Q. Consider the following statements:
1. Before 1857, the white army was about one – third of the total forces.
2. After revolt of 1857, the proportion of Europeans to Indians was carefully fixed at one to two in the Bengal Army and two to five in the Madras Army.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 
Answer: B
Notes:
To begin with, domination of the European branch over the Indian branches was ensured. The commissions of 1859 and 1879 insisted on the principle of a one-third white army (as against 14% before 1857).
- Finally, the proportion of Europeans to Indians was carefully fixed at one to two in the Bengal Army and two to five in the Madras and Bombay Armies.
- Strict European monopoly over key geographical locations and departments, such as artillery, tanks and armed corps, was maintained.
- Even the rifles given to Indians were of an inferior quality till 1900, and Indians were not allowed in these high-tech departments till the Second World War.
- No Indians were allowed in the officer rank, and the highest rank an Indian could reach till 1914 was that of a subedar (only from 1918 onwards were Indians allowed in the commissioned ranks).
- As late as 1926, the Indian Sandhurst Committee was visualising a 50% Indianised officer cadre for 1952.
Source: Spectrum’s A Brief History of Modern India.
