Armies of the East India Company 1750 1850: No. 453

A concise history of the uniformed regiments that defeated a whole contingent of French forces, took India for Britain and helped determine the future structure of the British Army. Contrary to popular belief, the capture of India was not accomplished by the British Army, but by the private armies of the East India Company, which grew in size to become larger than that of any European sovereign state.This is the history of its army, examining the many conflicts they fought, their equipment and training, with its regiments of horse, foot and guns, which rivalled those of most European powers. The development of their uniforms, which combined traditional Indian and British dress, is illustrated in detail in this colourful account of the private band of colonisers that successfully captured the 'jewel' of the British Empire.