Ultimate Indian Unit Concept Art

[Blue Monkey]

Shields gallery now available in post #2.

 

[Blue Monkey]

Classical Era Clothing gallery added.

 

[Blue Monkey]

East India Company Era

I'm not at all a military historian so I apologize in advance for any errors of vocabulary or content, especially regarding the European units.

Historical Notes
on unit composition & equipment

Spoiler :

This might be more properly called the “East India Company” era - roughly 1750 - 1850. There were a series of relatively brief wars between the British EIC and each of various major kingdoms. Most of these wars were with what became known as the “martial races”- such as Rajputs, Marathas, Sikhs, etc. In general, after coming under EIC rule they later provided units to the EIC.

The EIC employed more or less private armies. Each of the three presidencies - Bengal, Bombay, & Madras - would have its own. The armies consisted of both units raised by the EIC & those privately raised as a way of the individual advancing himself within the EIC. Most units were raised from Individual ethnic groups who were then stationed in a different part of India.

“Sepoy” roughly translates as “infantryman”. “Jawan” is the equivalent of “Private”. "Sowar" is the cavalry equivalent of sepoy. “Subedar” was the highest rank an Indian could hold. They could command only Indian troops, and would rank below any British officer. Officers and core cadre were Europeans, with the occasional son of a European by an Indian.

Sepoys wore a mix of uniform (often cast-offs) & "native" dress. Their weapons would be outmoded, for a couple of obvious reasons. Elite units such as those composed of Gurkhas or Sikhs would be more likely to wear uniforms, and those would be culturally distinct. They would also be likely to provide many of their own armaments. Privately raised elite units such as Skinner’s Horse had uniforms designed by their commander. The EIC’s European soldiers wore British uniforms, without regard for the Indian climate. Some mercenary cadre would wear the uniforms of their former affiliation, even if in so doing they claimed a higher rank. The military of regions not under European hegemony would wear more traditional uniforms and there would be a lot of regional/tribal/caste variation. the Sultanates for example might field armies that actually looked more "Persian", while other areas might have a dhoti + jacket look or a sort of "zouave-with-turban”.

Weapons
The most common infantry weapon was the “Indian Standard” musket - a version of the “Brown Bess” that was used until 1850.
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Infantry Units
I’d like to see four infantry units. More details of each are in the galleries inside the spoiler. In order of preference from left to right:
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1. Sepoy - a red coat, white & blue trim. The white/blue could also be used for civ color. Short pants or dhoti - white with blue or civ color trim. Flat-topped cocked hat. Its stripe & pom-pom are another place for civ-color. Barefoot. Their weapon should be the bayoneted musket.
2. Lascar - a “Marine”. Same Hat as the Sepoy. Green coat - preferably the early open style. The whole hat can be civ-color. Long white pants. Barefoot. Weapons preferably a flintlock pistol & tulwar (curved sword).
3. French Sepoy - White uniform; cummerbund and shoes civ-color. The pants need not be so poofy. Maybe a mid-length dhoti like “A” or “F” in the Uniform Variations gallery in the spoiler. Another possibility would look more like “D” but with a shorter coat & the cocked hat like the standard sepoy. Weapon is a musket without bayonet. The weapon in his belt is a katar - a special kind of knife for close combat. Free katar poser prop, of you want it.
4. Sapper - as pictured but with a soft cap/turban sporting a civ-colored feather like the Bombay sepoys in the spoiler. Civ-color anywhere else on uniform.

Infantry Details

Spoiler :

The main thing to note is the continuity of uniforms for over a hundred years, and the diversity between various regiments, just as in European armies.
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EIC Elite & European Units
Again left to right in order of preference:
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1. Skinner’s Horse - Lancers noted for their distinctive yellow coats. Lots more images in spoiler. Possible civ color locations - cummerbund or stripe/peak on turban, but not whole turban. Most of the images show a later Europeanized version of the uniform. During the EIC era they would most likely have worn the turban with a simple coat, like "B" in the Uniform Variations above.
2. Company Infantry - Red coat, white pants, with the “top hat”. Civ color on trim. Weapon = musket.
3. Irregular - Leather short-sleeve coat over civ-color uniform. Sash could also be civ color. If made as infantry then with musket. Horse unit would be either sabre & pistol, or rifle/musket.

EIC unit details

Spoiler :

Skinner’s Horse - Lancers raised by James Skinner was a half-caste officer who first worked as a mercenary cadre for the Marathas, then switched to the EIC when the two went to war. When he joined the EIC forces he raised “Skinner’s Horse” - lancers noted for their distinctive yellow coats.
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As seen in the Battle of Assaye image most European troops wore European uniforms. So the units already made by Sandris, etc. should be fine. Artificers are an early version of combat engineers.
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@ Sandris - I can post more images of typical artillery, cavalry, and a couple of special gunpowder elephant and camel units. Galleries of “opposing” forces - especially the Rajputs, Sikhs, and Pathans - are also in the works. Finally, if you really want to redo the later 19th c. units you already made I can post images from that era also.

 

[Sandris]

It`s very nice and useful stuff. I`ll use it with pleasure.

Also, I think it could be reasonable to post the Indian stuff of all time periods, even including elephants and artillery (for imperator1962).

 

[Blue Monkey]

It`s very nice and useful stuff. I`ll use it with pleasure.

Also, I think it could be reasonable to post the Indian stuff of all time periods, even including elephants and artillery (for imperator1962).

I plan to. That little post only took about 20 hours work. Since that included gathering images for later in the 19th c. the next set shouldn't take so long. And of course specific requests from unit makers get priority.

 

[Yang Liu]

Here are some indian Warelephants from the newest Osprey:

Moderator Action: Large image removed after request to replace with thumbnail was ignored

You can use them with HowdahTextures2 !

Michael

 

[Ozymandias]

@Blue Monkey - I would greatly appreciate your help in suggesting alternatives for any units that haven't been made (for my 7 Years War mod)!

Best,

Oz

 

[WildWeazel]

er, do you do realize that this thread was from well before Sandris left, and you bumped it after 8 months?

 

[Blue Monkey]

er, do you do realize that this thread was from well before Sandris left, and you bumped it after 8 months?

Posted after following a link. I'm moving the post.

And this is an active thread - even if it's moving like molasses at the moment.

 

[WildWeazel]

Ah, now I see.


Wait, now I look like the crazy one!

 

[The Guardian]

This is a little better pic of the 1804 sepoy in Blues post #23

 

[cemo1956]

er, do you do realize that this thread was from well before Sandris left, and you bumped it after 8 months?

But then Sandris has also returned to hopefully finish these Indians. Not only the thread was awaken but also Sandris. Hence that sometimes messing with old threads can have lasting effects.

The Indian unit makings really need to be exploited. Sooo many variations of units can be made from the ancient all up to the Sikh and Gurkha infantry units of the late 19C. Truly a great project looking at these pictures and others on this forum.

Perhaps even some WWI and WWII units for Sikhs?