THIRD BATTALION THE RIFLES Waffadar Paltan

*** Volume I 1818-1920

THIRD BATTALION THE RAJPUTANA RIFLES Waffadar Paltan *** Volume I 1818-1920

Colonel Dr Narendar Singh, Ph.D

Foreword by Gen (Dr) Vijay Kumar Singh PVSM, AVSM, YSM (Retd.)

PENTAGON PRESS LLP Third Battalion: The Rajputana Rifles – ‘Waffadar Paltan’ Dr Narendar Singh, Ph.D

ISBN 978-93-86618-

First Published in 2019

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Contents

Foreword xvii From the Tiger’s Desk xix Acknowledgements xxi Preface xxiii Chronological Table xxvii Abbreviations xxix 1 Background to Raising of the Army by the English in 1 Name ‘India’ and ‘Native’ – Soldiers referred as sipahi or – Pervasive presence of the military within the decision-making process – Military is at the centre of Indian History – Bombay Gifted to English as Settlement- Sir Abraham Shipman permitted to raise a force of 400 men – First Mention of 150 Indian Troops Recruited – Bombay rented to The – Seat of government of the Presidency was trans- ferred from Surat to Bombay – Three chief fortified positions: The Island of Bombay, Fort St. George at Madras and Fort William at Calcutta – The three presidencies effec- tively independent of each other – Unsuccessful expedition against Gheriah – Regi- ment from Bombay sent to Fort St. David – Native Infantry Battalions organised along similar lines to the British Battalions – Formation of Grenadier Companies – 120 Protestant recruits and a complete company of Swiss soldiers under Captain de Zeigler- Reorganization of – The royal troops stationed in each Presi- dency enjoyed generally inferior conditions – Tension and jealousies amongst Royal Troops and Company Officers – “Battle of Colachel,” Defeat of Dutch – Early officers were soldiers of fortune and discontent was mainly over salary and prize money 16 – Major Shinger Lawrence; “The Father of the ,” – Sepoys had their own officers called – King’s Commissioned Officer took precedence over a Company’s Officer – Arrival of the first Royal Troops – Bombay got its ‘Lal Pultan’ and its first Sepoy Companies in 1760 – Major William Fraser recommended an establish- ment of 1500 sepoys – Introduction of Complete Set of Order’s – Indian Sepoys sent out of country – Discontent of the Company’s officers emerged – Governor of the became Governor--Lieutenant Colonel commanding the battalion was responsible for the recruitment and maintenance of discipline – involved in Maratha Politics – Married Indian women or kept them as mistresses – Banjaras employed to provide transport – Army Re-organisation of 1796 – Military College established at Baraset – An oath of fidelity was administered to each recruit in the presence of the ‘Regimental Colours’ – Regimental System was Intro- duced – The Expeditionary Force to Egypt included sepoys from Bombay Army – Presidency Armies developed individuality, form and character – Uniform and equip- 8 3rd Battalion: The Rajputana Rifles

ment of the British line was copied without much consideration for climatic suitability – East India Company Military Seminary at Addiscombe – Soldiers Armed with Brown Bess Musket with Bayonet 2 Birth of the Regiment 32 Maratha War’s – Infantryman or a ‘pyada’ – Augmentation was dated to 1 January to commemorate the memorable defence, on that day, of the village Koregoan – Uniform of the new Regiment should be “dark green facings, gold epaulets and yellow buttons” – Battalion consisted of ten companies. Two of these, the Grenadier Company and the Light Companies, paraded on the right and left of the line respectively – Assemblage of men from all the parts of the country, mainly Konkan – Lieutenant Colonel J. Cunningham, from Poona Auxiliary Horse appointed first Commandant – The ‘Purabiyas’ – The Mahrattas – Fraush, Bhils and Kolis from – Jews – Muslims – Purwarries – Pardesis – Instance of insubordination or disaffection in a corps never heard of – Incentive for acquiring adequate knowledge Hindustani and Mahratta– Physical exercises – Government issued a notice that passports were necessary for all Europeans – Ban on Smoking – The Hoondie System – Scarcity of Officers Presiden- cies Armies – Prelude to Subalterns Commanding Companies – Presentation of Colours by Lady Nightinghall, wife of General Sir Miles Nightingall Commander-in-Chief 38 – Amusements in The Regiment – November 6th, 1818, Mr. Elphinstone hosted a dinner at Poona – Pindari – Thugs in and around Bombay 41 – First action at Pritchetgad on 10 May 1818 – Native armies of those days were of huge dimensions, dragging in their train ten times the number of the fighting men in the shape of followers, and constituting a series of moving bazars – Safety of the ‘zenana’ would be more important than defeating enemy – The Difference between rank in the Regiment and Rank in the Army (Sale of Commissions) – Promotion to the Rank of Captain 46 – Appoint- ment of Subedars and Syrang Major – Officer’s Borrowing Money – Recruitment from Immediate Vicinity – Establishment of Military Stations‘Kucha’ and ‘Pukka’ – Poona 1819 – Boundaries of Poona Cantonment settled by Colonel Gifford – Satara 1820 – Murder of The Rajah of Kolhapur 1821 – Foiled attempt of the prisoners to effect general escape from Satara Goal – Release of Batta to Native Troops – Private Commercial Transaction in The Army Prohibited – East India Company was extremely wary of allowing any increase in the number of European women in India – The Commanding Officer had eighteen servants – The Bibi’s 3 Expansion of the Empire: Gujarat 1823–35 62 Surat January 1823 – Suvali or Swally Port – British Customs at Swally – Journey from Suvali to Surat – Surat flourishing centre for ship building Centre – The Maharaja Gaikwad of Baroda the third ranking prince in India – Maharaja of Baroda ceded to the British in Saurashtra and Mahi Kantha – Baroda October 1824 – Honourable Governor-General-in-Council had complaints on the Character of some of the Staff officers – Regiment Reviewed by Wilson on 19th January 1824 – New Organization of the Indian Army and Renumbering of Regiments 1824 – Drummers and Fifers were only to be Europeans or half castes – Regiment of artillery, battalion of foot artillery, the Corps of Golandanze, and each regiment of Cavalry to have same number of officers as Infantry Regiment – Officers up to the Rank of Major on Regi- mental lists for Promotion – Every Officer in the actual Command is to receive 400 rupees per month in addition to his other allowances – Each battalion to Constitute a Regiment – Dress Infantry Regiments – Lieutenant Colonel Brackley Kennet appointed Contents 9

