East India Army. When the East India Company (q.v.) first sent factors or agents to India, an army was not thought of. Military forces arose out of the exigencies of the times, and at first included adventurers, convicts, and deserters from European armies. Gradually organisation was introduced, and as the power of the Company increased, natives entered the service, until at length most of the troops were Hindus or Mohamedans, drilled by non-commissioned officers sent out from England. A few regiments were raised in England, a much larger number in India; but all alike were officered by the Company's English officers. Before the outbreak of the Mutiny the forces in the pay of the Company comprised about 280,000 men, including 180,000 native regulars, and 60,000 native irregular horse; and these troops formed three distinct armies, one for each presidency, and each with its own commander-in-chief, although the commander-in-chief in Bengal exercised authority over the other two, an arrangement maintained under the later organisation till 1893. To what extent this fine force melted away during 1857 and the two following years is described under INDIA. Under the Act of 1858 the army also was transferred to the crown, the government, to prevent a threatened disturbance, allowing such as chose to retire. As the Sikhs had behaved well, most of the regiments from the Punjab were retained, as well as most of the native regiments in the Bombay and Madras presidencies; but it was not deemed expedient to restore the native regiments of Bengal proper which had proved so treacherous.
The strength of the British forces lent to India is annually fixed in the army estimates laid before parliament, and comprises about 75,000 officers and men. The native army numbers nearly 150,000, of whom the infantry exceed 100,000, and the cavalry amount to over 20,000. So that the total military force of India may be stated at 225,000 (see ARMY). These figures are exclusive of the armies maintained by the feudatory or independent states; their total strength is estimated at 350,000 men, with 4300 guns. During the Eastern crisis a force of native Indian troops was sent to Malta; and in the Egyptian war of 1882 Indian troops fought with distinction along with their English fellow-subjects.