Question

With reference to the changes made with the Indian army after the 1857 revolt, which of the following statement is NOT correct?
1. The East India Company’s European forces were merged with the Crown troops.
2. The proportion of Europeans to Indians in the army was raised and fixed at one to two in the Bengal Army, Madras, and Bombay armies.
3. European troops were kept in key geographical and military positions.
4. The older policy of excluding Indians from the officer corps was strictly maintained.

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : The proportion of Europeans to Indians in the army was raised and fixed at one to two in the Bengal Army, Madras, and Bombay armies.

The correct answer is The proportion of Europeans to Indians in the army was raised and fixed at one to two in the Bengal Army, Madras, and Bombay armies.

• The Indian army was carefully reorganized after 1858. Some changes were made necessary by the transfer of power to the Crown.
• The East India Company’s European forces were merged with the Crown troops. But the army was reorganized most of all to prevent the recurrence of another revolt.

 

• The rulers had seen that their bayonets were the only secure foundation of their rule. Several following steps were taken to minimize, if not completely eliminate, the capacity of Indian soldiers to revolt −
  • The domination of the army by its European branch was carefully guaranteed.
  • The proportion of Europeans to Indians in the army was raised and fixed at one to two in the Bengal Army and two to five in the Madras and Bombay armies. Hence, Option 2 is NOT correct.
  • The European troops were kept in key geographical and military positions.
  • The crucial branches of the army like artillery and, later in the 20th century, tanks, and armored corps were put exclusively in European hands.
  • The older policy of excluding Indians from the officer corps was strictly maintained.
    • Till 1914, no Indian could rise higher than the rank of a subedar.
  • The organization of the Indian section of the army was based on the policy of “balance and counterpoise” or “divide and rule” so as to prevent its chances of uniting again in an anti-British uprising.
  • Discrimination on the basis of caste, region, and religion was practiced, in recruitment to the army.