Commandant – British Cavalry to follow silladar system – No caste was excluded from enlistment – Native officers Lost Power – Native officers Lost Power – Move from Surat to Baroda – Pay and Allowances – Collection of ‘jamabandi’, ‘ghásdána’ and kamávisdáris – Bacha Jamadar and Resistance of Kolis – Mehavasi villages up in arms plundering over nearly whole of Mahi Kantha – British Political Agent was appointed for Mahi Kantha attached to Baroda Residency – Regiment suffered heavy losses in Operations and moved out prematurely – 22nd Regiment at Vengurla – Buasaheb Raja of Kolhapur and Baby Elephant – Demand to the rights of Forts of Kolhapur, Panhala, Pavangad – Move to Kutch December 1927 – Regiment found Palanwadia Kalis of North Gujarat ‘untameable plunderers’- Driving out Sind plunderers from Haba Hills, eighteen miles North of Bhuj – Action against Thugee and Brigands of earlier Pindari – Intrigues in the Region NO peace or stability – Smallpox Epidemic – Headquarters’ of the Northern Districts moved to Hursole from Kaira – 7th and 8th Companies of the Regiment Reduced – Command of Detachments – Trouble in Sind – Disturbances in State of Idar and move of Regiment to Ahmedabad – Disturbances in State of Baroda– – A Pundit and a Maulvi Added to Every Regiment – Redress of Grievances – “Northern Division of the Army” – Change in the Military Uniform – Profits arising from regimental canteens appropriated in variance with the intention of the institu- tion – Alterations and Reductions in the Army Establishments – Charges being pre- ferred before court martials inferior to general, for crimes involving capital punishment 4 Stay at Belgaum 96 Camp equipage was carried by various means to Belgaum – Difficult to Move in For- mations – Saranjam – Kittur Desai Shivalingarudra Sarja helped British against Peshwa – British, refused to accept Kittur Desai Shivalingarudra Sarja – Revolt by Rdyappa 1829 – Issues of Appa Saheb of Nipani – Detachment sent to Malegaon under com- mand of Captain Lockyer W. Hart to quell insurgents – Detachment sent to Malegaon under command of Captain Lockyer W. Hart to quell insurgents – Revolt in Goa – Estate of Chinchani brought under direct British Control – Rajah of Satara put under strict surveillance – Provisioning of Escorts to Civil Officers – Dress of Officers – Introduction of Good Service Pay – “Order of British India;” and “Order of Merit” instituted – Corporal Punishments – Dharam Sabha to counter conversions – Regi- ment Received orders to Move to Bombay September 25th, 1838 – Soldiers Will – Action Against Mir’s of Baluchistan – Talpere Mir’s a Confederacy of Baluchi Chiefs – Britishers ask for permission to move to military stores up Indus River – War Breaks out with Afghanistan – The Regiment Receives Orders to Move to as a Part of Sindh Reserve Force 5 Sindh1 Reserve Force 111 Mir Fateh Ali Khan established himself as “Rais” or ruler of Sind – Raja’s Pagri, or Turban, of superior rule passed in each family to the brother and not to the son – English Factory was established at Tatta in 1775 – Jealousy among the Talpur chiefs permitted interference of British – Sir John Keane, landed at Vikkur – Army of The Indus – Open Rupture between Governor General and Sir Henry Fane Commander- in-Chief – Sir Henry Fane Commander-in-Chief resigned – Army of Indus crossed Indus River at Rohri (Sukkur) – Shah Soojah and his levies moved independently – General Cottons’ Bengal Presidency Army reached Rohri third week of January 1839 – Sir John Keane Marched along the Right bank of Indus – Amir’s of Sindh dissatisfied with British – 22nd arrived Poona 31st December 1838 – 22nd embarks Company’s 10 3rd Battalion: The Rajputana Rifles

