the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]], transferred all three presidencies to the direct authority of the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British Crown]]. In 1895 the three presidency armies were merged into the [[British Indian Army]].


==History==
==History==
===Origins===
===Origins===


The Bengal Army originated with the establishment of a European Regiment in 1756.<ref>Raugh, p. 46</ref> While the East India Company had previously maintained a small force of Dutch and Eurasian mercenaries in Bengal, this was destroyed when [[Siege of Calcutta|Calcutta was captured]] by the Nawab of Bengal on 30 June that year.<ref>{{cite book|first=Stuart|last=Reid|page=5|title=Armies of the East India Company 1750–1850|date=18 August 2009|isbn=978-1-84603-460-2}}</ref>
The Bengal Army originated with the establishment of a European Regiment in 1756.&lt;ref&gt;Raugh, p. 46&lt;/ref&gt; While the East India Company had previously maintained a small force of Dutch and Eurasian mercenaries in Bengal, this was destroyed when [[Siege of Calcutta|Calcutta was captured]] by the Nawab of Bengal on 30 June that year.&lt;ref&gt;{{cite book|first=Stuart|last=Reid|page=5|title=Armies of the East India Company 1750–1850|date=18 August 2009|publisher=Bloomsbury USA |isbn=978-1-84603-460-2}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
===East India Company===
[[File:Troops in the East India Company's service, a Sergeant and a Grenadier Sepoy of the Bengal Army, 1812.jpg|thumb|upright|1812 illustration of a Bengal Army sergeant and grenadier]]
 
In 1757, the first locally recruited unit of Bengal [[sepoys]] was created in the form of the ''Lal Paltan'' battalion. It was recruited from soldiers that had served in the Nawab's Army from Bihar and the Awadh ([[Oudh]]) who were collectively called [[Purbiya]]s. Drilled and armed along British army lines this force served well at the [[Battle of Plassey]] in 1757 and 20 more Indian battalions were raised by 1764. In 1766, the [[Monghyr Mutiny]], quelled by [[Robert Clive]], affected many of the white officers of the Bengal Army.&lt;ref&gt;{{cite book |last1=Martin |first1=Robert Montgomery |title=Our Indian Empire and the Adjacent Countries of Afghanistan, Beloochistan, Persia, Etc., Depicted and Described by Pen and Pencil |year=1879 |publisher=London Print. and Publishing Company |page=305 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IlABAAAAQAAJ |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
In his deposition, [[Lieutenant General]] [[Jasper Nicolls]], who was an army commander stationed in India, stated of the Bengal Army's recruitment that:&lt;ref&gt;{{cite book |last1=Barat |first1=Amiya |title=The Bengal Native Infantry: Its Organisation and Discipline, 1796-1852 |date=1962 |publisher=Firma K.L. Mukhopadhyay |page=119 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rsoHAAAAMAAJ&amp;q=%22the+whole+sepoy+army+of+Bengal+is+drawn+from+the+Company%27s+province+of+Bihar+and+Oudh%22}}&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;ref&gt;{{cite book |last1=Parliament. House of Commons. Select Committee on the East India Company |title=Minutes of Evidence Taken Before the Select Committee on the Affairs of the East India Company: And Also an Appendix and Index, Volume 3, Part 1 |date=1832 |publisher=House of Commons |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yCtDAAAAcAAJ&amp;dq=bengal+army+%22behar%22+sepoys&amp;pg=PA1}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
{{quote|''"It may well be said that the whole sepoy army of Bengal is drawn from the Company's province of Bihar and Oudh, with very few exceptions".''|author=|title=|source=}}
 
The East India Company steadily expanded its Bengal Army and by 1796 the establishment was set at three battalions of European artillery, three regiments of European infantry, ten regiments of Indian cavalry and twelve regiments (each of two battalions) of Indian infantry.&lt;ref&gt;Mollo, pp. 13–14&lt;/ref&gt;
 
In 1824 the Bengal Army underwent reorganisation, with the regular infantry being grouped into 68 single battalion regiments numbered according to their date of establishment. Nine additional infantry regiments were subsequently raised, though several existing units were disbanded between 1826 and 1843. On the eve of the [[First Afghan War]] (1839–42) the Bengal Army had achieved a dominant role in the forces of the HEIC. There were 74 battalions of Bengal regular infantry against only 52 from Madras, 26 from Bombay and 24 British (Queen's and Company). On average an inch and a half taller and a stone heavier than the southern Indian troops, the Bengal sepoy was highly regarded by a military establishment that tended to evaluate its soldiers by physical appearance.&lt;ref&gt;{{cite book|first=Philip|last=Mason|pages=194–195|title=A Matter of Honour – An Account of the Indian Army, its Officers and Men|year=1986|publisher=Macmillan |isbn=0-333-41837-9}}&lt;/ref&gt;


===Under East India Company===
[[File:Bengal Troops on the Line of March (6125141926).jpg|thumb|250px|Bengal troops in the 19th century (1840s)]]
[[File:Bengal Troops on the Line of March (6125141926).jpg|thumb|250px|Bengal troops in the 19th century (1840s)]]
[[File:Bengal Troops on the Line of March (6124600077).jpg|thumb|250px|Bengal infantry on the line of march]]
[[File:Bengal Troops on the Line of March (6124600077).jpg|thumb|250px|Bengal infantry on the line of march]]


In 1757 the first locally recruited unit of Bengal [[sepoys]] was created in the form of the ''Lal Paltan'' battalion. It was recruited from soldiers that had served in the Nawab's Army from Bihar and the Awadh ([[Oudh]]) who were collectively called [[Purbiya]]s. Drilled and armed along British army lines this force served well at the [[Battle of Plassey]] in 1757 and 20 more Indian battalions were raised by 1764. In 1766 the [[Monghyr Mutiny]], quelled by [[Robert Clive]], affected many of the white officers of the Bengal Army.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Martin |first1=Robert Montgomery |title=Our Indian Empire and the Adjacent Countries of Afghanistan, Beloochistan, Persia, Etc., Depicted and Described by Pen and Pencil |year=1879 |publisher=London Print. and Publishing Company |page=305 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IlABAAAAQAAJ |language=en}}</ref>
A new feature in the Bengal Army was the creation of irregular infantry and cavalry regiments during the 1840s.&lt;ref&gt;Mollo, pp. 51-52&lt;/ref&gt; Originally designated as "Local Infantry" these were permanently established units but with less formal drill and fewer British officers than the regular Bengal line regiments.&lt;ref&gt;{{cite book|first=Michael|last=Creese|pages=26–27|title=Swords Trembling in Their Scabbards. The Changing Status of Indian Officers in the Indian Army 1757–1947|year=2015|publisher=Helion Limited |isbn=9-781909-982819}}&lt;/ref&gt;


The EIC steadily expanded its Bengal Army and by 1796 the establishment was set at three battalions of European artillery, three regiments of European infantry, ten regiments of Indian cavalry and twelve regiments (each of two battalions) of Indian infantry.<ref>Mollo, pp. 13–14</ref>
The main source of recruitment continued to be high caste Brahmins, Bhumihars and Rajputs from Bihar and Oudh,&lt;ref name=":4"&gt;{{Cite book |last=Wagner |first=Kim A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZWlNDwAAQBAJ&amp;dq=kim%20a%20wagner%20rajput%20Bhumihar&amp;pg=PA18 |title=The Skull of Alum Bheg: The Life and Death of a Rebel of 1857 |date=2018 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-087023-2 |pages=18,22 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;ref name=":5"&gt;{{cite book|first=Philip|last=Mason|page=125|title=A Matter of Honour - An Account of the Indian Army, its Officers and Men|year=1986|publisher=Macmillan |isbn=0-333-41837-9}}&lt;/ref&gt; although the eight regular cavalry regiments consisted mainly of Muslim [[sowars]] from the Indian Muslim [[Baradari (brotherhood)|biradaris]] such as the [[Ranghar]], [[Shaikhs of Uttar Pradesh|Sheikhs]], [[sayyid|Sayyids]], [[Mughal people|Mughals]], and [[Pathans of Uttar Pradesh|Hindustani Pathans]].&lt;ref&gt;{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=VaLfAAAAMAAJ&amp;q=ranghar+lalkhani |title= Defence Journal:Volumes 4-5|page=66 |date=2001 }}&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;ref&gt;{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=fWEeEAAAQBAJ&amp;dq=skinner%27s+horse+muslims+delhi&amp;pg=PA125 |title= Unbattled Fears: Reckoning the National Security |year= 2021 |author= Sumit Walia  |page= 125|publisher= Lancer Publishers |isbn= 9788170623311 }}&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;ref&gt;{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=4g8xAQAAMAAJ&amp;q=Three++fourths+of+the+Cavalry+branch+of+the+Bengal+Army+were+recruited+from+the+Muslims+of+various+descriptions+such+as+Hindusthanee+Muhammadans+,+Sheikhs+,+Syuds+,+Moguls+,+Pathans+,+Rangars+(+Rajput+Mussalmans+)+and+Afghans+,+while |title= Calcutta Review 1956 |page= 38 |publisher= University of Calcutta. |date= 1956 }}&lt;/ref&gt;


In 1824 the Bengal Army underwent reorganisation, with the regular infantry being grouped into 68 single battalion regiments numbered according to their date of establishment. Nine additional infantry regiments were subsequently raised, though several existing units were disbanded between 1826 and 1843. On the eve of the [[First Afghan War]] (1839–42) the Bengal Army had achieved a dominant role in the forces of the HEIC. There were 74 battalions of Bengal regular infantry against only 52 from Madras, 26 from Bombay and 24 British (Queen's and Company). On average an inch and a half taller and a stone heavier than the southern Indian troops, the Bengal sepoy was highly regarded by a military establishment that tended to evaluate its soldiers by physical appearance.<ref>{{cite book|first=Philip|last=Mason|pages=194–195|title=A Matter of Honour – An Account of the Indian Army, its Officers and Men|year=1986|isbn=0-333-41837-9}}</ref>
[[File:Skinner's Horse.png|thumb|Skinner's Horse]]


A new feature in the Bengal Army was the creation of irregular infantry and cavalry regiments during the 1840s.<ref>Mollo, pp. 51-52</ref> Originally designated as "Local Infantry" these were permanently established units but with less formal drill and fewer British officers than the regular Bengal line regiments.<ref>{{cite book|first=Michael|last=Creese|pages=26–27|title=Swords Trembling in Their Scabbards. The Changing Status of Indian Officers in the Indian Army 1757–1947|year=2015|isbn=9-781909-982819}}</ref>
Another innovation introduced prior to 1845 was to designate specific regiments as "Volunteers" – that is recruited for general service, with sepoys who had accepted a commitment for possible overseas duty. Recruits for the Bengal Army who were prepared to travel by ship if required, received a special allowance or ''batta''.&lt;ref&gt;{{cite book|first=Kim A.|last=Wagner|page=37|title=The Great Fear of 1857|year=2014|publisher=Dev Publishers &amp; Distributors |isbn=978-93-81406-34-2}}&lt;/ref&gt; Two of these BNI regiments were serving in China in 1857 and so escaped any involvement in the great rebellion of that year.&lt;ref&gt;{{cite book|first=Lt. Gen. Sir George|last=MacMunn|page=100|title=The Armies of India|year=1984|publisher=Crécy |isbn=0-947554-02-5}}&lt;/ref&gt; The East India Company's Bengal Army in 1857 consisted of 151,361 men of all ranks, of whom the great majority - 128,663 - were Indians.&lt;ref name=":1"&gt;{{Cite book|last=Spilsbury|first=Julian|title=The Indian Mutiny|publisher=Orion Publishing Group|year=2007|isbn=9780297856306|location=Jouve, France|pages=9}}&lt;/ref&gt;


