Armies of the East India Company 1750–1850 (Men-at-Arms)

contrary To Popular Belief, The Capture Of India Was Not Accomplished By The British Army, But By The Private Armies Of The East India Company, Whose Primary Objective Was The Protection Of Their Trading Empire. Under The Leadership Of The Legendary Robert Clive (founder Of The East India Company) And Stringer Lawrence, This Small Force Of Mercenaries And Adventurers Grew In Size And Strength To Eventually Become An Army Larger Than That Of Any European Sovereign State. Highly Disciplined And Professional, It Fought Almost Continuously For A Century Until The Great Mutiny Of 1857 Led To Its Disbandment And Its Troops Passed Into Crown Service. One Of The Many British Army Officers Who Fought With This Force Was Arthur Wellesley, The Future Duke Of Wellington. This Is The Fascinating History Of The East India Company Army, Examining The Many Conflicts In Which They Fought, And Their Equipment And Training, With Its Regiments Of Horse, Foot And Guns, Which Rivalled Those Of Most European Powers. The Exotic Uniforms Combining Traditional Indian And British Dress Are Illustrated In Detail And Make For A Wonderfully Colorful Account Of A Private Band Of Adventurers That Successfully Captured The Jewel Of The British Empire. Contrary to popular belief, the capture of India was not accomplished by the British Army, but by the private armies of the East India Company, which grew in size to become larger than that of any European sovereign state. This is the history of its army, examining the many conflicts they fought, their equipment and training, with its regiments of horse, foot and guns, which rivalled those of most European powers. The development of their uniforms, which combined traditional Indian and British dress, is illustrated in detail in this colourful account of the private band of adventurers that successfully captured the jewel of the British Empire. "The forces of the East India Company were unique. Although the private army of a commercial organization, by the turn of the 19th century 'John Company' had a strong and disciplined army, larger than those of most European states. It greatly outnumbered the regular British Army in India, and was chiefly responsible for establishing British control over the sub-continent. This book outlines the birth and growth of the armies of Madras, Bengal and Bombay, and the development of their exotic uniforms is examined in detail, with stunning original plates covering both European and Indian regiments."--Jacket Contrary to popular belief, the capture of India was not accomplished by the British Army, but by the private armies of the East India Company, which grew in size to become larger than that of any European sovereign state. This book offers a history of this army, examining the many conflicts they fought, and their equipment and training.