Osprey Men-at-Arms 421 : The Sikh Army 1799-1849

The beginning of the 19th century saw the rise of a remarkable Sikh leader in the Punjab province of north-west India. Unifying the feudal rulers under his authority, the conquering Maharaja Ranjit Singh pursued campaigns of expansion for nearly 40 years, creating for the purpose a new regular army on the Western model. His death in 1839 found the frontiers of Sikh and British power in confrontation; and in the 1840s the inevitable trial of strength brought the British Crown and East India Company troops into battle against the most formidable Indian army they ever faced. Sikh Army's story is told here in fascinating detail, illustrated with rare early paintings and with colourful reconstructions of Punjabi regular soldiers and feudal warriors. Text by Ian Heath with illustrations by Michael Perry.

Contents

• The Sikh Khalsa Army
• The Lion of Lahore - Ranjit Singh and the Creation of the Fauj-i-Ain Regulars
• Political Unrest and Intrigue Following Ranjit's Death 1839
  - Weakening of Army Discipline
  - Consequences of British Defeat in the Afghan War and Annexation of Scinde
• Outbreak and Campaigns of First Sikh War 1845-46
• Second Sikh War 1848-49
• Sikh Regular Infantry
• Irregular Infantry
• Cavalry - Regular Regiments
• Artillery