Steamers 15 January 1839 – Boats infested with rats – Regiment lands at Hujamry Mouth – Regiment faced difficulties while disembarking – Fort Manora, Karachi cap- tured – Officers to make arrangement for their own camels and tattoos to carry lug- gage – Plundering of Equipment and Baggage Train – Treaty between Amir’s of Hyderabad and British Government – Captain Outram and Lieutenant Eastwick ar- rived at Hyderabad – 22nd Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry left for Tatta – Col- umn harassed by thieves – March to Tatta – Tatta Camp Location pronounced un- healthy – Bombay Army to Stay at Sind – Social status was according to official rank, the women religiously followed the ordering of the list – Spread of Cholera at Tatta 1839 – People of ungrateful, cruel, full of deceit, and stranger to veracity – Regiment ordered to move to Sukkur due ill health – Difficulties of Travelling in Boat on Indus – Approach to Sukkur – The Islet Fort of Bukkur – Sukkur Fort – The Admirable management of Officers Mess – Shifting course of River Indus – Tatta hit by Gale – Orders to march to Malegaon – Recruits of Better Quality started enrolling – Shortage of British officers – Demand for Civil Administration – Officers preferred posting out of Regiments – Resentment against abolishment of Field Allowance – Mutinies 6 Khandesh and Western India 137 Move to Malegaon 1840 – Disturbances by Bhils of Khandesh – Villages Plundered by Bhils – Selling of Children – War and Famine forced Bhils to move to Hills – A detachment of 300 men sent to Dhoolia – Pratapsing, Raja of AmIi in the south Dangs Rebels – Regiment Reviewed by Sir John Fitzgerald – British used Banjaras for Intelligence gathering – British used Banjaras for Intelligence gathering – Treasury Escort – Bhils plundered the Government Treasury at Pimpsluer – Detachment acted against Bhils – Thanks, of the Government were conveyed to Major Hurry Singh – Detachment of 200 men under Command of Captain Joseph Hale, marched to Dholia – Tadvi Bhils, plundered Savda and Yaval – Major Henry Cracklow took over the reins of 22nd Regiment on 19th August 1843 – Band formed in The Regiment – Regiment reached Mhow on 23rd March 1844 – Mhow Fort given to British – Valley of Mandesar – Route used by Opium Carriers – Britishers could overlook the states of Ratlam, Narsingarh, Sailana, Jhabua, Dhar, Gwalior, Sitamau – Detachment at Indore as show of Force – Regiment Mobilized to March towards Gwalior – Gwalior State Forces Refuse to be Demobilized – Field Force under Lieutenant Colonel Carcklow which marched from Mhow to Burhanpur to quell disturbances – Mutinies in British Indian Army – Sind Made province of Bombay Presidency – Major Joseph Hale as- sumed command – Lieutenant MacDonald was selected as A.D.C. to Gen- eral Hughes Commanding the Northern Division Army – Regiment was struck by Cholera one Subedar Major, two Jamadars, one Head Major, eight Naiks, one drum- mer, eighty-nine (89) privates and some 140 followers – Presidency provided a subsid- iary force of company troops, who were commonly stationed in a cantonment near the state capital – Sayajirao II of Baroda died- Celebrating New Year – Ladies at Regimen- tal Ball and New Year at Maharaja’s palace – Safest to Call Everyone General – Island of Bombay had Changed – Colaba Declared Cantonment, became only European Zone – Esplanade only retreat left – Construction of Colaba causeway – Native Troop Accommodation was Kaccha works, self-help at a distance from European areas – Delight of eating mangoes – Gale at Bombay – Ensign’s at Chatham Battalion – Ac- commodation at Chatham Bad – Officers Commissioned in Honourable East India Company’s Army Badly educated Contents 11

7 Sind, Khandesh and Anglo-Persian War 1856–57 157 Regiment back at Sukkur – Families moved by Country Boats – Superior Logistics of – British dependence of persons who supplied animals for logistic sup- port – Establishment of Commissary at Sukkur – Brushes with Tribal – Providing Logistics Up the Indus to Black Mountain Expedition – Sukkur had only two seasons – British Officer Important for maintaining morale – Native Officers ensured task executed in absence of British Officer – Promotion by length of Service led to com- mand by very aged officers – Native Officers too Old for Work – Intimate intercourse between Officers and Men diminished – Stoppage of Batta caused discontentment and resentment – Ensigns Bruere sat on Treasury Chest to ensure its Security – Regi- ment got involved in Regimental Duties – Series of Court martial of Officers Includ- ing Commanding Officer in the Regiment – Malegaon yatra and the Donkey’s Fair – Anglo- Persian War 1856-57 – Governor General directed Force be assembled by Bombay Presidency for Persia – Logistic Support to be Provided by Bombay Presi- dency – Two companies reinforce 20th Regiment of Bombay Native Infantry – Light Company of the Regiment formed part of Light Battalion – Lieutenant Alexander along with mounted troops with Poona Irregular Horse and participated in battle of Khushab – battle of Bushire – Expedition to Mohamrah – Major General Stalker, Commanding the First Division of the Army and Commodore Ethersey, Command of the Indian Navy in the Persian Gulf committed suicide – Persians did not make favourable impression – Persian Army has no Commissariat Department 8 The Indian War of Independence 1857 and 174 Causes for Mutiny – Uncomfortable Dress – Soldiers fed with many rumours – ‘hawa laga’ …. Wind blew – Bengal Presidency Army nearly disappeared, Irregulars in some cases failed – ‘Inam Commission’ – Move to Satara – Rango Bapuji, Raja Pratapsinhji’s political agent returned from London – Rango Bapuji started assembling rebel force – News reached Satara of Mutiny in Central India – Rango Bapuji collected a force of 2000 at Bagarvadi – Both Britishers and Marathas had their sympathisers and spies – Shahaji’s adopted son Venkaji Raje, was also aware of the conspiracy – Rebels surprised at Bhor – Messenger inciting Subedar at Satara Courts – Attack at the Treasury at Pandharpur – Rango Bapuji’s son Sitaram and seventeen rebels caught and executed – Revolt at Berhampur and Barrackpore – Outram had brought the revolting spirit of the Bengali Army to the notice of the Government in a report written on 27 April – Mana Singh caught and handed over – Action taken by 22nd to capture Ring Leaders – Right Honourable the Governor Lord John Elphinstone to the officers and Men pre- sented medals for Persian campaign 1856-57 – Address of Right Honourable the Gov- ernor Lord John Elphinstone Governor in Council Bombay – Peel Commission – British Garrison be Doubled to 80000 men – Reorganization of Cavalry and Infantry Regiments – Cavalry organised on the Silladar system – Cavalry Regiments to have 400 sowars and Infantry Regiments 600 privates – Indian staff corps created – New Recruitment Policy – Review of the Regiment by Major General J Hale – Chinese resentment against Treaty of 1842 – Chinese Policy to Keep British restricted to Hong Kong – Chinese Troops of the Green Standard (Lu Ying) – Chinese Troops of The Eight Banners – Chinese Special Troops – Chinese distinct in all its elements – Prefer- ably Foreigners should not take their wives to China – Differences in outlook on trade, NO silver to go out of China – Opium Mainstay of Trade – Taiping civil war broke out – Qing dynasty faced the Muslim rebellion in Yunnan – Nian movement in the Huaihe region- Britishers supported Chinese Imperial cause- Detachments at Shanghai and 12 3rd Battalion: The Rajputana Rifles

