This is Martin Howard's study of the Indian campaigns during the Napoleonic Wars, with a focus on Wellesley and Lake's campaigns. In 2008/09, I ran a series of GDWS show games based on Mughal India (including an article in Wargames Illustrated), stretching the period to Clive. I have dabbled with extending the period to the Wellesleys, and this book has all I need. Yes, the use of 'Wellington' in the title is wrong, but I suspect that was a marketing preference.
The author starts with a look at British forces in India, a mix of European and native infantry. The East India Company recruited Europeans into their regiments, including French prisoners of war, as the British government wanted to limit the deployment of line regiments. Even 42% of the 'English' regiments were Irish and 24% Scots. There is enough detail in the book, and some colour paintings to get the wargamer started.
The next chapter covers the opposing forces, including the Mysore army of Tipu Sultan. They were huge, but of very mixed quality. They included a tiny European contingent, probably not exceeding 100. The organisation of regular troops was influenced by French practice. The other main opponent was the Maratha confederacy, which actually covered several different rulers, with the British playing divide and rule. The political skills of Wellesley's brother are touched on, but this book is primarily a military history. The strongest was probably Daulat Rao Sindia, who had European officers to command his regular units, and they provided more vigorous opposition.
The various campaigns are covered in detail. Some are well-known, like Gawilghur, Seringhamtam and Assaye, but others have been largely forgotten. In one of those historical turning points, Wellesley was nearly killed when his ship struck a reef in August 1798. The Peninsular and Waterloo without Wellington is a fascinating what-if of history. Wellesley takes much of the credit for British success in India, but this book emphasises the role of General Lake, who has largely been ignored. He played a central role in the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805), fighting against Scindia and his French-trained army, as well as against Holkar later in the war. Actions included the Battle of Aligarh (September 1803), the capture of Delhi (September 1803), and the Battle of Laswari (November 1803). His only failure was at the Siege of Bharatpur (1805). Lake was a fighting general, respected by his men, and his obscurity is undeserved.
The strongest section of the book is the chapters on how the army fought. There is only one Sepoy memoir, and even that is contested. Still, the author breaks down the tactics used by infantry, cavalry and artillery. He looks at what motivated sepoys to help the British conquer India, which includes consideration of recruitment and regimental pride, as well as regular pay and pensions. This was the period when the British started to develop the military races theory, which favoured Rajputs and Pathans because they were taller, of paler skin and of a higher caste.
This is an excellent study of the period. The wargamer will probably still need the Osprey MAA 453 for the uniform details and colour plates.
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Some of my 28mm Sepoys |
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The always colourful Indian cavalry in 28mm |