Osprey Men-at-Arms 268 : The British Troops in the Indian Mutiny 1857-1859

Fourteen months after the Peace of Paris concluded the Crimean War, the British Army was faced with a crisis which would require an even greater commitment of force. In 1857 simmering discontent broke out into open rebellion by the Army of Bengal. Putting down the Indian Mutiny would require two years, over half the British Army, and thousands of East India Company (EIC) and loyal locals. The EIC's forces' better and more experienced command structure and superior rifle-fire prevailed against the massed ranks of sepoys and their allies. The three major operations that were undertaken by the British are detailed, as is the dress, equipment and uniforms of the troops with detailed illustrated descriptions of East India Company, Queen's, and locally raised corps. Text by Michael Barthorp with illustrations by Douglas Anderson.

Contents

• Introduction
• Outline of Operations
• Chronology
• The Opposing Armies
  Rebel Forces
  East India Company (EIC) Forces
  Tactics
  
• Dress, Equipment and Weapons
  Queen's Troops
  Loyal EIC Troops
  Accoutrements
  Weapons
  
• Dress on Service
  Summary
  
• Conclusion
• The Plates