Q. With reference to the British Indian military system after the Revolt of 1857, consider the following statements:
1.The Indian Army was reorganised to maintain British dominance by fixing a higher proportion of European soldiers compared to Indian soldiers.
2.The British followed a policy of classifying communities into ‘martial’ and ‘non-martial’ races to favour recruitment from certain groups.
3.Indian soldiers were gradually allowed into officer ranks from the year 1859.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: A
Notes:
Explanation:
- After 1857, the British maintained a 1:2 ratio in Bengal and 2:5 in Bombay and Madras, ensuring European dominance in key military positions and locations.
- The British promoted the ‘martial race’ theory, favouring recruitment of Sikhs, Gurkhas, and Pathans while excluding groups from Awadh, Bihar, and South India that had participated in the revolt.
- Indians were not allowed in officer ranks after 1859; the highest rank until 1914 was Subedar. Only from 1918 onwards were Indians permitted into commissioned ranks, and even then, entry into arms like artillery remained restricted until World War II.
Source: Spectrum’s A Brief History of Modern India
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