The main source of recruitment continued to be high caste Brahmins and Rajputs from Bengal, Bihar and Oudh,<ref>{{cite book|first=Philip|last=Mason|page=125|title=A Matter of Honour - An Account of the Indian Army, its Officers and Men|year=1986|isbn=0-333-41837-9}}</ref> although the eight regular cavalry regiments consisted mainly of Muslim Pathan [[sowars]]. During the 1840s and early 1850s numbers of Nepalese Gurkhas and Jatsikhs from the Punjab were however accepted in the Bengal Army. Both Gurkhas and Jatsikhs served in separate units but some of the latter were incorporated into existing Bengal infantry regiments.
===Indian Rebellion 1857===
A total of 64 Bengal Army regular infantry and cavalry regiments rebelled during the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]], or were disbanded after their continued loyalty was considered doubtful.&lt;ref name=raugh/&gt; From 1858 onwards the [[Chamar|Chamars]] (outcaste)&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |last=Karsten |first=Peter |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fh_fAQAAQBAJ&amp;pg=RA1-PA161 |title=Recruiting, Drafting, and Enlisting: Two Sides of the Raising of Military Forces |date=2013-10-31 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-66150-2 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt; and the actual high-caste Awadhi and Bihari Hindu presence in the Bengal Army was reduced&lt;ref&gt;{{cite book|first=Saul|last=David|page=377 |title=The Indian Mutiny|date=4 September 2003|publisher=Penguin Adult |isbn=0-141-00554-8}}&lt;/ref&gt; because of their perceived primary role as "mutineers" in the 1857 rebellion.&lt;ref name="Boxers"&gt;Bickers and Tiedemann, p. 231&lt;/ref&gt; The new and less homogeneous Bengal Army was essentially drawn from Punjabi Muslims, Sikhs, Gurkhas, Baluchis and Pathans, although twelve of the pre-mutiny Bengal line infantry regiments continued in service with the same basis of recruitment, traditions and uniform colours as before.&lt;ref&gt;W.Y. Carman, pages 107–108, "Indian Army Uniforms" Morgan-Grampian Books 1969&lt;/ref&gt;


Another innovation introduced prior to 1845 was to designate specific regiments as "Volunteers" – that is recruited for general service, with sepoys who had accepted a commitment for possible overseas duty. Recruits for the Bengal Army who were prepared to travel by ship if required, received a special allowance or ''batta''.<ref>{{cite book|first=Kim A.|last=Wagner|page=37|title=The Great Fear of 1857|year=2014|isbn=978-93-81406-34-2}}</ref> Two of these BNI regiments were serving in China in 1857 and so escaped any involvement in the great rebellion of that year.<ref>{{cite book|first=Lt. Gen. Sir George|last=MacMunn|page=100|title=The Armies of India|year=1984|isbn=0-947554-02-5}}</ref>
A largely unspoken rationale was that an army of diverse origins was unlikely to unite in rebellion.&lt;ref&gt;{{cite book|first=Philip|last=Mason|pages=320 &amp; 326 &amp; 359|title=A Matter of Honour|year=1986|publisher=Macmillan |isbn=0-333-41837-9}}&lt;/ref&gt;


The East India Company's Bengal Army in 1857 (Bombay and Madras had their own armies) consisted of 151,361 men of all ranks, of whom the great majority - 128,663 - were Indians.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Spilsbury|first=Julian|title=The Indian Mutiny|publisher=Orion Publishing Group|year=2007|isbn=9780297856306|location=Jouve, France|pages=9}}</ref>
===Demise===
[[File:1stEuropeanBengalFusilierspre1862.jpg|right|thumb|Soldiers of the 1st European Bengal Fusiliers, pre-1862]]
[[File:Sepoy of the Indian Infantry, 1900 (c)..jpg|thumb|Sepoy of the 6th Bengal Light Infantry, {{circa|1890s}}.]]
In 1895 the three separate Presidency Armies began a process of unification which was not to be concluded until the Kitchener reforms of eight years later.&lt;ref&gt;{{cite book|first=John|last=Gaylor|page=2|title=Sons of John Company. The Indian &amp; Pakistan Armies 1903–1991|year=1992|publisher=Spellmount |isbn=0-946771-98-7}}&lt;/ref&gt;
As an initial step the Army of India was divided into four commands, each commanded by a lieutenant-general. These comprised Bengal, Bombay (including Aden), Madras (including Burma) and Punjab (including the North West Frontier).&lt;ref&gt;{{cite web|title=Northern Command|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=rOVaZ1oDN4Y+6g+B7wVzFA==&amp;ParentID=pR6rWvPTFCtsMyihEuBwFg==|access-date=5 July 2013}}&lt;/ref&gt; In 1903 the separately numbered regiments of the Bombay, Madras and Bengal Armies were unified in a single organisational sequence and the presidency affiliations disappeared.&lt;ref&gt;{{cite book|first=John|last=Gaylor|page=3|title=Sons of John Company. The Indian &amp; Pakistan Armies 1903–1991|year=1992|publisher=Spellmount |isbn=0-946771-98-7}}&lt;/ref&gt;


===1857===
The Bengal infantry units in existence at the end of the Presidency era continued as the senior regiments ([[1st Brahmans]] to 48th Pioneers) of the newly unified Indian Army.&lt;ref&gt;Carmen, pp. 225-226&lt;/ref&gt;
A total of 64 Bengal Army regular infantry and cavalry regiments rebelled during the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]], or were disbanded after their continued loyalty was considered doubtful.<ref name=raugh/> From 1858 onwards the actual high-caste Awadhi, Bengali and Bihari Hindu presence in the Bengal Army was reduced<ref>{{cite book|first=Saul|last=David|page=377 |title=The Indian Mutiny|date=4 September 2003|isbn=0-141-00554-8}}</ref> because of their perceived primary role as "mutineers" in the 1857 rebellion.<ref name="Boxers">Bickers and Tiedemann, p. 231</ref> The new and less homogeneous Bengal Army was essentially drawn from Punjabi Muslims, Sikhs, Gurkhas, Baluchis and Pathans, although twelve of the pre-mutiny Bengal line infantry regiments continued in service with the same basis of recruitment, traditions and uniform colours as before.<ref>W.Y. Carman, pages 107–108, "Indian Army Uniforms" Morgan-Grampian Books 1969</ref>


A largely unspoken rationale was that an army of diverse origins was unlikely to unite in rebellion.<ref>{{cite book|first=Philip|last=Mason|pages=320 & 326 & 359|title=A Matter of Honour|year=1986|isbn=0-333-41837-9}}</ref>
==Ethnic composition==
The Bengal Army of the East India Company was mainly recruited from high castes living in Bihar and the Awadh.&lt;ref&gt;{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MMFdosx0PokC&amp;pg=PA308 |title=Rethinking India's Oral and Classical Epics: Draupadi among Rajputs, Muslims and Dalits|first=Alf|last= Hiltebeitel|page=308|publisher=University of Chicago Press|year=1999|isbn=978-0226340500}}&lt;/ref&gt;


===Post 1857===
Prior to 1857, company military service was most popular in the zamindaris of North and South Bihar with the East India Company signing contracts to raise levies of troops from them.&lt;ref name="Alavi1995"&gt;{{cite book |last1=Alavi |first1=Seema |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_qDeAAAAMAAJ&amp;q=The+Sepoys+and+the+Company%C2%A0 |title=The Sepoys and the Company: Tradition and Transition in Northern India, 1770-1830 |date=1995 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780195634846 |pages=51–55}}&lt;/ref&gt; Recruits from the [[Rajput]] and [[Brahmin|Brahman]] caste&lt;ref name=":4" /&gt;&lt;ref name=":5" /&gt;&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |last=Bayly |first=Susan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HbAjKR_iHogC&amp;pg=PA203 |title=Caste, Society and Politics in India from the Eighteenth Century to the Modern Age |date=2001-02-22 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-79842-6 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |last=Roy |first=Kaushik |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jpXijlqeRpIC&amp;pg=PA98 |title=India's Historic Battles: From Alexander the Great to Kargil |date=2004 |publisher=Orient Blackswan |isbn=978-81-7824-109-8 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt; were common and they would use service in the Bengal Army as an opportunity to raise their wealth and status and for this reason, the Bhumihar zamindaris of Bihar became "prime recruiting grounds" for the Army.&lt;ref name= Alavi1995 /&gt;
===End of the separate Bengal Army===
In 1895 the three separate Presidency Armies began a process of unification which was not to be concluded until the Kitchener reforms of eight years later.<ref>{{cite book|first=John|last=Gaylor|page=2|title=Sons of John Company. The Indian & Pakistan Armies 1903–1991|year=1992|isbn=0-946771-98-7}}</ref>
As an initial step the Army of India was divided into four commands, each commanded by a lieutenant-general. These comprised Bengal, Bombay (including Aden), Madras (including Burma) and Punjab (including the North West Frontier).<ref>{{cite web|title=Northern Command|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=rOVaZ1oDN4Y+6g+B7wVzFA==&ParentID=pR6rWvPTFCtsMyihEuBwFg==|access-date=5 July 2013}}</ref> In 1903 the separately numbered regiments of the Bombay, Madras and Bengal Armies were unified in a single organisational sequence and the presidency affiliations disappeared.<ref>{{cite book|first=John|last=Gaylor|page=3|title=Sons of John Company. The Indian & Pakistan Armies 1903–1991|year=1992|isbn=0-946771-98-7}}</ref>


The Bengal infantry units in existence at the end of the Presidency era continued as the senior regiments ([[1st Brahmans]] to 48th Pioneers) of the newly unified Indian Army.<ref>Carmen, pp. 225-226</ref>
In the 1780s, the Company maintained a major recruiting station in [[Buxar]] with six companies under a Captain Eaton. These recruiting stations in Bihar were kept as "nurseries" which supplied battalions when drafts were made. Other recruiting centres were located in [[Bhagalpur]], [[Shahabad district|Shahabad]], [[Munger district|Monghyr]], [[Saran district|Saran]] and [[Hajipur]].&lt;ref name="Alavi1995" /&gt;


[[Image:Bengalpresidency 1858.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The '''Bengal Presidency''' at its greatest extent in 1858]]
Brigadier Troup, who served as the commander of [[Bareilly]], stated of recruitment that the ‘Bengal native Infantry came chiefly from the province of Awadh, Buxar, Bhojpur and Arrah.’&lt;ref name= Alavi1995 /&gt;
[[File:1stEuropeanBengalFusilierspre1862.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Soldiers of the 1st European Bengal Fusiliers, pre-1862]]
In 1810, [[Francis Buchanan-Hamilton]] noted in his account of the districts of Bihar, that the number of men absent from [[Shahabad district|Shahabad]] to serve in the Army was 4680. The [[Ujjainiya]] zamindar of Bhojpur also informed him that 12000 recruits from his district had joined the Bengal Army.&lt;ref name= Alavi1995 /&gt;
[[File:Sepoy of the Indian Infantry, 1900 (c)..jpg|thumb|Sepoy of the 6th Bengal Light Infantry, circa 1890s.]]


==Ethnic composition==
Writing in The Indian Army (1834), [[John Malcolm|Sir John Malcolm]], who had a lifetime's experience of Indian soldiering, wrote:  ''"They consist largely of Rajpoots ([[Rajput]]), who are a distinguished race. We may judge the size of these men when we are told that the height below which no recruit is taken is five feet six inches. The great proportion of the Grenadiers are six feet and upwards."''&lt;ref name=":1" /&gt;
The Bengal Army of the East India Company was mainly recruited from high castes living in Bengal, Bihar and the Awadh.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MMFdosx0PokC&pg=PA308 |title=Rethinking India's Oral and Classical Epics: Draupadi among Rajputs, Muslims and Dalits|first=Alf|last= Hiltebeitel|page=308|publisher=University of Chicago Press|year=1999|isbn=978-0226340500}}</ref>


Writing in The Indian Army (1834), [[John Malcolm|Sir John Malcolm]], who had a lifetime's experience of Indian soldiering, wrote:  ''"They consist largely of Rajpoots ([[Rajput]]), who are a distinguished race. We may judge of the size of these men when we are told that the height below which no recruit is taken is five feet six inches. The great proportion of the Grenadiers are six feet and upwards."''<ref name=":1" />
Both prior to and following 1857, the Bengal Army included what were to become some of the most famous units in India: [[1st Duke of York's Own Skinner's Horse|Skinner's Horse]], the [[Gurkhas]] from the [[Himalayas]] and the [[Corps of Guides (British India)|Corps of Guides]] on the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.&lt;ref&gt;'Lumsden of the Guides' (London, 1899) by P. Lumsden and G. Elsmie; p. 28.&lt;/ref&gt;


Both prior to and following 1857, the Bengal Army included what were to become some of the most famous units in India: [[1st Duke of York's Own Skinner's Horse|Skinner's Horse]] from Bengal, the [[Gurkhas]] from the [[Himalayas]] and the [[Corps of Guides (British India)|Corps of Guides]] on the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
=== Composition in 1856 ===


