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{{morerefs|date=November | {{morerefs|date=November 2022}} | ||
{{short description|Designation given to | {{short description|Designation given to a South Asian soldier}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=June | {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=July | {{Use Indian English|date=July 2022}} | ||
{{Infobox military unit | {{Infobox military unit | ||
| unit_name = | | unit_name = | ||
| native_name = | | native_name = | ||
| image = Knave_(Hyder_Ali_from_Mysore)_from_Court_Game_of_Geography_MET_DP862917.jpg | | image = Knave_(Hyder_Ali_from_Mysore)_from_Court_Game_of_Geography_MET_DP862917.jpg | ||
| image_size = 200px | | image_size = 200px | ||
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| battles = | | battles = | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{wikt | sepoy}} | |||
{{Equivalent ranks of Indian military}} | {{Equivalent ranks of Indian military}} | ||
'''''Sepoy''''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|iː|p|ɔɪ}}) was | '''''Sepoy''''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|iː|p|ɔɪ}}) was the Persian-derived designation originally given{{when?|date=June 2022}} to a professional [[Indian people | Indian]] [[infantryman]], traditionally armed with a [[musket]], in the [[Army of the Mughal Empire | armies of the Mughal Empire]]. | ||
In the 18th century, the [[French East India Company]] and its other European counterparts employed locally recruited soldiers within India, mainly consisting of infantry designated as "sepoys". The largest | In the 18th century, the [[French East India Company]] and its other European counterparts employed locally recruited soldiers within India, mainly consisting of infantry designated as "sepoys". The largest sepoy force, trained along European lines, served the [[British East India Company]]<ref>{{cite journal |author=Gerald Bryant |date=1978 |title=Officers of the East India Company's army in the days of Clive and Hastings |journal= The Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History |volume= 6 |issue=3 |pages=203–27 |doi=10.1080/03086537808582508|s2cid=159458449 }}</ref><ref>[[Presidency armies]]</ref> | ||
The term "sepoy" | The term "sepoy" continues in use in the modern [[Indian Army| Indian]], [[Pakistan Army| Pakistan]] and [[Nepalese Army| Nepalese]] armies, where it denotes the rank of [[private (rank)| private]]. | ||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
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In the [[Ottoman Empire]] the term {{lang|ota-Latn|[[sipahi]]}} was used to refer to cavalrymen.<ref name="Philip Mason, 1974">{{cite book |title=A Matter of Honour |last=Mason |first=Philip |year=1974 |publisher=Holt, Rhinehart & Winston |location=London |isbn=0-03-012911-7 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/matterofhonour0000maso }}</ref> | In the [[Ottoman Empire]] the term {{lang|ota-Latn|[[sipahi]]}} was used to refer to cavalrymen.<ref name="Philip Mason, 1974">{{cite book |title=A Matter of Honour |last=Mason |first=Philip |year=1974 |publisher=Holt, Rhinehart & Winston |location=London |isbn=0-03-012911-7 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/matterofhonour0000maso }}</ref> | ||
== | ==History== | ||
The sepoys of the Mughal Empire were infantrymen usually armed with a musket and a [[talwar]], although they sometimes operated artillery pieces and even [[rocket]]s. They wore the | The sepoys of the Mughal Empire were infantrymen usually armed with a musket and a [[talwar]], although they sometimes operated artillery pieces and even [[rocket]]s. They wore the colours of the "Great Moghul" and sometimes used [[war elephant]]s for transport. | ||
The [[French East India Company]] was the first to employ locally | The [[French East India Company]] was the first to employ locally recruited sepoys during the [[Carnatic Wars]]. Soon other European powers did the same, to protect their interests. | ||
In its most common application, ''sepoy'' was the term used in the [[British Indian Army]] and, earlier, in the army of the British [[East India Company]], for an [[infantry]] [[private (rank)|private]]. A cavalry trooper was a {{lang|hi-Latn|[[sowar]]}}. | In its most common application, ''sepoy'' was the term used in the [[British Indian Army]] and, earlier, in the army of the British [[East India Company]], for an [[infantry]] [[private (rank)|private]]. A cavalry trooper was a {{lang|hi-Latn|[[sowar]]}}. | ||
===Historical usage=== | ===Historical usage=== | ||
