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Independence and Partition, 1947

The birth of India and Pakistan as independent states in 1947 was a key moment in the history of Britain’s Empire and its army.

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106th Regiment of Foot (Bombay Light Infantry)

This infantry unit was raised for the army of the East India Company in 1839, but joined the British Army in 1862. It continued in service until the 1881 reforms, when it was merged into The Durham Light Infantry.

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Third Afghan War and the Revolt in Waziristan

In May 1919, conflict broke out between British India and Afghanistan. Although peace was quickly agreed, the violence spread to the North West Frontier, challenging British control of that region.

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Other ranks' glengarry badge, 107th Regiment of Foot (Bengal Infantry), c1874

107th Regiment of Foot (Bengal Light Infantry)

This infantry regiment was raised by the East India Company in 1854 and transferred to the British Army five years later. It continued in service until the 1881 reforms, when it was amalgamated into The Royal Sussex Regiment.

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102nd Regiment of Foot (Royal Madras Fusiliers)

This unit's origins stretch back to 1742, when it became part of the East India Company's army. In 1862, it transferred to the British Army and then merged into The Royal Dublin Fusiliers in 1881.

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103rd Regiment of Foot (Royal Bombay Fusiliers)

This regiment's origins stretch back to the 1680s, when it became part of the East India Company's army. In 1862, it transferred to the British Army and then merged into The Royal Dublin Fusiliers in 1881.

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104th Regiment of Foot (Bengal Fusiliers)

This infantry regiment became part of the British Army in 1862. Prior to this, it had served for over a century with the East India Company's army. It was merged into The Royal Munster Fusiliers in 1881.

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101st Regiment of Foot (Royal Bengal Fusiliers)

This regiment became part of the British Army in 1862. But its origins date back to the 17th century, when the East India Company first established units of European troops. It was merged into The Royal Munster Fusiliers in 1881.

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109th Regiment of Foot (Bombay Infantry)

This unit was raised by the East India Company in 1853, but soon transferred to British Army service. It existed until the reforms of 1881, when it was merged into The Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment.

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General Sir Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1894

Frederick Roberts: Bobs

Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts was one of Britain’s most successful military commanders of the 19th century, winning victories during the Second Afghan War and revitalising the British campaign in the Boer War.

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Claude Auchinleck: The auk

After initial successes in North Africa during the Second World War, Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck transferred to India as Commander-in-Chief. His unstinting logistical support there was vital to the Allied re-conquest of Burma.

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Robert Sale: Fighting Bob

Major-General Sir Robert Sale served in several important campaigns on the Indian subcontinent. He skillfully commanded the besieged garrison at Jalalabad during the First Afghan War, before being killed in action in the First Sikh War.

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Lieutenant-General Sir Archibald Wavell, 1938

Archibald Wavell: Britain's first wartime victor

Field Marshal Sir Archibald Wavell led an imaginative and flexible campaign against the Italians in North Africa. His triumph over their vastly superior forces was Britain’s first success of the war and paved the way for later victories.

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Secondary workshop

1 June 2024 - 18 July 2025

FREE

The Indian ‘Mutiny’?

Analyse evidence from sources and artefacts to make a case for how the 1857 uprising in India should be interpreted.

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Secondary (virtual)

1 June 2024 - 18 July 2025

FREE

The Indian ‘Mutiny’? (virtual)

Analyse evidence from documents and artefacts, then curate an exhibition to make a case for whether the conflict was a mutiny or war of independence.

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Explore India learning resources

Indian Army troops travelling upstream on a barge, Mesopotamia, c1916

Timeline

KS3-KS5 (Ages 11+)

India, Empire and the Army: Interactive Timeline

Explore the history of the British Army in India and the British Empire's Indian armies through this interactive timeline packed with over 200 sources.

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'The Divided Dominion', poster, published 21 June 1947

Video

KS3-KS4 (Ages 11 to 16)

The Partition of India: A Poetic Retelling

Discover more about the Partition of India and the events leading up to it through this poetry film, featuring archival images and original epic poetry.

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