==Structure==
===Cavalry===
===Cavalry===


====Regular regiments====
====Bengal Regular Cavalry====
*[[Governor General's Bodyguard]]
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2hkoAAAAYAAJ |title=East-India Register and Army List |date=1856 |publisher=W.H. Allen. |pages=90–99 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
*1st to 10th Bengal Light Cavalry Regiments (see [[3rd Bengal Light Cavalry|3rd]] and [[5th Bengal Light Cavalry|5th]] Regiments). Eight of these regular regiments mutinied and two were disbanded during 1857–58. None were carried over into the post-Mutiny army.<ref>Mollo, p. 93</ref>
*1st Regiment of Light Cavalry
*1st to [[4th Bengal European Cavalry|4th Bengal European Light Cavalry]] Regiments. Recruited hastily in Britain in November 1857 to replace the eight regiments of Bengal Light Cavalry which had mutinied. The mention of "European" in the name indicated that it consisted of white soldiers rather than Indian [[sowar]]s. In 1861, all four European regiments were transferred to the British Army as the 19th, 20th and 21st Hussars.<ref>Mollo, pp. 91–92</ref>
*2nd Regiment of Light Cavalry
*3rd Regiment of Light Cavalry
*4th Regiment of Light Cavalry (Lancers)
*5th Regiment of Light Cavalry
*6th Regiment of Light Cavalry
*7th Regiment of Light Cavalry
*8th Regiment of Light Cavalry
*9th Regiment of Light Cavalry
*10th Regiment of Light Cavalry


====Irregular units====
====Bengal Irregular Cavalry====
*1st Irregular Cavalry ([[Skinner's Horse]])
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2hkoAAAAYAAJ |title=East-India Register and Army List |date=1856 |publisher=W.H. Allen. |pages=181–184 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
*2nd to 18th Irregular Cavalry Regiments
[[File:Skinner's Horse at Exercise, 1840 (c).jpg|thumb|Skinner's Horse at Exercis]]
*Bundelkhand Legion Cavalry
[[File:Colonel James Skinner holding a Regimental Durbar, 1827.jpg|Skinner's Horse Regimental Durbar|thumb]]
*Gwalior Contingent Cavalry
[[File:'7th Irregular Cavalry', 1841 (c).jpg|thumb|'7th Irregular Cavalry', 1841 (c)]]
*Kotah Contingent Cavalry
*[[1st Horse (Skinner's Horse)|1st Irregular Cavalry]]
*Bhopal Contingent Cavalry
*[[2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)|2nd Irregular Cavalry]]
*United Malwa Contingent Cavalry
*3rd Irregular Cavalry
*Ramgarh Irregular Cavalry
*[[3rd Skinner's Horse|4th Irregular Cavalry]]
*Nagpore Irregular Cavalry
*5th Irregular Cavalry
*1st to 3rd Oudh Irregular Cavalry Regiments
*[[4th Cavalry (India)|6th Irregular Cavalry]]
*1st, 2nd and 3rd Regiments of Hodson's Horse
*[[5th Cavalry (India)|7th Irregular Cavalry]]
*1st to 4th Sikh Irregular Cavalry Regiments
*[[6th King Edward's Own Cavalry|8th Irregular Cavalry]]
*The Jat Horse Yeomanry
*9th Irregular Cavalry
*Rohilkhand Horse
*10th Irregular Cavalry
*The Muttra Horse
*11th Irregular Cavalry
*Alexander's Horse
*12th Irregular Cavalry
*Barrow's Volunteers
*13th Irregular Cavalry
*Behar Irregular Cavalry
*14th Irregular Cavalry
*Belooch Horse
*15th Irregular Cavalry
*Benares Horse
*16th Irregular Cavalry
*Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry
*[[7th Hariana Lancers|17th Irregular Cavalry]]
*Calcutta Volunteer Guards
*[[8th Lancers|18th Irregular Cavalry]]
*De Kantzow's Irregular Cavalry
*Graham's Horse
*2nd Gwalior Cavalry
*2nd Gwalior Mahratta Horse
*H.H. The Guicowar's Horse
*Jackson's Volunteer Horse
*Jellandhar Cavalry
*Lahore Light Horse
*1st Mahratta Horse
*Meerut Light Horse
*Peshawar Light Horse
*Rajghazi Volunteer Cavalry
*The Volunteer Cavalry
*Lind's and Cureton's Risalahs of Pathan Horse
*2nd Mahratta Horse
*Fane's Horse
*The [[Corps of Guides (India)|Corps of Guides]], Punjab Irregular Force
*1st to 5th Regiments of Cavalry of the Punjab Irregular Force


===Artillery===
===Artillery===
The Bengal Artillery was divided into three 'sections', the Bengal Horse Artillery (affiliated with the [[Royal Horse Artillery]]), Bengal European Foot Artillery (European/white members), and the Bengal Native Foot Artillery (native Indians).  Below is the list of those that were formed/active before their disbandment/absorption into the [[Royal Artillery]] and [[Royal Horse Artillery|RHA]].  Units below will have their formation designation and then designation after joining the [[British Army]].<ref name=":0">Frederick, pp. 453–6.</ref>
====Bengal Horse Artillery====
====Bengal Horse Artillery====
These were:&lt;ref name=":0"&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2hkoAAAAYAAJ |title=East-India Register and Army List |date=1856 |publisher=W.H. Allen. |pages=76 (Bengal Establishment) |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;


* '''Bengal Horse Artillery''':<ref>Frederick, pp. 428–30.</ref>
* 1st Brigade
** 1st Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery (formed in 1824)
** 3 European Troops
*** 1st Troop (formed 1800, transferred to [[Royal Horse Artillery]] 1864), formed as Experimental Brigade, HA then The Troop, then 1st Troop, BenHA
** 2 Native Troops
*** 2nd Troop (formed 1824, transferred to [[Royal Horse Artillery]] 1864)
* 2nd Brigade
*** 3rd Troop (formed 1824, transferred to [[Royal Horse Artillery]] 1864)
** 3 European Troops
*** (1st) 4th (Native) Troop (formed in 1817, left to 3rd Bde 1827)
** Native Troop
*** (2nd) 4th (Native) Troop (formed 1827, mutinied in [[Neemuch]], then reformed as European troop, disbanded in 1862)
* 3rd Brigade
*** [[T Battery (Shah Sujah's Troop) Royal Artillery|5th (Shah Soojah's) Troop]] (Native, formed 1838, then reformed as European troop, transferred to [[Royal Horse Artillery]] 1864)
** 3 European Troops
** 2nd Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery (formed in 1825)
** Native Troop
*** 1st Troop (formed 1809, transferred to [[Royal Horse Artillery]] 1864), formed as 2nd Trp, BenHA
*** [[The Rocket Troop, Bengal Horse Artillery|2nd (Rocket) Troop]] (formed 1816, transferred to [[Royal Horse Artillery]] 1864), formed as [[The Rocket Troop, Bengal Horse Artillery|The Rocket Troop, BenHA]]
*** 3rd Troop (formed 1825, transferred to [[Royal Horse Artillery]] 1864)
*** (1st) 4th (Native) Troop (formed 1817, joined 1st Bde 1827), formed as 5th (Native) Trp, BenHA
*** (2nd) 4th (Native) Troop (formed 1827, joined 3rd Bde 1829)
*** (3rd) 4th (Native) Troop (formed 1829, reformed as European trp 1859, transferred to [[Royal Horse Artillery]] 1864)
** 3rd Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery (formed in 1825)
*** 1st Troop (formed in 1809, transferred to [[Royal Horse Artillery]] 1864), formed as 3rd Trp, BenHA
*** 2nd Troop (formed 1825, transferred to [[Royal Horse Artillery]] 1864)
*** 3rd Troop (formed 1825, transferred to [[Royal Horse Artillery]] 1864)
*** (1st) 4th (Native) Troop (formed 1817, joined 2nd Bde 1829), formed as 6th Trop, BenHA
*** (2nd) 4th (Native) Troop (formed 1827, to 2nd Bde 1829)
*** (3rd) 4th (Native) Troop (formed 1829, mutinied in [[Multan]], reformed 1859 as European troop, transferred to [[Royal Horse Artillery]] 1864)


====Bengal European Foot Artillery====
==== Bengal European Foot Artillery (4 companies per battalion) ====
* [[9 (Plassey) Battery Royal Artillery|1st Company Bengal Artillery]] (raised in 1749, currently [[9 (Plassey) Battery Royal Artillery]])
These were:&lt;ref name=":0" /&gt;
* 1st Battalion
* 2nd Battalion
* 3rd Battalion
* 4th Battalion
* 5th Battalion
* 6th Battalion


====Bengal Native Foot Artillery====
==== Bengal Native Foot Artillery (6 companies per battalion) ====
These were:&lt;ref name=":0" /&gt;


* '''Bengal Native Foot Artillery''': (units listed in after precedence #)<ref name=":0" />
*1st Battalion
** 1st Bengal Artillery Battalion
* 2nd Battalion
*** 7th Company (raised in 1780, late 1st Battery, 16th Brigade Royal Artillery)
* 3rd Battalion
*** 3rd Company (raised 1780, late 2nd Bty, 16th Bde RA)
***9th Company (raised 1780, late 3rd Bty, 16th Bde RA)
***Fort William Company (raised 1780, late 4th Bty, 16th Bde RA)
***Calcutta Garrison Company (raised 1770, late 1st Company, 6th Battalion)
***6th Company (raised 1802, late 3rd Co, 3rd Btn)
***7th Company (raised 1802, late 4th Co, 3rd Btn)
***8th Company (raised 1817, late 3rd Co, 1st Btn)
**2nd Bengal Artillery Battalion
***8th Company (raised 1778, late 1st Bty, 19th Bde RA)
***4th Company (raised 1763, late 2nd Bty, 19th Bde RA)
***6th Company (raised 1778, late 3rd Bty, 19th Bde RA)
***2nd Company (raised 1780, late 4th Bty, 19th Bde RA)
***10th Company (raised 1780, late 2nd Co, 6th Btn)
***6th Company (raised 1802, late 3rd Co, 2nd Btn)
***7th Company (raised 1802, late 4th Co, 2nd Btn)
***8th Company (raised 1818, late 3rd Co, 5th Btn)
**3rd Bengal Artillery Battalion
***1st Company (raised 1786, late 1st Bty, 22nd Bde RA)
***2nd Company (raised 1786, late 2nd Bty, 22nd Bde RA)
***3rd Company (raised 1786, late 3rd Bty, 22nd Bde RA)
***4th Company (raised 1786, late 4th Bty, 22nd Bde RA)
***5th Company (raised 1786, late 3rd Co, 6th Btn)
***6th Company (raised 1802, late 2nd Co, 5th Btn)
***7th Company (raised 1802, disbanded 1824)
***8th Company (raised 1818, late 4th Co, 5th Btn)
**4th Bengal Artillery Battalion
***1st Company (raised 1824, late 1st Bty, 24th Bde RA)
***2nd Company (raised 1824, late 2nd Bty, 2nd Bde RA)
***3rd Company (raised 1824, late 3rd Bty, 24th Bde RA)
***4th Company (raised 1824, late 4th Bty, 24th Bde RA)
***5th Company (raised 1842, late 4th Bty, 6th Btn)
**5th Bengal Artillery Battalion
***1st Company (raised 1824, late 1st Bty, 25th Bde RA)
***2nd Company (raised 1824, late 2nd Bty, 25th Bde RA)
***3rd Company (raised 1824, late 3rd Bty, 25th Bde RA)
***4th Company (raised 1824, late 4th Bty, 25th Bde RA)
***5th Company (Raised 1842, disbanded 1845)
**6th Bengal Artillery Battalion
***1st Company (raised 1845, late 5th Bty, 16th Bde RA)
***2nd Company (raised 1845, late 5th Bty, 19th Bde RA)
***3rd Company (raised 1845, late 5th Bty, 22nd Bde RA)
***4th Company (raised 1845, late 5th Bty, 24th Bde RA)


====Punjab Horse Artillery, Punjab Irregular Force====
===Engineers===
===Engineers===
*The Corps of [[Bengal Sappers and Miners]]
 
*The Sebundy Sappers and Miners
==== Corps of Engineers ====
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2hkoAAAAYAAJ |title=East-India Register and Army List |date=1856 |publisher=W.H. Allen. |pages=85 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
==== Corps of [[Bengal Sappers and Miners]] ====
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2hkoAAAAYAAJ |title=East-India Register and Army List |date=1856 |publisher=W.H. Allen. |pages=89 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;