Canton- Advance by Taipings repulsed by A Wing of the Regiment- Major-General Brown proposed to withdraw his force from Shanghai- Intervention by British- Re- quest for Medals Rejected- Regiment faced multiple hardships in China- Mutiny on Board Ship by sailors Carrying 22nd Back – Presidency Staff Corps – Major General Sir Charles Stanley, Commanding Poona Division reviewed the Regiment – Changed Bombay – Regiment Boards Train for Bombay from Poona – Trouble in Abyssinia 1868 – Operations by Indian Army under Command Sir Charles Napier – Presenta- tion of New Colours – Consecration of Colours by Chaplin, Pandit and Maulvi – Sports in Bombay – Polo – Action against Janjira 9 Stay at Baroda and Aden 206 Cardwell Reforms – Narrow Base of Recruitment – East India Company Officers from Lower Strata – Promotion Officers – Introduction of Promotion Exams – Army was source of presence and power of British in India – Neemuch 1870 – Neemuch Village – Regiment Struck with Cholera – Regiment part of the Force assembled at Baroda – Efforts by Malharrao to succeed on throne – Maharani Jamnabai and adop- tion of child – His Royal Highness Prince of Wales arrives at Baroda by Train Novem- ber 1875 – Guard of Honour at Station – His Royal Highness Prince of Wales ride to Cantonment – 22nd lines up for arrival of His Royal Highness Prince of Wales – His Royal Highness Prince of Wales stays at Residency – His Royal Highness Prince of Wales entourage stays in tents- His Royal Highness Prince of Wales pays return visit to Maharaja of Baroda – His Royal Highness Prince of Wales at Shikar in Bullock Cart – The Native officers of the 9th Bombay Native Infantry and of the 22nd Bombay Native Infantry presented His Royal Highness Prince of Wales – Officers Mess of 22nd prepared to receive His Royal Highness Prince of Wales – Regiment Moves to Ahmedabad with a detachment at Sadra – Bombay Haphazard Growth – Pune Can- tonment – Mall Road Essential Feature of cantonments – Move to Belgaum One company located at Kaladurgh – Recommendations for abolition of three Presidency Armies – Commission Recommends Recruitment to be within the area of Presidency – Indian permanent strategic reserve and principle means to secure British Interests – Aden Port – Need for Coaling Stations – Expedition to Aden led Captain Stafford Haines of the Indian Navy – Indian Merchants, clerks at ‘Steamer Point’ – Aden was primarily a Military Out Post – Many Tribal States along Red Sea Coast recognized by British Government – Regiment Embarked for Aden – Arabs Attack Aden May 1882 – Plundering Party beaten back – Private letter describing the Arab Attack – Detach- ment sent withCaptain Stafford Haines of the Indian Navy to quell disturbances – The only tribe gave trouble were the Al Ajud of Radfan range – Regiment Inspected by Major General Sir John Ross, K.C.B at Satara – Regiment tasked to construct lines at Satara – Qualifying periods of Service for Good Conduct Pay – Invalid Period of Service Abolished – The privilege of claiming their discharge after 9 years – Native Regiments Linked in Regiments of Three – Regimental Centre Mhow –Depriving Subedar Major his rank – Active Reserve to be 160 men per Regiment – Musketry – Presidency Armies Abolished and Four Commands Established – Badges of Rank Native Officers – Dress and Pagrees – The Regiment took part in the Celebration parade of the Jubilee of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen and Empress of India – Regi- ment was inspected by H.R.H. Prince Arthur William Patrick The Commander-in- Chief Duke of Connaught Contents 13

