Indian Army

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In Their Own Words: Subedar Sitaram Pande

Sitaram Pande served with the Bengal Army from 1812 to 1860, taking part in many important campaigns. His memoirs provide a rare and precious glimpse into life in the Indian Army during the 19th century.

Ted Senior during his time as a prisoner of war, c1943

In Their Own Words: Major Ted Senior

Ted Senior was captured by the Japanese during the Second World War and forced to work on the Thai-Burma ‘Death Railway'. The diary he kept reveals the horrific conditions that he and his fellow prisoners endured.

Jacket worn by Captain John Malcolmson VC, c1860

Wool, wax and whalebone: Preparing a uniform for display

Our conservation team describes some of the essential work required to get one of the highlights of the Global Role gallery ready for display.

2nd King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)

This infantry unit was raised by the East India Company in 1815. It later served with distinction as part of the Indian Army until 1948, when it transferred to British Army service. In 1994, it was merged into The Royal Gurkha Rifles.

6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles

Originally raised in 1817 as part of the East India Company's forces, this infantry regiment transferred to the British Army in 1948. After several decades of distinguished service, it was amalgamated into The Royal Gurkha Rifles in 1994.

10th Princess Mary’s Own Gurkha Rifles

Originally raised in 1890 as part of the Indian Army, this infantry regiment transferred to the British Army in 1948. After several decades of distinguished service, it was amalgamated into The Royal Gurkha Rifles in 1994.

Cap badge, 7th Duke of of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles, c1990

7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles

Originally raised in 1902 as part of the Indian Army, this infantry regiment transferred to the British Army in 1948. After several decades of distinguished service, it was amalgamated into the Royal Gurkha Rifles in 1994.

Field Marshal Sir John Chapple

Field Marshal Sir John Chapple had a most distinguished military career. He was also passionate about military heritage and history, and a steadfast supporter of the National Army Museum.

‘Amar Singh - fait a Orléans’, 16 October 1914

Paul Sarrut: Interpreting the Army on the Western Front

Paul Sarrut was a French soldier who was posted to the British Army as a military liaison officer and interpreter during the First World War. Trained as an artist, Sarrut created an important visual record of the 3rd (Lahore) Division in France.

Armies of the East India Company

Originally formed to trade in Asia, the East India Company came to rule large areas of the Indian subcontinent, exercising military power through its formidable armed forces.

The Battle of Chillianwala, 13 January 1849

Second Sikh War

In 1848-49, British-Indian forces were once again at war with the Sikh Empire. The campaign that raged across the Punjab eventually led to the region's full annexation by the British and the removal of one of the last Indian powers able to challenge British control of the subcontinent.

2nd Battalion 5th Gurkha Rifles at Ahnai Tangi in Waziristan, 14 January 1920

The North-West Frontier

Between 1849 and 1947, British and Indian soldiers undertook a series of punitive expeditions against the fiercely independent tribesmen of this wild and mountainous region.

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School students getting to grips with the handling collection

Secondary

1 Jun 2024 - 18 Jul 2025 FREE

World at War: Soldiers of Empire

Discover more about the contributions of soldiers from the British Empire in the First and Second World Wars.

Explore Indian Army learning resources

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

Timeline

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.

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

Video

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.