===Infantry===
===Infantry===
====Regular regiments====
 
[[File:Bengal-native-army.jpg|thumb|200px|Bengal Native Infantry 1846]]
==== Bengal European Infantry ====
[[File:Hindu priest garlanding the flags of the 35th Bengal Light Infantry (c.1847) - BL Add.Or.741.jpg|thumb|260px|[[Hindu priest]] garlanding the flags of the Bengal Light Infantry at a presentation of colours ceremony, c. 1847]]
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2hkoAAAAYAAJ |title=East-India Register and Army List |date=1856 |publisher=W.H. Allen. |pages=100–104 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
*[[101st Regiment of Foot (Royal Bengal Fusiliers)|1st Bengal (European) Fusiliers]]
*[[101st Regiment of Foot (Royal Bengal Fusiliers)|1st Bengal (European) Fusiliers]]
*[[104th Regiment of Foot (Bengal Fusiliers)|2nd Bengal (European) Fusiliers]]
*[[104th Regiment of Foot (Bengal Fusiliers)|2nd Bengal (European) Fusiliers]]
*[[107th (Bengal Infantry) Regiment of Foot|3rd Bengal (European) Light Infantry]]
*[[107th (Bengal Infantry) Regiment of Foot|3rd Bengal (European) Regiment]]
*[[4th Bengal European Regiment|4th]], [[5th Bengal European Regiment|5th]] and [[6th Bengal European Regiment]]s
 
*1st to 74th Regiments of [[Bengal Native Infantry]] (including [[Gurkha|Goorkha]] 66th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry). Of these regular regiments only twelve (the 21st, 31st, 32nd 33rd, 42nd, 43rd, 47th 59th, 63rd, 65th, 66th and 70th BNI) escaped mutiny or disbandment to survive into the post-Mutiny army.<ref name="Carmen, p. 107">Carmen, p. 107</ref> As such they retained a number of features and traditions of the "old" Bengal Army, such as the wearing of [[Red coat (British Army and Royal Marines)|red coats]]. The remainder of the regiments making up the "new" Bengal Army were derived from a mixture of irregular units already in existence before the Mutiny, plus Punjabis, Sikhs and Gurkhas. Local corps, levies and even police battalions raised for the suppression of the Mutiny were in some cases transformed into new regular infantry regiments, which brought the total number up to 49.<ref name="Carmen, p. 107"/>
====Bengal Native Infantry====
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2hkoAAAAYAAJ |title=East-India Register and Army List |date=1856 |publisher=W.H. Allen. |pages=106–179 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
[[File:Bengal-native-army.jpg|thumb|upright|Bengal Native Infantry 1846]]
[[File:Hindu priest garlanding the flags of the 35th Bengal Light Infantry (c.1847) - BL Add.Or.741 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Purohita|Hindu priests]] garlanding the colours of the 35th Bengal Light Infantry at a [[Presentation of Colours]] ceremony, {{circa|1847}}]]
[[File:Sir John Bennet Hearsey.jpg|thumb|Lieutenant-General Sir [[John Bennet Hearsey]], 2nd (Bengal) Irregular Cavalry (Gardner's Horse). Painted circa 1839.]]
*1st Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*2nd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Grenadiers)
*3rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*4th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*5th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*6th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*7th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*8th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*9th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*10th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*11th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*12th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*13th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*14th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*15th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*16th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Grenadiers)
*17th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*18th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*19th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*20th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*[[1st Brahmans|21st Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry]]
*22nd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*23rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*24th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*25th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*26th Regiment of Bengal Light Infantry
*27th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*28th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*29th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*30th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*[[2nd Queen Victoria's Own Rajput Light Infantry|31st Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry]]
*[[3rd Brahmans|32nd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry]]
*[[4th Prince Albert Victor's Rajputs|33rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry]]
*34th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*35th Regiment of Bengal Light Infantry
*36th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Volunteers)
*37th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Volunteers)
*38th Regiment of Bengal Light Infantry (Volunteers)
*39th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Volunteers)
*40th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Volunteers)
*41st Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*[[5th Light Infantry|42nd Regiment of Bengal Light Infantry]]
*[[6th Jat Light Infantry|43rd Regiment of Bengal Light Infantry]]
*44th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*45th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*46th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*[[7th (Duke of Connaught's Own) Rajputs|47th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Volunteers)]]
*48th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*49th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*50th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*51st Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*52nd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*53rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*54th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*55th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*56th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*57th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*58th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*[[8th Rajputs|59th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry]]
*60th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*61st Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*62nd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*[[9th Gorkha Rifles|63rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry]]
*64th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*[[10th Jats|65th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Volunteers)]]
*[[1st Gorkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment)|66th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Goorkha Regiment)]]
*67th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Volunteers)
*68th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*69th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*[[11th Rajputs|70th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry]]
*71st Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*72nd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*73rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
*74th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
 
===== Bengal Local Infantry =====
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2hkoAAAAYAAJ |title=East-India Register and Army List |date=1856 |publisher=W.H. Allen. |pages=189–191 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
* [[18th Infantry (British Indian Army)|Calcutta Native Militia]]
* Ramghur Light Infantry Battalion
* Hill Rangers
* New Nusseree (Rifle) Battalion
* Pegu Light Infantry Battalion
* [[2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)|Sirmoor Rifle Battalion]]
* [[3rd Gorkha Rifles|Kemaoon Battalion]]
* [[6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles|1st Assam Light Infantry]]
* [[7th Duke of Edinburgh's Own Gurkha Rifles|2nd Assam Light Infantry]]
* [[44th Merwara Infantry|Mhairwarrah Battalion]]
* Arracan Battalion
* Hurrianah Light Infantry Battalion
* 1st Regiment of Oude Infantry
* 2nd Regiment of Oude Infantry
* Sylhet Light Infantry Battalion
 
===== Other Infantry Units =====
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2hkoAAAAYAAJ |title=East-India Register and Army List |date=1856 |publisher=W.H. Allen. |pages=180 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
* [[12th Pioneers|Regiment of Kelat-i-Ghilzie]]
* Sikh battalions
** [[15th Ludhiana Sikhs|Regiment of Loodianah]]
** [[14th King George's Own Ferozepore Sikhs|Regiment of Ferozepore]]
 
=== [[Punjab Irregular Force]] ===
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2hkoAAAAYAAJ |title=East-India Register and Army List |date=1856 |publisher=W.H. Allen. |pages=185–187 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
==== Punjab Cavalry ====
* [[11th Cavalry (Frontier Force)|1st Regiment of Punjab Cavalry]]
*[[11th Cavalry (Frontier Force)|2nd Regiment of Punjab Cavalry]]
*[[12th Cavalry (Frontier Force)|3rd Regiment of Punjab Cavalry]]
*4th Regiment of Punjab Cavalry
*[[12th Cavalry (Frontier Force)|5th Regiment of Punjab Cavalry]]
 
==== Punjab Infantry ====
*[[55th Coke's Rifles (Frontier Force)|1st Regiment of Punjab Infantry, Punjab Frontier Force]]
*[[56th Punjabi Rifles (Frontier Force)|2nd Regiment of Punjab Infantry, Punjab Frontier Force]]
*3rd Regiment of Punjab Infantry, [[Punjab Irregular Force|Punjab Frontier Force]]
*[[57th Wilde's Rifles|4th Regiment of Punjab Infantry, Punjab Frontier Force]]
*[[58th Vaughan's Rifles (Frontier Force)|5th Regiment of Punjab Infantry, Punjab Frontier Force]]
*[[59th Scinde Rifles (Frontier Force)|Scinde Rifle Corps]]
 
==== Sikh Corps ====
*[[51st Sikhs (Frontier Force)|1st Regiment of Sikh Infantry]]
*[[52nd Sikhs (Frontier Force)|2nd Regiment of Sikh Infantry]]
*[[53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force)|3rd Regiment of Sikh Infantry]]
*[[54th Sikhs (Frontier Force)|4th Regiment of Sikh Infantry]]
*[[Corps of Guides (India)|Corps of Guides]]
 
=== Other Units ===
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2hkoAAAAYAAJ |title=East-India Register and Army List |date=1856 |publisher=W.H. Allen. |pages=192–196 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
* Nagpore Irregular Force&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2hkoAAAAYAAJ |title=East-India Register and Army List |date=1856 |publisher=W.H. Allen. |pages=188 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
** Cavalry Regiment
** Artillery
** 1st Infantry
** 2nd Infantry
** 3rd Infantry
* Malwa Bheel Corps
* Meywar Bheel Corps
* Sebundy Corps of Sappers and Miners
* The Shekhawatee Brigade (Cavalry, Artillery, [[13th Rajputs (The Shekhawati Regiment)|Infantry]])
* The Joudpore Legion (Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry)
* Gwalior Contingent&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2hkoAAAAYAAJ |title=East-India Register and Army List |date=1856 |publisher=W.H. Allen. |pages=193–194 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
** 1st Cavalry
** 2nd Cavalry
** Artillery
** 1st Infantry
** 2nd Infantry
** 3rd Infantry
** 4th Infantry
** 5th Infantry
** 6th Infantry
** 7th Infantry
* Malwa Contingent (Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry)
* Bhopal Contingent (Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry)
* Hyderabad Contingent&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2hkoAAAAYAAJ |title=East-India Register and Army List |date=1856 |publisher=W.H. Allen. |pages=195–196 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
** 1st Cavalry
** 2nd Cavalry
** 3rd Cavalry
** 4th Cavalry
** Artillery
** [[94th Russell's Infantry|1st Infantry]]
** [[95th Russell's Infantry|2nd Infantry]]
** [[96th Berar Infantry|3rd Infantry]]
** [[97th Deccan Infantry|4th Infantry]]
** [[98th Infantry|5th Infantry]]
** [[99th Deccan Infantry|6th Infantry]]
* Kotah Contingent (Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry)
 
==Units raised during 1857 Rebellion==
===Cavalry===
 
====Bengal European Cavalry====
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ygMLAQAAIAAJ&amp;pg=PP13 |title=The India Office List |date=1859 |publisher=H.M. Stationery Office |pages=90-99 (Bengal Establishment) |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
*1st European Light Cavalry
*2nd European Light Cavalry
*3rd European Light Cavalry
*4th European Light Cavalry
*5th European Light Cavalry
 
====Sikh Irregular Cavalry====
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ygMLAQAAIAAJ&amp;pg=PP13 |title=The India Office List |date=1859 |publisher=H.M. Stationery Office |pages=184* |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
*1st Sikh Irregular Cavalry
*2nd Sikh Irregular Cavalry
*3rd Sikh Irregular Cavalry
*4th Sikh Irregular Cavalry
 
===Infantry===
 
==== Bengal European Infantry ====
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ygMLAQAAIAAJ&amp;pg=PP13 |title=The India Office List |date=1859 |publisher=H.M. Stationery Office |pages=106–111 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
*4th European Infantry
*5th European Infantry
*6th European Infantry
 
==== Bengal Local Infantry ====
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ygMLAQAAIAAJ&amp;pg=PP13 |title=The India Office List |date=1859 |publisher=H.M. Stationery Office |pages=189 (Bengal Establishment) |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
* Calcutta Volunteer Guards (Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry)
 
==== Other Infantry Units ====
 
* Irregular Regiment, Ferozepore&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ygMLAQAAIAAJ&amp;pg=PP13 |title=The India Office List |date=1859 |publisher=H.M. Stationery Office |pages=180 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
=== [[Punjab Irregular Force]] ===
 
==== Punjab Infantry ====
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ygMLAQAAIAAJ&amp;pg=PP13 |title=The India Office List |date=1859 |publisher=H.M. Stationery Office |pages=187a, 187b, 187c (Bengal Establishment) |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
*[[19th Punjabis|7th Regiment of Punjab Infantry]]
*8th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
*9th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
*10th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
*11th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
*12th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
*13th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
*14th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
*15th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
*16th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
*17th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
*18th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
*19th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
*20th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
*21st Regiment of Punjab Infantry
*22nd Regiment of Punjab Infantry
*23rd Regiment of Punjab Infantry
*24th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
*25th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
 
==== Sikh Corps ====
*Sikh Volunteers&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ygMLAQAAIAAJ&amp;pg=PP13 |title=The India Office List |date=1859 |publisher=H.M. Stationery Office |pages=185 (Bengal Establishment) |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
=== Other Units ===
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ygMLAQAAIAAJ&amp;pg=PP13 |title=The India Office List |date=1859 |publisher=H.M. Stationery Office |pages=187d, 187e, 187f (Bengal Establishment) |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
* Muneepoor Regiment
* Kamroop Regiment
* Mhair Regiment
* Peshawur Light Horse
* Lahore Light Horse
* Camel Corps
* Beatson's Horse
** 1st Regiment
** 2nd Regiment
* Rohilcund Horse
* Goorkha Force
* Extra Goorkha Regiment
* Irregular Horse
* Mahratta Horse
** 1st Regiment
** 2nd Regiment
* Hodson's Horse
** 1st Regiment
** 2nd Regiment
** 3rd Regiment
* Mynpoorie Irregular Horse
 
