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The First World War (1914-1918) or the Great War for Civilisation, as it was known at the time, was a watershed event in modern world history. The events of that conflict changed the social and political map of the world forever. Its repercussions reverberate through time and many contemporary conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, trace their roots directly to the fallout of that war. Though a colony at the time, India actively supported the war effort in its bid to gain Dominion status. The overwhelming majority of mainstream political opinion in 1914 was united in the view that if India desired greater responsibility and political autonomy, it must also be willing to share in the burden of Imperial defence. As a result, India contributed immensely to the war effort in terms of both men and material. Her soldiers served with credit and honour in numerous battlefields around the globe: in France and Belgium, in Aden, Arabia, East Africa, Gallipoli, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Palestine, Persia, Salonica, Russia, and even in China. By the end of the war 1,100,000 Indians had served overseas at the cost of 60,000 dead. They earned over 9,200 decorations for gallantry including 11 Victoria Crosses. These figures include the contribution of over 26,000 Imperial Service troops who were a part of the Indian States Forces., India and the great war

Raising the 49th was a unique experiment as it was the first ‘all Bengali’ infantry regiment, it comprised many educated young men from urban backgrounds, and there was no segregation amongst the rank and file based on religion since Hindus and Muslims served together. This structure was quite unlike other Indian infantry regiments of that era which recruited from the illiterate rural peasantry, compartmentalized into caste or religious based sub units or regiments. On mobilization the Bengalis were sent to Mesopotamia to fight the Ottoman Turks. Cultural prejudices from their own British officers, poor leadership, caste rivalries’ amongst the Indian officers and a serious incident within the regiment resulted in its disbandment in 1920.

The partition of India in August 1947 saw a unified Indian Army disembered and seperated into the armies of India and Pakistan. The task of dividing the army's regiments was accomplished in less than three months largely due to the efforts of senior British and Indian officers and was made possible with the spirit of camaraderie and goodwill existing amongst all ranks. This chapter examines how this seemingly "impossible task" was achieved in one of its most respected fighting arms- the Indian cavalry or more appropriately its descendent the Indian Armoured Corps.

Packed with historical data assembled from a wide variety of sources, much of it previously unavailable, together with over 2000 images which have required years of in-depth research to assemble in the form of photographic images or meticulous line drawings, this ground-breaking book deals with every cavalry regiment known to have existed in the armed forces of India and Pakistan from 1750 up to 2007. The author has concentrated on the complex lineages of the many regiments, the identification of their badges, ethnic compositions and battle honours. A comprehensive mass of information is arranged in an orderly manner for easy access under three sections covering the periods 1750 to 1921, 1921 to 1947 and 1947 to 2007. Supplementary to this, but vital to an understanding of the subject, there are chapters that explore the evolution of the mounted arm on the Indian subcontinent, policies relating to ethnography and recruitment, the volunteer movement and the Auxiliary Force (India) Cavalry, and the forces of the Indian Princely States that were ultimately absorbed into the Indian Armoured Corps. A detailed bibliography is provided for further research. This book will serve as an authoritative source for serious students of military history searching for a better understanding of the history and lineage of Indian and Pakistani cavalry regiments and how these entities functioned. It will also provide an indispensable tool for collectors of regimental insignia and military medals and a comprehensive guide to the identification and appreciation of badges, buttons and shoulder titles throughout the period., “IZZAT is a remarkable achievement. Wonderfully organised and clearly presented, it is an exhaustive account of the cavalry regiments of the Indian Army, both before 1947 and since. The genealogy of each regiment, the fundamental reorganisations of 1921 and 1947, the battle honours and dress distinctions – all are to be found here. This is an indispensable source of reference.”Professor Hew StrachanChichele Professor of the History of War, Oxford University“This magnum opus has been written by an acknowledged authority on the subject and will surely become the definitive work on the iconography and history of the cavalry regiments of the old Anglo-Indian Army. Also included is a comprehensive description of all the cavalry regiments of independent India and Pakistan and their fighting records. This well organised book reads easily and is packed with useful information – including descriptions of many hitherto obscure units. Sources are well noted and provide numerous leads to further research. The illustrations of badges are legion and of excellent quality. Strongly recommended for the serious student of the Sub-continent’s military history.”The Indian Military Historical Society, United Kingdom“An outstanding and a pioneering work by Captain Ashok Nath on the Indian Cavalry Regiments from 1750-2007. This publication will go a long way in fulfilling an existing requirement of such a composition, nested in one place, which will be of much use to our regiments and also help researchers and scholars looking for reference material on the subject.”Lt Gen B.M. Kapur, PVSM, AVSMPresident, Indian Cavalry Officers Association

On the 150th anniversary of the disruptions in British India, scholars have still not reconciled themselves to an appropriate terminology for them, while politicians hijack the events for their own agenda. In order to examine this controversial episode in the development of modern India, two influential early histories of 1857 are looked into, as well as a recent historical work which has taken a different approach.

Djupa rötter krisen i Burma är inte bara en konflikt mellan den demokratiska oppositionen och militärjuntan. De etniska mötsättningar som närdes under britternas kolonialstyre,samt andra världskrigets erfarenheter, utgör också delar av bilden.

This paper examines the martial race theory in the South Asia context, its modern day critics, its origins, conventions and applications. The induction of Jat Sikhs, as a favoured group is looked into and the paper concludes with its present day paradox within the Indian military establishment.

To what extent was the British policy of 'divida et impera' responsible for the birth of Burma's jingoist, national military? The paper explores four deep-rooted historical factors. -the suppression of Burman military tradition and exclusion of the Burmese majority from the military forces. -direct and indirect policies for the administration of Burma. -disproportionately high level of ethnic minority recruitment in the military. -the clash of different military cultural ideologies.