10 North West Frontier 230 North West Frontier Province Physical – All roads lead to Quetta – Rivers are all very variable in Volume – Climate varies – Officers’ wives bemoan no provision for woman in Army Regulations – Army Officers Wife behaves like Queen – Officers’ wives ma- nipulated formal and informal military practices to construct an elite and empowered female identity – Officers’ wives identified themselves in terms of their husbands’ ranks. generated a female hierarchy- Officers suitable partner vetted out by Command- ing Officer – At Quetta Colonel’s wife was one-woman marriage bureau – Marriage Allowance not provided till the Officer reached the age of thirty – Wives involved in Husbands Work – British officers believed they possessed military instinct – North- West Frontier Province myth, legend and reality overlap here – First Regiment to be deployed permanently at Pishin – Adherents saw themselves as engaging in a great religious struggle in defence of Islam – Al-Muwahhidun – Pushtun – Government decision to bring tribal belt under control – Tribal had improved armament – Pakhtunwali, imposes on tribesmen three obligations – Afghan be iman, the faithless Afghan – Ut Khel, Mohmand and Afridi rifle thieves – Theft of a service rifle was regarded as a court martial offence – Standard tactic used was to deliver a frontal assault, discharging controlled volleys of rifle fire – Point of honour with the Regiment to never to leave a wounded man behind – Officer’s Heart and Soul of an Enterprise – The English institutionalized this traditional system – based on conciliation of the parties – by means of clear regulations – Manoeuvres around Quetta – Martin Henri Rifles – farewell to Colonel Drummond – Disturbances in Zhob Valley – Quetta – Strategic Location – Quetta itself is not dominated by any one ethnic group – Treaty of 1876, Khan of Kalat’s – British Forcefully took the Quetta Fort 1878 – Musketry Competition – Regiment moves to Ahmedabad – Increase of Pay – Detachment in Cambay to Quell Disturbances – Villagers laid siege to Khambhat – Regiment reorganised internally on ‘caste composition’ – March to Tatta 30th January ‘Regimen- tal Day’ – Report Inspector of Gymnasium – Regiment acted as Enemy Forces in manoeuvres – Regiment re-organised on ‘Class Composition’ – The Regimental Cen- tre of the Regiment was relocated at Mhow – Pay increased by Rupees 2 – Regimental order was issued to that effect that Gujjars and Mer’s classes in the Regiment are pro- hibited from using the suffix Singh – Bubonic Plague attack in Bombay – Introduc- tion of New Pattern of Coat – Regiment was immediately put into Quarantine at Karachi – Proposed Railway – Outbreak of violence due Durand Mission – The Mullahs of Afghanistan called for Jihad – Russian involvement in Central Asia – Regiment Won the Quetta Cup – Regiment embarked for Hong Kong from Calcutta 11 China 1900 264 Lieutenant Hutchinson and Lieutenant Rudin attached to Hongkong Regiment – Hongkong Physical – Acquisition of Hong Kong was an act of political and commer- cial necessity – Hongkong Harbour is Natural Harbour – Appearance of Hongkong is very imposing – The Hongkong garrison has all branches of the service except cavalry – First line of defence of Hongkong is the fleet – Life at Hongkong – The Boxers – Boxers Rebellion outcome of cession of Kiao-chou – Boxers Strength Increased – Box- ers confined operations to Shan-tung, but it spread in the southern part of Chih-li – 22nd Bombay Infantry moved to Taku – British Attack at Hsi-ku Arsenal Repulsed – 22nd Successfully linked with Tienstien – Factor of efficiency of 22nd Bombay Infantry is the excellence of its British and Native officers – 22nd is loyal to the core – loyal to their officers – Move of Allied Expeditionary Force – False tales of Chinese Bravery – 14 3rd Battalion: The Rajputana Rifles

Triad Society – Column moved on boats at short notice – Description of Harbour – Column reaches the mouth of the Samchun River – Column Reached First Camping Ground – Reconnoitring of Surroundings – Admiral Ho with his troops moved out – Patrolling and show of Force – Firing from the immediate neighbourhood of Samchun – Samchun and the neighbouring villages had been ushering it in in the usual Celestial fashion with much burning of crackers and exploding of bombs – Major E. A. Kettlewell decided to visit Samchun – Two companies sent with police to quell rebels – Towns captured by Scouts under Subedar Khitab Gul – Changes in Regimental System – Lord Kitchener, who assumed the Commander-in-Chiefship in November 1902 – Defence of the north-west frontier primary concern – Redeployment of Army to take advantage of Railways – Kitchener’s Reforms – New Designations and Numbers of all units of Indian Army – Four great principles were enunciated in the proposals – Linked Regiments – The abolition of the military department and the military member of council – The troops were localized in the new commands – System of four commands – Order authorizing distinction ‘China’ – Coronation Durbar 1903 – Hockey – Scene at Hockey Ground – Somalian Campaign – Jihad under the aegis of the Salihiyya order – Mounted Infantry Section 12 Gujarat and North-West Frontier 297 Need for Officers – Social Life of a Bachelor Officer – Officer Usually Married daugh- ter of a fellow Officer – The cheap and readily available drink of India proved to be the undoing of several officers – Unusual tension amongst British Officers – British Offic- ers Toured Recruiting Areas to understand customs – Officers participated in sports with men – Focus on training in mountain warfare – Farewell Note of Colonel Baillie – Excelling in Musketry – Holkar Challenge Cup – Detachment of Number 3 and 4 Double Companies under Major W Ayeral and Lieutenant R. F.S. Beyts proceed to Bhuj – Pension Bone of Contention – Board Member desired that a bye-law be en- acted on pension – Pension Funds – Military, Medical and Navy funds closed in 1861 – Regular Widows’ Fund and the Elders’ (formerly extra) Widows’ Fund – Grants and Rewards of lands – Retirement Subedar Major Hyem Benjamin – People Around You take You to the Top – Subedar Major Hyem Benjamin final moments with the Regi- ment – Pay – Back to Zhob Valley – Fort Sandeman and Loralai – Zhob Valley Physi- cal – Zhob Valley has Male Dominated Society – Tribes ready for Jihad – Subedar Faiz Ali Khan proceeded to England to attend the Home Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary – Frontier campaign has some special feature which stands out con- spicuously from all others – Offensive action the key – Physical Fitness must – Move Under Fire – Operations By Regiment Against Tribals – Aggressive Patrolling in the Area – congratulates Naik Kesha Rawat and your Regiment on his getting 2nd Class – Ambush by Tribal of the Party in River Dhana – “Short Magazine Lee-Enfield” received by Regiment – Recruitment area for Recruiting ’s extended to whole of Rajputana 13 The Great War 1914 320 First Shot Fired in Africa – Conflict Between Empires – Mobilization by Ottoman Empire – Ottoman Empire proclaimed Jihad – Mesopotamia – 16th Indian Brigade faced stiff opposition at Bahrain – British landings at Fao, in the Vilayet of Basra 6 November 1914 – 16th Brigade sailed Northward to the Shatt al-Arab on Declaration of War – Capture of Basra a Major Success – Second Brigade (18th) Sent to Mesopotamia – Desert Turned into a veritable sea of Mud 17 November 1914 – Ottoman Sultan Contents 15