== Composition in 1864 ==
 
=== Cavalry ===
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite web |title=The India office list 1864:2. |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b582714&amp;seq=182&amp;view=2up |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=HathiTrust |pages=134–139 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
* 1st Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
* 2nd Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
* 3rd Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
* 4th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
* 5th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
* 6th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
* 7th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
* 8th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
* 9th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
* 10th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
* 11th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
* 12th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
* 13th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
* 14th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
* 15th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
* 16th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
* 17th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
* 18th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
* 19th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
* Lahore Light Horse
* 1st Regiment of Central India Horse
* 2nd Regiment of Central India Horse
 
=== Artillery ===
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite web |title=The India office list 1864:2. |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b582714&amp;seq=164&amp;view=2up |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=HathiTrust |page=121 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
==== Royal Horse Artillery ====
 
* C Brigade
* F Brigade
 
==== Royal Artillery ====
 
* 16th Brigade
* 19th Brigade
* 22nd Brigade
* 24th Brigade
* 25th Brigade
 
=== Engineers ===
 
* Royal Engineers&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite web |title=The India office list 1864:2. |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b582714&amp;seq=164&amp;view=2up |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=HathiTrust |page=130 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
* Corps of Sappers and Miners&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite web |title=The India office list 1864:2. |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b582714&amp;seq=164&amp;view=2up |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=HathiTrust |page=133 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
=== Infantry ===
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite web |title=The India office list 1864:2. |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b582714&amp;seq=184&amp;view=2up |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=HathiTrust |pages=140–152 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
* 1st Native Infantry
* 2nd Native Infantry
* 3rd Native Infantry
* 4th Native Infantry (Volunteer Corps)
* 5th Native Infantry
* 6th Native (Light) Infantry
* 7th Native Infantry
* 8th Native Infantry
* 9th Native Infantry
* 10th Native Infantry
* 11th Native Infantry
* 12th Native Infantry
* 13th Native Infantry
* 14th Native Infantry
* 15th Native Infantry
* 16th Native Infantry
* 17th Native Infantry
* 18th Native Infantry
* 19th Native Infantry
* 20th Native Infantry
* 21st Native Infantry
* 22nd Native Infantry
* 23rd Native Infantry
* 24th Native Infantry
* 25th Native Infantry
* 26th Native Infantry
* 27th Native Infantry
* 28th Native Infantry
* 29th Native Infantry
* 30th Native Infantry
* 31st Native Infantry
* 32nd Native Infantry
* 33rd Native Infantry
* 34th Native Infantry
* 35th Native Infantry
* 36th Native Infantry
* 37th Native Infantry
* 38th Native Infantry
* 39th Native Infantry
* 40th Native Infantry
* 41st Native Infantry
* 42nd Native Infantry
* 43rd Native Infantry
* 44th Native Infantry
* 45th Native Infantry
* 1st Goorkha Regiment
* 2nd Goorkha Regiment
* 3rd Goorkha Regiment
* 4th Goorkha Regiment
* 5th Goorkha Regiment
 
=== Punjab Irregular Force ===
 
==== Sikh Infantry ====
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite web |title=The India office list 1864:2. |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b582714&amp;seq=184&amp;view=2up |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=HathiTrust |pages=153–154 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
* 1st Regiment
* 2nd Regiment
* 3rd Regiment
* 4th Regiment
 
==== Punjab Cavalry ====
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite web |title=The India office list 1864:2. |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b582714&amp;seq=184&amp;view=2up |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=HathiTrust |pages=154–155 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
* 1st Regiment
* 2nd Regiment
* 3rd Regiment
* 4th Regiment
* 5th Regiment
 
==== Punjab Infantry ====
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite web |title=The India office list 1864:2. |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b582714&amp;seq=198&amp;view=2up |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=HathiTrust |pages=155–156 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
 
* 1st Punjab Infantry
* 2nd Punjab Infantry
* 3rd Punjab Infantry
* 4th Punjab Infantry
* 5th Punjab Infantry
* 6th Punjab Infantry
 
==== Corps of Guides ====


====Irregular units====
=== Other units ===
*[[18th Infantry (British Indian Army)|Alipore Regiment]]
These were:&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite web |title=The India office list 1864:2. |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b582714&amp;seq=294&amp;view=2up |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=HathiTrust |pages=157–161 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
*The Ramgarh Light Infantry
*3rd Local Battalion
*[[2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)|The Sirmoor Rifle Regiment]]
*The Kamaoon Battalion
*1st Assam Light Infantry
*11th Sylhet Local Light Infantry
*[[The Mhairwara Battalion]]
*2nd Assam Light Infantry
*[[Jodhpur Legion|Joudpore Legion]] (1836–1857) – a mixed unit of cavalry, infantry, and artillery (a two-gun battery)
*[[43rd Erinpura Regiment]] (1860–1921) – former Erinpura Irregular Force, itself a successor to the loyal companies of the Joudpore Legion
*Oudh Irregular Force
*Narbudda Sebundy Corps
*Shekhawati Battalion
*Harianna Light Infantry
*Regiment of Khelat-i-Gilzie
*Malwa Bheel Corps
*Kotah Contingent
*Mehidpore Contingent
*Gwalior Contingent
*Malwa Contingent
*Bhopal Contingent
*[[14th King George's Own Ferozepore Sikhs|Ferozepore Regiment]]
*Regiment of Ludhiana
*Camel Corps
*Nusseree Battalion
*Nagpore Irregular Force
*[[Deoli Irregular Force]]
*Regiment of Lucknow
*Mhair Regiment
*Kamroop Regiment
*Landhoor Rangers
*Kuppurthala Contingent
*1st and 2nd Gwalior Regiments
*Allahabad Levy
*Shahjehanpur Levy
*Cawnpore Levy
*Fatehgarh Levy
*Moradabad Levy
*Mynpoorie Levy
*Sealkote Infantry Levy
*Bareilly Levy
*Goojramwallah Levy
*Meerut Levy
*Kumaon Levy
*Agra Levy
*Cole and Sonthal Levy
*Rajpoot Levy
*Loyal Purbeah Regiment
*[[Corps of Guides (British India)|Corps of Guides]], Punjab Irregular Force
*1st to 4th Sikh Infantry Regiments of the [[Punjab Irregular Force]]
*1st to 6th Punjab Infantry Regiments of the [[Punjab Irregular Force]]
*7th to 24th Regiments of Punjab Infantry, of which the 15th and 24th were pioneer regiments


===Other===
* Malwa Bheel Corps
[[45th Rattray's Sikhs|1st Bengal Military Police Battalion]]
* Meywar Bheel Corps
* Sebundy Corps of Sappers and Miners
* East Indian Regiment
* Erinpoora Irregular Force (Cavalry and Infantry)
* Deolee Irregular Force (Cavalry and Infantry)
* [[9th Bhopal Infantry|Bhopaul Levy]]
* '''Hyderabad Contingent'''&lt;ref&gt;{{Cite web |title=The India office list 1864:2. |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b582714&amp;seq=294&amp;view=2up |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=HathiTrust |pages=240–241 |language=en}}&lt;/ref&gt;
** Artillery
*** 1st Company
*** 2nd Company
*** 3rd Company
*** 4th Company
** 1st Cavalry
** 2nd Cavalry
** 3rd Cavalry
** 4th Cavalry
** 1st Infantry
** 2nd Infantry
** 3rd Infantry
** 4th Infantry
** 5th Infantry
** 6th Infantry


==Commanders==
==Commanders==
Because the Bengal Army was the largest of the three Presidency Armies, its Commander-in-Chief was, from 1853 to 1895, also [[Commander-in-Chief, India]].<ref>Raugh, p. 45</ref><br>
Because the Bengal Army was the largest of the three Presidency Armies, its Commander-in-Chief was, from 1853 to 1895, also [[Commander-in-Chief, India]].&lt;ref&gt;Raugh, p. 45&lt;/ref&gt;&lt;br&gt;
'''Commander-in-Chief, Bengal Command'''
'''Commander-in-Chief, Bengal Command'''
* Lieutenant-General [[William Elles|Sir William Elles]] (1895–1896)
* Lieutenant-General [[William Elles|Sir William Elles]] (1895–1896)
Line 281: Line 600:
* Lieutenant-General [[George Luck|Sir George Luck]] (1898–1903)
* Lieutenant-General [[George Luck|Sir George Luck]] (1898–1903)
* Lieutenant-General [[Alfred Gaselee|Sir Alfred Gaselee]] (1903–1907)
* Lieutenant-General [[Alfred Gaselee|Sir Alfred Gaselee]] (1903–1907)
== Table of Organisation ==
The following data has been retrieved from The Quarterly Indian Army List for 1 January 1901. This date was chosen for being in a suitable time period at the end of the Bengal Army (divided at this time into Bengal and Punjab Commands).
{| class="wikitable"
!
!British personnel
!Indian Officers
!Other Ranks
!Total
|-
! rowspan="2" |Native Cavalry Regiment (Bengal and Punjab)&lt;ref name=":3"&gt;{{Cite book |last=Authority Of The Council |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.284978/page/n937/mode/2up |title=Indian Army List For January I -1901 |date=1901 |pages=945}}&lt;/ref&gt;
| rowspan="2" |Commandant
4 Squadron Commanders
5 Squadron Officers
Adjudant
Medical Officer
| rowspan="2" |Risaldar-Major
3 Risaldars
5 Ressaidars (including Wardi-Major)
8 Jamadars
|8 Kot-Daffadars
54 Daffadars
| rowspan="2" |637 per regiment
|-
|519 Sowars (504 horsemen, 8 camel riders, 3 clerks 4 Ward Orderlies)
8 Trumpeters
Farrier-Major, 16 Farriers
Salutri, Assistant Salutri
|-
! rowspan="2" |Corps of Guides&lt;ref name=":3" /&gt;&lt;ref name=":2"&gt;{{Cite book |last=Authority Of The Council |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.284978/page/n937/mode/2up |title=Indian Army List For January I -1901 |date=1901 |pages=947}}&lt;/ref&gt;
| rowspan="2" |Commandant
3 Squadron Commanders
4 Squadron Officers
4 Double-company Commanders
5 Double-company Officers
2 Adjudants (1 each for cavalry and infantry)
Quartermaster
Medical Officer
| rowspan="2" |Risaldar Major, Subadar Major
2 Risaldars
4 Ressaidars (including Wardi-Major)
7 Subadars
14 Jamadars
|6 Kot Daffadars, 40 Havildars
42 Daffadars, 40 Naiks
| rowspan="2" |1402 total
|-
|402 Sowars (391 horsemen, 8 camel riders, 3 Ward Orderlies)
800 sepoys (including 4 Ward Orderlies)
6 Trumpeters, 16 Buglers
|-
! rowspan="2" |Mountain Artillery Battery&lt;ref name=":02"&gt;{{Cite book |last=Authority Of The Council |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.284978/page/n937/mode/2up |title=Indian Army List For January I -1901 |date=1901 |pages=943}}&lt;/ref&gt;
| rowspan="2" |Captain
4 Subalterns
| rowspan="2" |Subadar
3 Jamadars
|Havildar Major, Pay Havildar, 10 Havildars
3 Daffadars, 13 Naiks
| rowspan="2" |373 per battery
|-
|114 Gunners
26 Muleteers
191 Drivers
2 Trumpeters
Salutri
2 Shoeing Smiths
|-
! rowspan="2" |Punjab Garrison Artillery&lt;ref name=":02" /&gt;
| rowspan="2" |Captain
| rowspan="2" |Subadar
Jamadar
|6 Havildars
6 Naiks
| rowspan="2" |76 total
|-
|60 Gunners
Trumpeter
|-
! rowspan="2" |Corps of Bengal Sappers and Miners&lt;ref name=":12"&gt;{{Cite book |last=Authority Of The Council |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.284978/page/n937/mode/2up |title=Indian Army List For January I -1901 |date=1901 |pages=946}}&lt;/ref&gt;
|Commandant
2 Superintendents
Adjudant
10 Company Commanders
10 Company Officers
Medical Officer
| rowspan="2" |10 Subadars
18 Jamadars
|67 Havildars
101 Naiks
| rowspan="2" |1872 total
|-
|Warrant Officer, Regimental Sergeant Major
Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant, 2 Quartermaster Segreant Instructors, 4 Company Sergeant Majors
40 British Non-commissioned Officers
|1404 Sappers
90 Drivers
18 Buglers
90 Recruit and Pension Boys
|-
! rowspan="2" |Native Infantry Regiment (Bengal, Gurkha and Punjab)&lt;ref name=":2" /&gt;
| rowspan="2" |Commandant
4 Double-company Commanders
4 Double-company Officers
Adjudant
Quartermaster
Medical Officer
| rowspan="2" |Subadar Major
7 Subadars
8 Jamadars
|40 Havildars
40 Naiks
| rowspan="2" |924 per regiment
|-
|800 Sepoys (including 3 clerks and 4 Ward Orderlies)
16 Drummers
|}
Each Mountain Artillery battery was authorised 10 horses and 233 mules.&lt;ref name=":02" /&gt;
The Bengal Sappers and Miners were authorised 90 mules.&lt;ref name=":12" /&gt;
Gurkha Regiments were authorised 14 or 20 supernumerary personnel per battalion. The 2nd (31st before 1860) Bengal Light Infantry and 2nd Gurkha Rifles were authorised 1 extra Jamadar to carry their respective honorary colours. Pioneer Regiments were authorised 24 Artificers each (2 Havildars, 2 Naik and 20 Sepoys) each. The Havildar and Naik Artificers were supernumerary NCOs.&lt;ref name=":2" /&gt;