The term ''sepoy'' came into common use in the forces of the British East India Company in the eighteenth century, where it was one of a number of names, such as ''peons'', ''[[Gentoo (term)|gentoos]]'', ''mestees'' and ''[[topass]]es'', used for various categories of native soldier. Initially it referred to Hindu or Muslim soldiers without regular uniforms or discipline. It later generically referred to all native soldiers in the service of the European powers in India.<ref name="Philip Mason, 1974"/> Close to ninety-six percent of the British East India Company's army of 300,000 men were native to India and these sepoys played a crucial role in securing the subcontinent for the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h38sep.htm |title=India's Sepoy Mutiny |publisher=Fsmitha.com |access-date= | The term ''sepoy'' came into common use in the forces of the British East India Company in the eighteenth century, where it was one of a number of names, such as ''peons'', ''[[Gentoo (term)|gentoos]]'', ''mestees'' and ''[[topass]]es'', used for various categories of native soldier. Initially it referred to Hindu or Muslim soldiers without regular uniforms or discipline. It later generically referred to all native soldiers in the service of the European powers in India.<ref name="Philip Mason, 1974"/> Close to ninety-six percent of the British East India Company's army of 300,000 men were native to India and these sepoys played a crucial role in securing the subcontinent for the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h38sep.htm |title=India's Sepoy Mutiny |publisher=Fsmitha.com |access-date=2013-09-24}}</ref> | ||
==Equipment== | ==Equipment== | ||
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===Sepoys in British service=== | ===Sepoys in British service=== | ||
<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px"> | <gallery widths="200px" heights="200px"> | ||
Sepoy of the Indian Infantry, 1900 (c)..jpg|Sepoy of the British Indian infantry, circa 1900 | Two miniatures. ‘Kala with Saber Drawn’ and ‘Kala in Uniform’.jpg|Kala, the Sepoy, with Saber Drawn and in Uniform. Two miniatures from the [[Fraser Album]]. Delhi, 1815-1816. [[The David Collection]] | ||
Sepoy of the Indian Infantry, 1900 (c)..jpg|Sepoy of the British Indian infantry, circa 1900. | |||
Awan Sepoy (30th Punjabis).jpg|An early 20th century sepoy in the [[British Indian Army]], wearing a [[kurta]]. | Awan Sepoy (30th Punjabis).jpg|An early 20th century sepoy in the [[British Indian Army]], wearing a [[kurta]]. | ||
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The [[British East India Company|East India Company]] initially recruited sepoys from the local communities in the [[Madras Presidency|Madras]] and [[Bombay Presidency|Bombay Presidencies]]. The emphasis here favored tall and soldierly recruits, broadly defined as being "of a proper caste and of sufficient size".<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> In the Bengal Army however, recruitment was only amongst high caste [[Brahmin]] and [[Rajput]] communities, mainly from the present day [[Uttar Pradesh]] and [[Bihar]] regions. Recruitment was undertaken locally by battalions or regiments often from the same community, village and even family. The commanding officer of a battalion became a form of substitute for the village chief or ''gaon bura''. He was the ''mai-baap'' or the "father and mother" of the sepoys making up the ''paltan'' (from "platoon"). There were many family and community ties amongst the troops and numerous instances where family members enlisted in the same battalion or regiment. The ''izzat'' ("honour") of the unit was represented by the [[regimental colours]]; the new sepoy having to swear an oath in front of them on enlistment. These colours were stored in honour in the [[quarter guard]] and frequently paraded before the men. They formed a rallying point in battle. The oath of fealty by the sepoy was given to the East India Company and included a pledge of faithfulness to the salt that one has eaten.<ref name="Philip Mason, 1974"/> | The [[British East India Company|East India Company]] initially recruited sepoys from the local communities in the [[Madras Presidency|Madras]] and [[Bombay Presidency|Bombay Presidencies]]. The emphasis here favored tall and soldierly recruits, broadly defined as being "of a proper caste and of sufficient size".