calls for Jihad against Britishers – Qurna (the legendary garden of Eden) at the con- junction of Euphrates and Tigris captured on 11 December 1914 – Ottoman Forces included irregular forces and local tribes – Suleyman Askeri, Governor of Baghdad committed suicide – British made no headway at Battle of Ctesiphon on 22 November 1915; General Townshead decided to retreat to town of Kut al-Amara – Major C. C. Heckie with double Company from 122nd joined 125th Napier’s Rifle which landed in Mesopotamia from France – General Townsheadsurrendered – Hurried improvisation of temporary Brigades, Divisions, etc showed inherent weakness – Regiment located at Kohat – Reservists called up; very large invalid for embodiment – Regiment Com- menced Recruitment able to feed 3489 soldiers for active service – Training Never allowed to stagnate – Regiment moved to Thal as part of 65 Infantry Brigade – Monu- ment at Samana of Battle of Saragarhi – Double Company (I and J Companies) under command Captain R H Stable left for Mesopotamia to reinforce the 28th Punjabis – Move up the Tigris in Boats – Double Company groped a tedious way along the sinuous Tigris – Double Company at Sannaiyat under Stable – Unable to use their rifles, which had become choked with mudwhile crossing the flooded trenches – 19th Infantry Brigade moved back – British Failed to Establish pontoon Bridges – 28th(Piffer) Brigade ferried across Tigris, half-a-mile below Bawi – Regiment entrained at Kohat on the North-West Frontier for Keamari – Depot in India and the Regiment was called upon for reinforcement for other units – Battle of Shawa Khan March 1917 – the advance appeared to get stalled Subedar Dalla Rawat true to the traditions of the battalion, rallied the men, and led the advance – A gale and blinding dust storm hit the company – 122nd Double Company to lead the column for march into Baghdad in recognition of the gallantry, the day before – State of Anarchy and destruction in Baghdad – Battle of Istabult – Orders given to the company of 122nd was ‘to draw fire and withdraw at their own discretion’ – Subedar Mada Rawat although severely wounded by shrapnel, he continued to give directions and command the company – Turkish Defence Dujail Canal to the Baghdad-Samarrah Railway – Turk’s left and left centre were selected as the point of attack – Attack launched and Double held on despite repeated counter attacks – Regiment Detachments spread from Basra to the extremity where operations were being carried out – Regiment operations on the Euphrates were of punitive nature – Mirage and Mobility – Involved in getting logistic built up – 2nd Lieutenant J.S.B. Forde took four months to reach from India to Regiment in Mesopotamia – Preparations to Clear Hai Salient – One Company of Gujars sent to 2nd Battalion 154th Infantry being raised for operations in Palestine – Captain R. H. Stable awarded Distinguished Service Order – Lieutenant Colonel P.C.R. Barclay ap- pointed Commandant – Very High Sickness in 122nd Regiment 14 Part of British North Persian Force 345 British Force at Baku evacuated town – Anglo-Russian antagonism – British-Russian policy to oppose the Maximalist movement – Transcaucasia had been famous for its natural resources – Unrest in Persia – More troops required to hold Karmanshah– Hamadan–Kasvin to protect British influence in North Persia – Operations of Russian General Denikin – Collapse of Germany brought Change in British Policy in Siberia and North Russia – Two full Divisions ordered for Transcaucasia – Churchill’s work at the War Office was dominated by the Civil War in Russia – Regiment was tasked to move across the Caspian Sea and occupy Baku – Rie thieves at Surkhidizeh – Armed robbers roamed from hill to plain and back again, holding up and looting passing caravans – Regiment marched through twelve miles of mud to Harunabad – Mahidast 16 3rd Battalion: The Rajputana Rifles

– Regiment at Kermanshah – Regiment won Inaugural Championship Shield of Mesopotamia in Hockey – Regiment moved to Hamadan – Regiment was to garrison number of towns and quell the uprising of the Azerbaijan’ – Regiment stopped the invasion and fought the Bolsheviks at Menzil – 122nd Rajputana Infantry took up defences in the area of Rustamanbad between Rudba and Neglobar – The Ranghar Company under Lieutenant A.A. Russell was sent out to reconnoitre (IN FORCE), attacked enemy and forced to withdraw – Regiment as Advanced Guard of the Force – Gujar Company under Lieutenant M P O’Leary attacked the enemy from the position to clear the route of advance. M P O’Leary awarded the Military Cross – Battle Honours – Men Decorated during the period 1914-1920 – India Gate (Memorial Archway) – Names of 4 officers and 153 all ranks of 122nd Rajputana infantry are inscribed on India Gate Bibliography 366 Index

18 3rd Battalion: The Rajputana Rifles

Acknowledgments

First, thanks to my family for having the patience with me for having taken yet another challenge which decreases the amount of time I can spend with them. Specially Beena, my wife, for standing beside me throughout my career; has taken a big part of that sacrifice, and who gives encouragement in her own way. She has been my inspiration and motivation for continuing to improve my knowledge and move my career forward. She is my rock. I also thank my wonderful children: Ravi, Tarun, Tapasya and Veena, for always making me smile. I wish to specially thank wonderful grand-children Sankalp and Sanskriti but for them no project is possible, without their never-failing sympathy and encouragement this book would have been finished in half the time. My parents, who are not here to see, forged my personality and share credit on every goal I achieve. I would like to thank in laws, who also are not there to see the work for always encouraging me and sharing their thoughts. I thank each man of the “Waffadar Paltan” who have been with our familyfor over seven decades. Jain Narian said, “Why don’t you make something for me?” Many joined him. I looked perplexed and asked him what he wanted, and he said, “A box.” “What for?” “To put things in.” “What kind of things?” “Whatever you have,” they said. It took me time to understand them. Well, here’s their box. Nearly everything I have is in it, and it is not full. Pain and excitement are in it, feeling good or bad, evil thoughts and good thoughts- the pleasure of design and some despair and the indescribable joy of being there amongst you. How right was Right Honourable B. Disraeli when he said, “Every village has its hero, and every fireside has its story.” There is so much more which has yet to see the light of the day. And on top of these are all the gratitude and love I have for you. Still the box is not full. I dedicate this to each one of you. 22 3rd Battalion: The Rajputana Rifles

I would like to place on record my gratitude to Colonel Kartikay, Commanding Officer and his team of Punit, Lalit, Deepak and all others to have patiently seen the proofs and provided what ever was available as record. I would like to thank Mr Rajan Arya and his team especially Beena Jafri and Virender Kumar Negi at Pentagon Press for having patience in preparation of this book.