==See also==
==See also==
Line 291: Line 731:


==Sources==
==Sources==
*{{cite book| first1 = Robert A. |last1= Bickers| first2= R. G. |last2=Tiedemann| title = The Boxers, China, and the World| publisher = Rowman & Littlefield| year = 2007| isbn = 978-0-7425-5395-8}}
*{{cite book| first1 = Robert A. |last1= Bickers| first2= R. G. |last2=Tiedemann| title = The Boxers, China, and the World| publisher = Rowman &amp; Littlefield| year = 2007| isbn = 978-0-7425-5395-8}}
*{{cite book|last=Carmen|title=Indian Army Uniforms under the British from the 18th century to 1947. Artillery, Engineers and Infantry|year=1969|publisher=Morgan-Grampian Books Ltd|isbn=978-0-249-43956-4}}
*{{cite book|last=Carmen|title=Indian Army Uniforms under the British from the 18th century to 1947. Artillery, Engineers and Infantry|year=1969|publisher=Morgan-Grampian Books Ltd|isbn=978-0-249-43956-4}}
*{{cite book|first=Boris|last=Mollo|title=The Indian Army|publisher=Littlehampton Book Services Ltd|year=1981|isbn=978-0-7137-1074-8}}
*{{cite book|first=Boris|last=Mollo|title=The Indian Army|publisher=Littlehampton Book Services Ltd|year=1981|isbn=978-0-7137-1074-8}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HvE_Pa_ZlfsC&pg=PA55 |last=Raugh|first=Harold|title=The Victorians at War, 1815-1914: An Encyclopedia of British Military History|year=2004|publisher=ABC-CLIO Ltd|isbn=978-1-57607-925-6}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HvE_Pa_ZlfsC&amp;pg=PA55 |last=Raugh|first=Harold|title=The Victorians at War, 1815–1914: An Encyclopedia of British Military History|year=2004|publisher=ABC-CLIO Ltd|isbn=978-1-57607-925-6}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TNpeJWBT0fwC&pg=PA97 |last=Shah|first=Giriraja |title=Nainital: The Land of Trumpet and Song; Based on J.M. Clay's Book on Nainital|year=1999|publisher=Shakti Malik|isbn=978-81-7017-324-3}}
*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TNpeJWBT0fwC&amp;pg=PA97 |last=Shah|first=Giriraja |title=Nainital: The Land of Trumpet and Song; Based on J.M. Clay's Book on Nainital|year=1999|publisher=Shakti Malik|isbn=978-81-7017-324-3}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
*Stubbs, Francis W. Major-General., ''History of the Organization, Equipment, And War Services of the Regiment of Bengal Artillery, Compiled From Published Works, Official Records, And Various Private Sources'' (London. Volumes 1 & 2. Henry S. King, 1877. Volume 3. W.H. Allen, 1895). A full detailed history with maps, appendices, etc.
*Stubbs, Francis W. Major-General., ''History of the Organization, Equipment, And War Services of the Regiment of Bengal Artillery, Compiled From Published Works, Official Records, And Various Private Sources'' (London. Volumes 1 &amp; 2. Henry S. King, 1877. Volume 3. W.H. Allen, 1895). A full detailed history with maps, appendices, etc.
*Cardew, F. G., ''Sketch of the Services of the Bengal Native Army: To the Year 1895'' (Calcutta: Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, 1903, reprinted by Naval and Military Press Ltd., 2005, {{ISBN|1-84574-186-2}}) Contents: Chapter I: 1599–1767; II. 1767–1796; III. 1797–1814; IV. 1814–1824; V. 1824–1838; VI. 1838–1845; VII. 1845–1857; VIII. 1857–1861; IX. 1862–1979; X. 1878–1881; XI. 1882–1890; XII. 1891–1895; Appendix: I. A Chronological List of the Corps of the Bengal Army, Showing particulars of their origin and their subsequent history; II. Existing Corps of the Bengal Army, Showing Dates of Raising and Changes in their Titles; III. Commanders-in-chief of the Bengal Army; IV. Chronology list of the Services of the Bengal Native Army; Index.
*Cardew, F. G., ''Sketch of the Services of the Bengal Native Army: To the Year 1895'' (Calcutta: Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, 1903, reprinted by Naval and Military Press Ltd., 2005, {{ISBN|1-84574-186-2}}) Contents: Chapter I: 1599–1767; II. 1767–1796; III. 1797–1814; IV. 1814–1824; V. 1824–1838; VI. 1838–1845; VII. 1845–1857; VIII. 1857–1861; IX. 1862–1979; X. 1878–1881; XI. 1882–1890; XII. 1891–1895; Appendix: I. A Chronological List of the Corps of the Bengal Army, Showing particulars of their origin and their subsequent history; II. Existing Corps of the Bengal Army, Showing Dates of Raising and Changes in their Titles; III. Commanders-in-chief of the Bengal Army; IV. Chronology list of the Services of the Bengal Native Army; Index.
* {{cite book|last=Malleson|first=George Bruce|author-link=George Bruce Malleson|title=[[s:The Mutiny of the Bengal Army|The Mutiny of the Bengal Army]]|year=1857|publisher=Bosworth and Harrison|location=London}}
* {{cite book|last=Malleson|first=George Bruce|author-link=George Bruce Malleson|title=[[s:The Mutiny of the Bengal Army|The Mutiny of the Bengal Army]]|year=1857|publisher=Bosworth and Harrison|location=London}}
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{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:British East India Company]]
[[Category:Military of British India]]
[[Category:Military of British India]]
[[Category:Military history of the British East India Company]]
[[Category:Military history of the British East India Company]]
[[Category:History of the Bengal Sappers]]
[[Category:History of the Bengal Engineer Group]]
[[Category:Bengal Presidency]]
[[Category:Bengal Presidency]]
[[Category:1756 establishments in the British Empire]]
[[Category:1756 establishments in the British Empire]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1756]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1756]]

Revision as of 13:35, 15 March 2026


See also: Bengal Presidency Army Units

Bengal Army
Active1756–1895 (as the Bengal Army)<br>1895–1908 (as the Bengal Command of the British Indian Army)
CountryTemplate:Country data East India CompanyTemplate:Preview warning Company ruled India<br> British India
AllegianceTemplate:Country data East India Company (1756-1895)<br> British India (1895-1908)
TypeCommand
Size105,000 (1876)<ref name=raugh>Raugh, p. 55</ref>
Part ofPresidency armies
Garrison/HQNainital, Nainital district (1895–1908)<ref>Shah, p. 97</ref>

The Bengal Army was the army of the Bengal Presidency, one of the three presidencies of British India within the British Empire.

It was formed in 1756 and underwent various re-organisations, including the creation of irregular infantry and cavalry regiments during the 1840s. It was originally recruited from high-caste Hindus but more diversity was introduced after 1857.

The presidency armies, like the presidencies themselves, belonged to the East India Company (EIC) until the Government of India Act 1858, passed in the aftermath of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, transferred all three presidencies to the direct authority of the British Crown. In 1895 the three presidency armies were merged into the British Indian Army.

History

Origins

The Bengal Army originated with the establishment of a European Regiment in 1756.<ref>Raugh, p. 46</ref> While the East India Company had previously maintained a small force of Dutch and Eurasian mercenaries in Bengal, this was destroyed when Calcutta was captured by the Nawab of Bengal on 30 June that year.<ref>Reid, Stuart (18 August 2009). Armies of the East India Company 1750–1850. Bloomsbury USA. p. 5. ISBN 978-1-84603-460-2.</ref>

East India Company

1812 illustration of a Bengal Army sergeant and grenadier

In 1757, the first locally recruited unit of Bengal sepoys was created in the form of the Lal Paltan battalion. It was recruited from soldiers that had served in the Nawab's Army from Bihar and the Awadh (Oudh) who were collectively called Purbiyas. Drilled and armed along British army lines this force served well at the Battle of Plassey in 1757 and 20 more Indian battalions were raised by 1764. In 1766, the Monghyr Mutiny, quelled by Robert Clive, affected many of the white officers of the Bengal Army.<ref>Martin, Robert Montgomery (1879). Our Indian Empire and the Adjacent Countries of Afghanistan, Beloochistan, Persia, Etc., Depicted and Described by Pen and Pencil. London Print. and Publishing Company. p. 305.</ref>

In his deposition, Lieutenant General Jasper Nicolls, who was an army commander stationed in India, stated of the Bengal Army's recruitment that:<ref>Barat, Amiya (1962). The Bengal Native Infantry: Its Organisation and Discipline, 1796-1852. Firma K.L. Mukhopadhyay. p. 119.</ref><ref>Parliament. House of Commons. Select Committee on the East India Company (1832). Minutes of Evidence Taken Before the Select Committee on the Affairs of the East India Company: And Also an Appendix and Index, Volume 3, Part 1. House of Commons.</ref>

"It may well be said that the whole sepoy army of Bengal is drawn from the Company's province of Bihar and Oudh, with very few exceptions".

The East India Company steadily expanded its Bengal Army and by 1796 the establishment was set at three battalions of European artillery, three regiments of European infantry, ten regiments of Indian cavalry and twelve regiments (each of two battalions) of Indian infantry.<ref>Mollo, pp. 13–14</ref>

In 1824 the Bengal Army underwent reorganisation, with the regular infantry being grouped into 68 single battalion regiments numbered according to their date of establishment. Nine additional infantry regiments were subsequently raised, though several existing units were disbanded between 1826 and 1843. On the eve of the First Afghan War (1839–42) the Bengal Army had achieved a dominant role in the forces of the HEIC. There were 74 battalions of Bengal regular infantry against only 52 from Madras, 26 from Bombay and 24 British (Queen's and Company). On average an inch and a half taller and a stone heavier than the southern Indian troops, the Bengal sepoy was highly regarded by a military establishment that tended to evaluate its soldiers by physical appearance.<ref>Mason, Philip (1986). A Matter of Honour – An Account of the Indian Army, its Officers and Men. Macmillan. pp. 194–195. ISBN 0-333-41837-9.</ref>

Bengal troops in the 19th century (1840s)
Bengal infantry on the line of march

A new feature in the Bengal Army was the creation of irregular infantry and cavalry regiments during the 1840s.<ref>Mollo, pp. 51-52</ref> Originally designated as "Local Infantry" these were permanently established units but with less formal drill and fewer British officers than the regular Bengal line regiments.<ref>Creese, Michael (2015). Swords Trembling in Their Scabbards. The Changing Status of Indian Officers in the Indian Army 1757–1947. Helion Limited. pp. 26–27. ISBN 9-781909-982819.</ref>

The main source of recruitment continued to be high caste Brahmins, Bhumihars and Rajputs from Bihar and Oudh,<ref name=":4">Wagner, Kim A. (2018). The Skull of Alum Bheg: The Life and Death of a Rebel of 1857. Oxford University Press. pp. 18, 22. ISBN 978-0-19-087023-2.</ref><ref name=":5">Mason, Philip (1986). A Matter of Honour - An Account of the Indian Army, its Officers and Men. Macmillan. p. 125. ISBN 0-333-41837-9.</ref> although the eight regular cavalry regiments consisted mainly of Muslim sowars from the Indian Muslim biradaris such as the Ranghar, Sheikhs, Sayyids, Mughals, and Hindustani Pathans.<ref>Defence Journal:Volumes 4-5. 2001. p. 66.</ref><ref>Sumit Walia (2021). Unbattled Fears: Reckoning the National Security. Lancer Publishers. p. 125. ISBN 9788170623311.</ref><ref>Calcutta Review 1956. University of Calcutta. 1956. p. 38.</ref>

