The Madras Army in the Northern Circars, 1832-1833, Pacification and Professionalism.
Abstract
The Madras Army in the 1830's was a professional military force whose use in internal security campaigns was a routine part of the Madras Presidency Government's operations. The Madras Army was a large, modern (for the 1830's), military force organized to defend the state against external and internal enemies. The British officers were aware fo the strengths and weaknesses inherent in a multiethnic army which could not appeal to patriotism. The Madras Army deliberately attempted to overcome the weaknesses through such programs as encouraging the study of Asian languages by the British officers and providing paternalistic care for the sepoys and their families. The Madras Army was organized to support the civil administration in securing the revenue and maintaining tranquility. The 1832-1833 campaign in the Vishakhapatnam District included from four to eight hundred troops in the field pursuing two rebel factions, the largest reported group of which numbered seven to eight hundred. Anytime the troops brought the rebels to battle, the superior discipline and training of the Madras Army produced a victory. Such campaigns were a normal part of the process of governing India for the British. The image of passive Indians accepting British rule except in the Mutiny and other minor, isolated instances until Indian Nationalism erupted after World War I is untrue.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA126944
Entities
People
- Lorenzo Mayo Crowell Jr
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology