The Indian Army's British Officer Corps, 1861-1921
The Indian Army underwent a process of reform and modernisation from 1861 onwards. The aim was to create a desirable working environment for the Indian troops, who were necessary for the defence of the subcontinent. This included providing Indian regiments with a professional officer corps, consisting of British men of sufficient quality. By creating a prosopography and combining this with thematic chapters, this thesis aims to chart this process of reform up to 1914. The First World War placed demands on the Indian Army which meant that progress was interrupted owing to an influx of new officers. This created numerous challenges which had to be overcome during the conflict. The effects of the First World War, the worldâs first âtotal warâ, on the Indian Army will be assessed. As will the performance of Indian Army units in numerous battles and campaigns between 1861 and 1921, analysing the role of the British officer on active service. Away from the battlefield, the officers of the Indian Army were a diverse group with many different backgrounds. The thesis aims to analyse these backgrounds and look for trends within the officersâ origins. Familial ties to India or the military would have helped officers
Prime, Adam John
The Indian Army's British Officer Corps, 1861-1921. The Indian Army underwent a process of reform and modernisation from 1861 onwards. The aim was to create a desirable working environment for the Indian troops, who were necessary for the defence of the subcontinent. This included providing Indian regiments with a professional officer corps, consisting of British men of sufficient quality. By creating a prosopography and combining this with thematic chapters, this thesis aims to chart this process of reform up to 1914. The First World War placed demands on the Indian Army which meant that progress was interrupted owing to an influx of new officers. This created numerous challenges which had to be overcome during the conflict. The effects of the First World War, the worldâs first âtotal warâ, on the Indian Army will be assessed. As will the performance of Indian Army units in numerous battles and campaigns between 1861 and 1921, analysing the role of the British officer on active service. Away from the battlefield, the officers of the Indian Army were a diverse group with many different backgrounds. The thesis aims to analyse these backgrounds and look for trends within the officersâ origins. Familial ties to India or the military would have helped officers
indian_army british officer corps indian_army underwent process reform modernisation onwards aim create desirable work environment indian troop necessary defence subcontinent include provide indian regiment professional officer_corp consist british men sufficient quality create prosopography combine thematic aims chart process reform first_world_war place demand indian_army mean progress interrupt owe influx new officer create numerous challenge overcome conflict effect first_world_war world first total war indian_army assess performance indian_army unit numerous battle campaign analyse role british officer active service away battlefield officer indian_army diverse_group many_different background aim_analyse background look trend within officer origin familial tie india military would help officer