Skinner's Horse

Another innovation introduced prior to 1845 was to designate specific regiments as "Volunteers" – that is recruited for general service, with sepoys who had accepted a commitment for possible overseas duty. Recruits for the Bengal Army who were prepared to travel by ship if required, received a special allowance or batta.<ref>Wagner, Kim A. (2014). The Great Fear of 1857. Dev Publishers & Distributors. p. 37. ISBN 978-93-81406-34-2.</ref> Two of these BNI regiments were serving in China in 1857 and so escaped any involvement in the great rebellion of that year.<ref>MacMunn, Lt. Gen. Sir George (1984). The Armies of India. Crécy. p. 100. ISBN 0-947554-02-5.</ref> The East India Company's Bengal Army in 1857 consisted of 151,361 men of all ranks, of whom the great majority - 128,663 - were Indians.<ref name=":1">Spilsbury, Julian (2007). The Indian Mutiny. Jouve, France: Orion Publishing Group. p. 9. ISBN 9780297856306.</ref>

Indian Rebellion 1857

A total of 64 Bengal Army regular infantry and cavalry regiments rebelled during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, or were disbanded after their continued loyalty was considered doubtful.<ref name=raugh/> From 1858 onwards the Chamars (outcaste)<ref>Karsten, Peter (31 October 2013). Recruiting, Drafting, and Enlisting: Two Sides of the Raising of Military Forces. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-135-66150-2.</ref> and the actual high-caste Awadhi and Bihari Hindu presence in the Bengal Army was reduced<ref>David, Saul (4 September 2003). The Indian Mutiny. Penguin Adult. p. 377. ISBN 0-141-00554-8.</ref> because of their perceived primary role as "mutineers" in the 1857 rebellion.<ref name="Boxers">Bickers and Tiedemann, p. 231</ref> The new and less homogeneous Bengal Army was essentially drawn from Punjabi Muslims, Sikhs, Gurkhas, Baluchis and Pathans, although twelve of the pre-mutiny Bengal line infantry regiments continued in service with the same basis of recruitment, traditions and uniform colours as before.<ref>W.Y. Carman, pages 107–108, "Indian Army Uniforms" Morgan-Grampian Books 1969</ref>

A largely unspoken rationale was that an army of diverse origins was unlikely to unite in rebellion.<ref>Mason, Philip (1986). A Matter of Honour. Macmillan. pp. 320 &amp, 326 &amp, 359. ISBN 0-333-41837-9.</ref>

Demise

Soldiers of the 1st European Bengal Fusiliers, pre-1862
Sepoy of the 6th Bengal Light Infantry, c. 1890s.

In 1895 the three separate Presidency Armies began a process of unification which was not to be concluded until the Kitchener reforms of eight years later.<ref>Gaylor, John (1992). Sons of John Company. The Indian & Pakistan Armies 1903–1991. Spellmount. p. 2. ISBN 0-946771-98-7.</ref> As an initial step the Army of India was divided into four commands, each commanded by a lieutenant-general. These comprised Bengal, Bombay (including Aden), Madras (including Burma) and Punjab (including the North West Frontier).<ref>"Northern Command". Retrieved 5 July 2013.</ref> In 1903 the separately numbered regiments of the Bombay, Madras and Bengal Armies were unified in a single organisational sequence and the presidency affiliations disappeared.<ref>Gaylor, John (1992). Sons of John Company. The Indian & Pakistan Armies 1903–1991. Spellmount. p. 3. ISBN 0-946771-98-7.</ref>

The Bengal infantry units in existence at the end of the Presidency era continued as the senior regiments (1st Brahmans to 48th Pioneers) of the newly unified Indian Army.<ref>Carmen, pp. 225-226</ref>

Ethnic composition

The Bengal Army of the East India Company was mainly recruited from high castes living in Bihar and the Awadh.<ref>Hiltebeitel, Alf (1999). Rethinking India's Oral and Classical Epics: Draupadi among Rajputs, Muslims and Dalits. University of Chicago Press. p. 308. ISBN 978-0226340500.</ref>

Prior to 1857, company military service was most popular in the zamindaris of North and South Bihar with the East India Company signing contracts to raise levies of troops from them.<ref name="Alavi1995">Alavi, Seema (1995). The Sepoys and the Company: Tradition and Transition in Northern India, 1770-1830. Oxford University Press. pp. 51–55. ISBN 9780195634846.</ref> Recruits from the Rajput and Brahman caste<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref>Bayly, Susan (22 February 2001). Caste, Society and Politics in India from the Eighteenth Century to the Modern Age. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-79842-6.</ref><ref>Roy, Kaushik (2004). India's Historic Battles: From Alexander the Great to Kargil. Orient Blackswan. ISBN 978-81-7824-109-8.</ref> were common and they would use service in the Bengal Army as an opportunity to raise their wealth and status and for this reason, the Bhumihar zamindaris of Bihar became "prime recruiting grounds" for the Army.<ref name= Alavi1995 />

In the 1780s, the Company maintained a major recruiting station in Buxar with six companies under a Captain Eaton. These recruiting stations in Bihar were kept as "nurseries" which supplied battalions when drafts were made. Other recruiting centres were located in Bhagalpur, Shahabad, Monghyr, Saran and Hajipur.<ref name="Alavi1995" />

Brigadier Troup, who served as the commander of Bareilly, stated of recruitment that the ‘Bengal native Infantry came chiefly from the province of Awadh, Buxar, Bhojpur and Arrah.’<ref name= Alavi1995 /> In 1810, Francis Buchanan-Hamilton noted in his account of the districts of Bihar, that the number of men absent from Shahabad to serve in the Army was 4680. The Ujjainiya zamindar of Bhojpur also informed him that 12000 recruits from his district had joined the Bengal Army.<ref name= Alavi1995 />

Writing in The Indian Army (1834), Sir John Malcolm, who had a lifetime's experience of Indian soldiering, wrote: "They consist largely of Rajpoots (Rajput), who are a distinguished race. We may judge the size of these men when we are told that the height below which no recruit is taken is five feet six inches. The great proportion of the Grenadiers are six feet and upwards."<ref name=":1" />

Both prior to and following 1857, the Bengal Army included what were to become some of the most famous units in India: Skinner's Horse, the Gurkhas from the Himalayas and the Corps of Guides on the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.<ref>'Lumsden of the Guides' (London, 1899) by P. Lumsden and G. Elsmie; p. 28.</ref>

Composition in 1856

Cavalry

Bengal Regular Cavalry

These were:<ref>East-India Register and Army List. W.H. Allen. 1856. pp. 90–99.</ref>

  • 1st Regiment of Light Cavalry
  • 2nd Regiment of Light Cavalry
  • 3rd Regiment of Light Cavalry
  • 4th Regiment of Light Cavalry (Lancers)
  • 5th Regiment of Light Cavalry
  • 6th Regiment of Light Cavalry
  • 7th Regiment of Light Cavalry
  • 8th Regiment of Light Cavalry
  • 9th Regiment of Light Cavalry
  • 10th Regiment of Light Cavalry

Bengal Irregular Cavalry

These were:<ref>East-India Register and Army List. W.H. Allen. 1856. pp. 181–184.</ref>

Skinner's Horse at Exercis
Skinner's Horse Regimental Durbar
'7th Irregular Cavalry', 1841 (c)

Artillery

Bengal Horse Artillery

These were:<ref name=":0">East-India Register and Army List. W.H. Allen. 1856. pp. 76 (Bengal Establishment).</ref>

  • 1st Brigade
    • 3 European Troops
    • 2 Native Troops
  • 2nd Brigade
    • 3 European Troops
    • Native Troop
  • 3rd Brigade
    • 3 European Troops
    • Native Troop

Bengal European Foot Artillery (4 companies per battalion)

These were:<ref name=":0" />

  • 1st Battalion
  • 2nd Battalion
  • 3rd Battalion
  • 4th Battalion
  • 5th Battalion
  • 6th Battalion

Bengal Native Foot Artillery (6 companies per battalion)

These were:<ref name=":0" />

  • 1st Battalion
  • 2nd Battalion
  • 3rd Battalion

Engineers

Corps of Engineers

These were:<ref>East-India Register and Army List. W.H. Allen. 1856. p. 85.</ref>

Corps of Bengal Sappers and Miners

These were:<ref>East-India Register and Army List. W.H. Allen. 1856. p. 89.</ref>

Infantry

Bengal European Infantry

These were:<ref>East-India Register and Army List. W.H. Allen. 1856. pp. 100–104.</ref>

Bengal Native Infantry

These were:<ref>East-India Register and Army List. W.H. Allen. 1856. pp. 106–179.</ref>

Bengal Native Infantry 1846
Hindu priests garlanding the colours of the 35th Bengal Light Infantry at a Presentation of Colours ceremony, c. 1847
Lieutenant-General Sir John Bennet Hearsey, 2nd (Bengal) Irregular Cavalry (Gardner's Horse). Painted circa 1839.
  • 1st Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 2nd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Grenadiers)
  • 3rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 4th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 5th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 6th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 7th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 8th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 9th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 10th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 11th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 12th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 13th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 14th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 15th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 16th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Grenadiers)
  • 17th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 18th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 19th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 20th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 21st Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 22nd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 23rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 24th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 25th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 26th Regiment of Bengal Light Infantry
  • 27th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 28th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 29th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 30th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 31st Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 32nd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 33rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 34th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 35th Regiment of Bengal Light Infantry
  • 36th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Volunteers)
  • 37th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Volunteers)
  • 38th Regiment of Bengal Light Infantry (Volunteers)
  • 39th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Volunteers)
  • 40th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Volunteers)
  • 41st Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 42nd Regiment of Bengal Light Infantry
  • 43rd Regiment of Bengal Light Infantry
  • 44th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 45th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 46th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 47th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Volunteers)
  • 48th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 49th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 50th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 51st Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 52nd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 53rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 54th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 55th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 56th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 57th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 58th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 59th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 60th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 61st Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 62nd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 63rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 64th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 65th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Volunteers)
  • 66th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Goorkha Regiment)
  • 67th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Volunteers)
  • 68th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 69th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 70th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 71st Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 72nd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 73rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
  • 74th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
Bengal Local Infantry

These were:<ref>East-India Register and Army List. W.H. Allen. 1856. pp. 189–191.</ref>

Other Infantry Units

These were:<ref>East-India Register and Army List. W.H. Allen. 1856. p. 180.</ref>

Punjab Irregular Force

These were:<ref>East-India Register and Army List. W.H. Allen. 1856. pp. 185–187.</ref>

Punjab Cavalry

Punjab Infantry

Sikh Corps

Other Units

These were:<ref>East-India Register and Army List. W.H. Allen. 1856. pp. 192–196.</ref>

  • Nagpore Irregular Force<ref>East-India Register and Army List. W.H. Allen. 1856. p. 188.</ref>
    • Cavalry Regiment
    • Artillery
    • 1st Infantry
    • 2nd Infantry
    • 3rd Infantry
  • Malwa Bheel Corps
  • Meywar Bheel Corps
  • Sebundy Corps of Sappers and Miners
  • The Shekhawatee Brigade (Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry)
  • The Joudpore Legion (Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry)
  • Gwalior Contingent<ref>East-India Register and Army List. W.H. Allen. 1856. pp. 193–194.</ref>
    • 1st Cavalry
    • 2nd Cavalry
    • Artillery
    • 1st Infantry
    • 2nd Infantry
    • 3rd Infantry
    • 4th Infantry
    • 5th Infantry
    • 6th Infantry
    • 7th Infantry
  • Malwa Contingent (Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry)
  • Bhopal Contingent (Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry)
  • Hyderabad Contingent<ref>East-India Register and Army List. W.H. Allen. 1856. pp. 195–196.</ref>
  • Kotah Contingent (Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry)

Units raised during 1857 Rebellion

Cavalry

Bengal European Cavalry

These were:<ref>The India Office List. H.M. Stationery Office. 1859. pp. 90-99 (Bengal Establishment).</ref>

  • 1st European Light Cavalry
  • 2nd European Light Cavalry
  • 3rd European Light Cavalry
  • 4th European Light Cavalry
  • 5th European Light Cavalry