<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> In the Bengal Army however, recruitment was only amongst high caste [[Brahmin]] and [[Rajput]] communities, mainly from the present day [[Uttar Pradesh]] and [[Bihar]] regions. Recruitment was undertaken locally by battalions or regiments often from the same community, village and even family. The commanding officer of a battalion became a form of substitute for the village chief or ''gaon bura''. He was the ''mai-baap'' or the "father and mother" of the sepoys making up the ''paltan'' (from "platoon"). There were many family and community ties amongst the troops and numerous instances where family members enlisted in the same battalion or regiment. The ''izzat'' ("honour") of the unit was represented by the [[regimental colours]]; the new sepoy having to swear an oath in front of them on enlistment. These colours were stored in honour in the [[quarter guard]] and frequently paraded before the men. They formed a rallying point in battle. The oath of fealty by the sepoy was given to the East India Company and included a pledge of faithfulness to the salt that one has eaten.<ref name="Philip Mason, 1974"/> | ||
The salary of the sepoys employed by the East India Company, while not substantially greater than that paid by the rulers of Indian states, was usually paid regularly. Advances could be given and family allotments from pay due were permitted when the troops served abroad. There was a | The salary of the sepoys employed by the East India Company, while not substantially greater than that paid by the rulers of Indian states, was usually paid regularly. Advances could be given and family allotments from pay due were permitted when the troops served abroad. There was a [[commissariat]] and regular rations were provided. Weapons, clothing and ammunition were provided centrally, in contrast to the soldiers of local kings whose pay was often in arrears. In addition local rulers usually expected their sepoys to arm themselves and to sustain themselves through plunder.<ref name="Philip Mason, 1974"/> | ||
This combination of factors led to the development of a sense of shared honour and ethos amongst the well drilled and disciplined Indian soldiery who formed the key to the success of European feats of arms in India and abroad.<ref name="Philip Mason, 1974"/> | This combination of factors led to the development of a sense of shared honour and ethos amongst the well drilled and disciplined Indian soldiery who formed the key to the success of European feats of arms in India and abroad.<ref name="Philip Mason, 1974"/> | ||
Following the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]] the surviving East India Company regiments were merged into a new Indian Army under the direct control of the British Crown. The designation of "sepoy" was retained for Indian soldiers below the rank of [[lance naik]], except in cavalry where the equivalent ranks were ''sowar'' or "trooper". | Following the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]] the surviving East India Company regiments were merged into a new Indian Army under the direct control of the British Crown. The designation of "sepoy" was retained for Indian soldiers below the rank of [[lance naik]], except in cavalry where the equivalent ranks were ''sowar'' or "trooper". | ||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
!Presidency | |||
!Salary In Rupees (1760s) | |||
|- | |||
|Bengal | |||
|6<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Pay, Allowances and Pension|url=http://lib.unipune.ac.in:8080/xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/3669/09_chapter%203.pdf?sequence=9&isAllowed=y|url-status=live|archive-url=}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
|Bombay | |||
|7<ref name=":0" /> | |||
|- | |||
|Madras | |||
|7<ref name=":0" /> | |||
|} | |||
===Sepoys in French service=== | ===Sepoys in French service=== | ||
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* [[Sowar]], meaning "the one who rides" in Persian, was originally a rank during the Mughal period. | * [[Sowar]], meaning "the one who rides" in Persian, was originally a rank during the Mughal period. | ||
* [[Lascar]], Indian sailors in European service | * [[Lascar]], Indian sailors in European service | ||
* [[Askari]] African troops in service to colonial powers similar to the Sepoys. | * [[Askari]], African troops in service to colonial powers similar to the Sepoys. | ||
* [[Sepah]], the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] of Iran | * [[Sepah]], the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] of Iran | ||
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{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Military of the Mughal Empire]] | |||
[[Category:Colonial troops]] | [[Category:Colonial troops]] | ||
[[Category:Military ranks of British India]] | [[Category:Military ranks of British India]] | ||
[[Category:Military ranks of the Indian Army]] | [[Category:Military ranks of the Indian Army]] | ||
[[Category:Military ranks of Pakistan]] | [[Category:Military ranks of Pakistan]] | ||