Colonel Dr Narendar Singh Preface

From a DREAM … Everything starts with an idea or concept in your mind. To a DRAWING… The dream is put down on paper To a REALITY... The construction begins

The story of 3rd Battalion the Rajputana Rifles possesses a peculiar fascination for all classes of readers. It is a narration of incidents of the most varied character. It appeals alike to sympathetic qualities of the heart and the colder calculations of the brain. The story lays bare the defects, while it also indicates the trusting and faithful nature of the men. The impressionable qualities of character, which formed alike the strength and weaknesses of the men who down the ages have been part of this great Battalion. It is these qualities that set, the battalion apart. The period, spanning across 200 years, was not practicably possible to narrate in a single book. Hence, it has been conveniently divided in two volumes. Volume 1: The first 100 years (1818–1920) period when the Battalion was an Infantry Battalion. Volume 2: The next 100 years (1921–2018) as a RiflesRegiment. Regimental histories vary in their accounts, while some provide the service and exploits of officers, others provide historical records of events, and some just narrate events or exploits. Thus,Regimental histories, not unnaturally, record regimental success and tend to gloss over any shortcomings. Campaign histories inevitably concentrate upon the highlights rather than the monotonous daily round of service. Whilst it is not uncommon for generals to publish their memoirs, those written by regimental officers are much less common. While narrating the story of the battalion not enough record is there to fall back on.No history exists of the military forces of the Bombay Establishment1of 24 3rd Battalion: The Rajputana Rifles the “Honorable East India Company,” and although the material for such history is probably to be found in the India Office, no attempt has ever been made to collect the various pieces of puzzle and put them into an intelligible and useful shape. The historical facts admit of practically no question; but, whatever may be said of the value of any deductions or opinions drawn from them by a writer of modest experience, the regimental officer, writing for junior officers has one line of defence— a la the Lines of Torres Vedra,behind which he can retreat when hard pressed—and that he is more in touch with the needs, the doubts, the difficulties, and the aspirations of his contemporaries than those who are much their seniors. The book grew out of my efforts to put on record the actions of this great battalion in the last 200 years. There are many yarns, but those have little record to fall on. I wanted everyone to understand that, while some pieces are worth reading in themselves, these were not written in a vacuum. I wanted to show that events are inspired by social conditions, shaped by historical circumstances, and influenced by other writers. In this volume I intend to trace the immense effort, the violent and destructive struggles, periods of crisis, and clashes of cultures, often by the most devious routes, How right is Durrant who in his book The Case for Indiawrites:2 The British Conquest of India was the invasion and destruction of high civilization by a trading company [British East India Company] utterly without scruple or principle, careless of art and greedy of gain, over-running with fire and word a country temporarily disordered and helpless, bribing and murdering, annexing and stealing, and beginning that career of illegal and legal plunder which has now gone on ruthlessly for one hundred and seventy- three years. The story of the battalion is drawn from War Diaries, letters home from the men, taken from unit Part II Orders, army lists, gazettes, etc. The orders are the administrative directives concerning the movement of personnel into and out of a unit for various reasons, such as leave, hospitalization and transfer to and from another unit, as well as changes in financial or ration allowances, or punishments awarded for service offences. The letters home from Indian soldiers were censored on a regimental basis in the same way as those of British soldiers. In addition, however, the mail from Indian soldiers was subjected to a second level of censorship. This was imposed originally because of concerns, not altogether unfounded, about seditious material reaching the Indians.2 Taken from unit Part II Orders, army lists, gazettes, etc. The orders are the administrative directives concerning the movement of personnel into and out of a Preface 25