Sikh Irregular Cavalry

These were:<ref>The India Office List. H.M. Stationery Office. 1859. pp. 184*.</ref>

  • 1st Sikh Irregular Cavalry
  • 2nd Sikh Irregular Cavalry
  • 3rd Sikh Irregular Cavalry
  • 4th Sikh Irregular Cavalry

Infantry

Bengal European Infantry

These were:<ref>The India Office List. H.M. Stationery Office. 1859. pp. 106–111.</ref>

  • 4th European Infantry
  • 5th European Infantry
  • 6th European Infantry

Bengal Local Infantry

These were:<ref>The India Office List. H.M. Stationery Office. 1859. pp. 189 (Bengal Establishment).</ref>

  • Calcutta Volunteer Guards (Cavalry, Artillery, Infantry)

Other Infantry Units

Punjab Irregular Force

Punjab Infantry

These were:<ref>The India Office List. H.M. Stationery Office. 1859. pp. 187a, 187b, 187c (Bengal Establishment).</ref>

  • 7th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
  • 8th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
  • 9th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
  • 10th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
  • 11th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
  • 12th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
  • 13th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
  • 14th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
  • 15th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
  • 16th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
  • 17th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
  • 18th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
  • 19th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
  • 20th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
  • 21st Regiment of Punjab Infantry
  • 22nd Regiment of Punjab Infantry
  • 23rd Regiment of Punjab Infantry
  • 24th Regiment of Punjab Infantry
  • 25th Regiment of Punjab Infantry

Sikh Corps

  • Sikh Volunteers<ref>The India Office List. H.M. Stationery Office. 1859. pp. 185 (Bengal Establishment).</ref>

Other Units

These were:<ref>The India Office List. H.M. Stationery Office. 1859. pp. 187d, 187e, 187f (Bengal Establishment).</ref>

  • Muneepoor Regiment
  • Kamroop Regiment
  • Mhair Regiment
  • Peshawur Light Horse
  • Lahore Light Horse
  • Camel Corps
  • Beatson's Horse
    • 1st Regiment
    • 2nd Regiment
  • Rohilcund Horse
  • Goorkha Force
  • Extra Goorkha Regiment
  • Irregular Horse
  • Mahratta Horse
    • 1st Regiment
    • 2nd Regiment
  • Hodson's Horse
    • 1st Regiment
    • 2nd Regiment
    • 3rd Regiment
  • Mynpoorie Irregular Horse

Composition in 1864

Cavalry

These were:<ref>"The India office list 1864:2". HathiTrust. pp. 134–139. Retrieved 25 August 2024.</ref>

  • 1st Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
  • 2nd Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
  • 3rd Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
  • 4th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
  • 5th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
  • 6th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
  • 7th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
  • 8th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
  • 9th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
  • 10th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
  • 11th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
  • 12th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
  • 13th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
  • 14th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
  • 15th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
  • 16th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
  • 17th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
  • 18th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
  • 19th Regiment of Bengal Cavalry
  • Lahore Light Horse
  • 1st Regiment of Central India Horse
  • 2nd Regiment of Central India Horse

Artillery

These were:<ref>"The India office list 1864:2". HathiTrust. p. 121. Retrieved 25 August 2024.</ref>

Royal Horse Artillery

  • C Brigade
  • F Brigade

Royal Artillery

  • 16th Brigade
  • 19th Brigade
  • 22nd Brigade
  • 24th Brigade
  • 25th Brigade

Engineers

Infantry

These were:<ref>"The India office list 1864:2". HathiTrust. pp. 140–152. Retrieved 25 August 2024.</ref>

  • 1st Native Infantry
  • 2nd Native Infantry
  • 3rd Native Infantry
  • 4th Native Infantry (Volunteer Corps)
  • 5th Native Infantry
  • 6th Native (Light) Infantry
  • 7th Native Infantry
  • 8th Native Infantry
  • 9th Native Infantry
  • 10th Native Infantry
  • 11th Native Infantry
  • 12th Native Infantry
  • 13th Native Infantry
  • 14th Native Infantry
  • 15th Native Infantry
  • 16th Native Infantry
  • 17th Native Infantry
  • 18th Native Infantry
  • 19th Native Infantry
  • 20th Native Infantry
  • 21st Native Infantry
  • 22nd Native Infantry
  • 23rd Native Infantry
  • 24th Native Infantry
  • 25th Native Infantry
  • 26th Native Infantry
  • 27th Native Infantry
  • 28th Native Infantry
  • 29th Native Infantry
  • 30th Native Infantry
  • 31st Native Infantry
  • 32nd Native Infantry
  • 33rd Native Infantry
  • 34th Native Infantry
  • 35th Native Infantry
  • 36th Native Infantry
  • 37th Native Infantry
  • 38th Native Infantry
  • 39th Native Infantry
  • 40th Native Infantry
  • 41st Native Infantry
  • 42nd Native Infantry
  • 43rd Native Infantry
  • 44th Native Infantry
  • 45th Native Infantry
  • 1st Goorkha Regiment
  • 2nd Goorkha Regiment
  • 3rd Goorkha Regiment
  • 4th Goorkha Regiment
  • 5th Goorkha Regiment

Punjab Irregular Force

Sikh Infantry

These were:<ref>"The India office list 1864:2". HathiTrust. pp. 153–154. Retrieved 25 August 2024.</ref>

  • 1st Regiment
  • 2nd Regiment
  • 3rd Regiment
  • 4th Regiment

Punjab Cavalry

These were:<ref>"The India office list 1864:2". HathiTrust. pp. 154–155. Retrieved 25 August 2024.</ref>

  • 1st Regiment
  • 2nd Regiment
  • 3rd Regiment
  • 4th Regiment
  • 5th Regiment

Punjab Infantry

These were:<ref>"The India office list 1864:2". HathiTrust. pp. 155–156. Retrieved 25 August 2024.</ref>

  • 1st Punjab Infantry
  • 2nd Punjab Infantry
  • 3rd Punjab Infantry
  • 4th Punjab Infantry
  • 5th Punjab Infantry
  • 6th Punjab Infantry

Corps of Guides

Other units

These were:<ref>"The India office list 1864:2". HathiTrust. pp. 157–161. Retrieved 25 August 2024.</ref>

  • Malwa Bheel Corps
  • Meywar Bheel Corps
  • Sebundy Corps of Sappers and Miners
  • East Indian Regiment
  • Erinpoora Irregular Force (Cavalry and Infantry)
  • Deolee Irregular Force (Cavalry and Infantry)
  • Bhopaul Levy
  • Hyderabad Contingent<ref>"The India office list 1864:2". HathiTrust. pp. 240–241. Retrieved 25 August 2024.</ref>
    • Artillery
      • 1st Company
      • 2nd Company
      • 3rd Company
      • 4th Company
    • 1st Cavalry
    • 2nd Cavalry
    • 3rd Cavalry
    • 4th Cavalry
    • 1st Infantry
    • 2nd Infantry
    • 3rd Infantry
    • 4th Infantry
    • 5th Infantry
    • 6th Infantry

Commanders

Because the Bengal Army was the largest of the three Presidency Armies, its Commander-in-Chief was, from 1853 to 1895, also Commander-in-Chief, India.<ref>Raugh, p. 45</ref><br> Commander-in-Chief, Bengal Command

Table of Organisation

The following data has been retrieved from The Quarterly Indian Army List for 1 January 1901. This date was chosen for being in a suitable time period at the end of the Bengal Army (divided at this time into Bengal and Punjab Commands).

British personnel Indian Officers Other Ranks Total
Native Cavalry Regiment (Bengal and Punjab)<ref name=":3">Authority Of The Council (1901). Indian Army List For January I -1901. p. 945.</ref> Commandant

4 Squadron Commanders 5 Squadron Officers Adjudant Medical Officer

Risaldar-Major

3 Risaldars 5 Ressaidars (including Wardi-Major) 8 Jamadars

8 Kot-Daffadars

54 Daffadars

637 per regiment
519 Sowars (504 horsemen, 8 camel riders, 3 clerks 4 Ward Orderlies)

8 Trumpeters Farrier-Major, 16 Farriers Salutri, Assistant Salutri

Corps of Guides<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2">Authority Of The Council (1901). Indian Army List For January I -1901. p. 947.</ref> Commandant

3 Squadron Commanders 4 Squadron Officers 4 Double-company Commanders 5 Double-company Officers 2 Adjudants (1 each for cavalry and infantry) Quartermaster Medical Officer

Risaldar Major, Subadar Major

2 Risaldars 4 Ressaidars (including Wardi-Major) 7 Subadars 14 Jamadars

6 Kot Daffadars, 40 Havildars

42 Daffadars, 40 Naiks

1402 total
402 Sowars (391 horsemen, 8 camel riders, 3 Ward Orderlies)

800 sepoys (including 4 Ward Orderlies) 6 Trumpeters, 16 Buglers

Mountain Artillery Battery<ref name=":02">Authority Of The Council (1901). Indian Army List For January I -1901. p. 943.</ref> Captain

4 Subalterns

Subadar

3 Jamadars

Havildar Major, Pay Havildar, 10 Havildars

3 Daffadars, 13 Naiks

373 per battery
114 Gunners

26 Muleteers 191 Drivers 2 Trumpeters Salutri 2 Shoeing Smiths

Punjab Garrison Artillery<ref name=":02" /> Captain Subadar

Jamadar

6 Havildars

6 Naiks

76 total
60 Gunners

Trumpeter

Corps of Bengal Sappers and Miners<ref name=":12">Authority Of The Council (1901). Indian Army List For January I -1901. p. 946.</ref> Commandant

2 Superintendents Adjudant 10 Company Commanders 10 Company Officers Medical Officer

10 Subadars

18 Jamadars

67 Havildars

101 Naiks

1872 total
Warrant Officer, Regimental Sergeant Major

Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant, 2 Quartermaster Segreant Instructors, 4 Company Sergeant Majors 40 British Non-commissioned Officers

1404 Sappers

90 Drivers 18 Buglers 90 Recruit and Pension Boys

Native Infantry Regiment (Bengal, Gurkha and Punjab)<ref name=":2" /> Commandant

4 Double-company Commanders 4 Double-company Officers Adjudant Quartermaster Medical Officer

Subadar Major

7 Subadars 8 Jamadars

40 Havildars

40 Naiks

924 per regiment
800 Sepoys (including 3 clerks and 4 Ward Orderlies)

16 Drummers

Each Mountain Artillery battery was authorised 10 horses and 233 mules.<ref name=":02" />

The Bengal Sappers and Miners were authorised 90 mules.<ref name=":12" />

Gurkha Regiments were authorised 14 or 20 supernumerary personnel per battalion. The 2nd (31st before 1860) Bengal Light Infantry and 2nd Gurkha Rifles were authorised 1 extra Jamadar to carry their respective honorary colours. Pioneer Regiments were authorised 24 Artificers each (2 Havildars, 2 Naik and 20 Sepoys) each. The Havildar and Naik Artificers were supernumerary NCOs.<ref name=":2" />

See also

References

Sources

Further reading

  • Stubbs, Francis W. Major-General., History of the Organization, Equipment, And War Services of the Regiment of Bengal Artillery, Compiled From Published Works, Official Records, And Various Private Sources (London. Volumes 1 & 2. Henry S. King, 1877. Volume 3. W.H. Allen, 1895). A full detailed history with maps, appendices, etc.
  • Cardew, F. G., Sketch of the Services of the Bengal Native Army: To the Year 1895 (Calcutta: Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, 1903, reprinted by Naval and Military Press Ltd., 2005, ISBN 1-84574-186-2) Contents: Chapter I: 1599–1767; II. 1767–1796; III. 1797–1814; IV. 1814–1824; V. 1824–1838; VI. 1838–1845; VII. 1845–1857; VIII. 1857–1861; IX. 1862–1979; X. 1878–1881; XI. 1882–1890; XII. 1891–1895; Appendix: I. A Chronological List of the Corps of the Bengal Army, Showing particulars of their origin and their subsequent history; II. Existing Corps of the Bengal Army, Showing Dates of Raising and Changes in their Titles; III. Commanders-in-chief of the Bengal Army; IV. Chronology list of the Services of the Bengal Native Army; Index.
  • Malleson, George Bruce (1857). The Mutiny of the Bengal Army . London: Bosworth and Harrison.
  • Stanley, Peter, White Mutiny: British Military Culture in India 1825–75 (Christopher Hurst, London, 1998).
  • J.B.M. Frederick, Lineage Book of British Land Forces 1660–1978, Vol II, Wakefield, Microform Academic, 1984, ISBN 1-85117-009-X.
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