unit for various reasons, such as leave, hospitalization and transfer to and from another unit, as well as changes in financial or ration allowances, or punishments awarded for service offence. While writing, it was revealed that national leadership, “talks of peace and learning, of peace and plenty, and of peace and civilization; but that these words are not coupled together.—The words coupled together arepeace and sensuality, peace and selfishness, peace and death. In brief, all great nations learnt the truth of word strength (shakti) in war; that they were nourished in war and wasted in peace; taught by war and deceived by peace; trained by war and betrayed by peace—in a word, that they were born in war and expired in peace.” War is essentially a study involving anticipation of the future; provision must be made, therefore, for the effect of the progress of education, science, and civilization, or unpreparedness will be the result. Difficulties are overcome most easily by precautions taken in advance, rather than by measures hastily adopted when trouble arises. “Surprise is the greatest of all foes;” every effort should be made, therefore, to reduce to a minimum the chance of surprise by a problem which has not already received adequate “consideration.” Many would say, however, that the preparation for war is the duty of statesmen and military officers of senior rank, rather than the care of those junior officers for whom, as has been explained, this work has been mainly undertaken. This is, of course, perfectly true as regards national policy and the general training and equipment of the army, but the junior officer is the agent who is entrusted with the task of giving effect to the wishes of those in superior authority. If the Army is to be up-to-date in every respect, in other words, if it is to be ready for war, the instructors of the rank and file must be themselves thoroughly abreast, or even a little ahead, of the times. Britishers conquered India with just handful of men all in junior ranks commanding few men. To fulfil their duty in this respect it is not enough for officers to drift with the tide of general progress and appreciate new developments only when their freshness has begun to wear off. With the help of the literature to be found in all libraries, in the club, and in the mess, supplemented by personal experience and the teaching of the lecture room, it is possible to be thoroughly up-to-date, to appreciate the direction in which progress of all kinds is being made. The speculations may turn out to be wide of the mark, or they may be justified by events to an extent which gives a pleasant, if surprising, sense of his own shrewdness, but it gives relief to men who trusts in his ability to lead them to success. In the former case no harm is done, and in the latter encouragement is given to renewed explorations of the unknown regions of the future by the light of knowledge of the past. The British achieved success by having an excellent network of spies, better 26 3rd Battalion: The Rajputana Rifles diplomacy and above all the because the Indian rajas were involved in intrigues, palace disputes and family discords. Most of the battles were lost even before the battle began and those fought were just meek surrender. Protection of Zenana was more important than battle. The 3rd Battalion did not have all things right every time; the Battalion saw its successes and failures, at places it won and at others it lost. But one thing that stands out is that it was always true to its salt. The ideologynaam; namak aur nishan was always on the top. The Battalion has been loyal to the core—loyal, not to the vague idea of a far- distant England, not to the vast impersonal Sircar, but loyal to itself; loyal to its officers, who, to the limited minds of the sepoys, represent in concrete form the Power whose salt they eat. One great factor of the Battalion’s efficiency has been the excellence of its British and Native Officers. Placed early in a position of responsibility, the British Officers rapidly learnt to rely on themselves and act, if need be, on their own initiative. The native officers backed the young British officer in his endeavours by giving cool advice. In a British regiment an officer may serve 20 years without commanding more than a company; whereas the Indian Army subaltern, before he has worn a sword 3 years, may find himself in command of his battalion on field-days, in manoeuvres, sometimes even in war all because of the support from Native Officers. Unlike the system of promotion that exists in the British army, the English officers of the native corps attain the different grades after a service of certain number of years— 9 for captain, 18 for major, 26 for lieutenant-colonel—however, may occupy any position in their regiments irrespective of the rank they hold. It is the cool Native Officers who brought Glory to the Regiment.

Colonel Dr Narendar Singh

NOTES

1 Leslie, Lieutenant Colonel J.H. (July 1931), ‘Materials for a History of The Bombay Army,’Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, Vol. 10, No. 39b, pp.155–61. 2 The Chief Censor, Captain Howell, originally a member of the Political Department of the Indian Civil Service, produced a monthly report for the High Command. This report was supported by translations of a sample of about 60 or 70 letters each month illustrating the points made in the report about the troops’ morale, and so on. The reports and translations survive till date and offer a fascinating insight into the feelings and experiences of the officers and men at the front. Chronological Tables

Her Majesty’s 2nd Battalion 11th Regiment Bombay Native Infantry

Showing the Time and Places where the Regiment has Served since it was First Raised

Name of Place Dates Remarks From To Bombay 1 January 1818 2nd February 1819 Poona 3rd February 1819 27th November 1819 Satara 28th November 1819 13th November 1821 Poona 14th November 1821 15th January 1823 Surat 16th January 1823 14th October 1824 Baroda 15th October 1824 29th April 1826 Vuigrola 30th April 1826 21st December 1827 Bhuj 22nd December 1827 29th March 1830 Ahmedabad 30th March 1830 3rd December 1835 Belgaum 1st January 1836 12th December 1838 On Service in Sind 13th December 1838 29th January 1839 Tatta 30th January 1839 11th October 1839 Sukkur 19th November 1839 3rd March 1840 Malegaon 31st May 1840 19th March 1844 Mhow 7th April 1844 26th April 1846 Baroda 21st May 1846 16th October 1848 Bombay 1st November 1848 25th November 1850 Sukkur 24th December 1850 8th June 1852 Malegaon 8th December 1852 5th March 1857 Satara 30th March 1857 8th February 1859 Ahmednagar 18th February 1859 8th August 1862 On Service in China 9th August 1862 2nd June 1865 Poona 3rd June 1865 15th December 1867 28 3rd Battalion: The Rajputana Rifles

Name of Place Dates Remarks From To Bombay 17th December 1867 21st December 1870 Neemuch 20th January 1871 16th January 1874 Baroda 19th February 1874 16th January 1877 Ahmedabad 19th September 1877 27th April 1878 Bombay 29th April 1878 5th September 1878 Poona 7th September 1878 29th October 1878 Belgaum 19th November 1878 19th November 1881 Aden 5th December 1881 5th November 1883 Satara 29th November 1883 7th January 1888 Poona 8th January 1888 15th February 1888 Karachi 19th February 1888 10th March 1888 Pishin 17th March 1888 18th February 1889 Quetta 20 February 1889 16th March 1890 Ahmedabad 25th March 1890 29th January 1894 Bombay 10th March 1894 25th February 1898 Pishin 13th March 1898 14th October 1898 Quetta 17th October 1898 18th March 1900 Mhow 27th March 1900 28th June 1900 On Service in China 23 July 1900 8th August 1902 Hongkong Mhow 30th August 1902 17th December 1906 Ahmedabad 11th January 1907 29th December 1910 Fort Sandeman 16th December 1910 9th December 1912 Kohat 3rd January 1913 30th October 1916 Mesopotamia 15th November 1916 24th June 1920 Depot at Ahmednagar 18th November 1916 Ahmednagar 25th June 1921 7th February 1922 Thal 11th February 1922 11th April 1923 Abbreviations

A.G. Adjutant General A.G.L. Adjutant General’s Letter Gar. O. Garrison Orders G.G.O. Government General Orders G.L. Government Letter G.O. General Orders G.O.C General Orders of the Commander-in- Chief Or Commanding Officer of the Forces G.O.G.G. General Orders by the Governor General