"First and second Anglo-Sikh Wars questions" Topic

Hi all,

I gave in and recently ordered some of Newline Designs' Anglo-Sikh War 1:72 figures. Just from the pictures on their site, I was really taken by these figures, and now, on taking them out of their bags, I am really impressed. They're great little sculpts, and I will definitely be starting a project proper!

I have the Osprey on the NWF, and I am currently awaiting the British Army on Campaign 1, and I have Mollo's Indian Army, and the The First Anglo-Sikh War by Amarpal Sidhu.

However, I had a few questions pertaining to these particular wars:

What flag(s) were carried by the Sepoy Regiments at the time? Did they carry the Union Flag, and a Regimental flag? Would they have carried EIC colours?

Would sepoy regiments be led by European Officers?

Could anyone recommend any other figures that could be used for High Command?

**EDIT** Oh, and another one: Would Gurkha batallions be dressed in the same uniforms as the British regiments, or sepoy regiments?

Thanks in advance
Ryan

In 1/72 you're pretty limited for other figs – you might find some suitable bods in Tumbling Dice's Crimea range or Strelets Crimea plastics whose Dragoons are suitable for the Sikh Wars at least.

Good reading inspiration can be had from Don Featherstone's At Them With The Bayontet.

TMPer Andrew Preziosi is the man for flag questions, I expect he'll be along presently!

Oh, and yes, Sepoy units had Anglo officers and their own colours, not sure about Soveriegns colours as they were private employees of the Company.

I'm here.

Believe it or not, I must admit I am not much of an authority on Flags and Uniforms ! (The Shame, the Horror).

Sorry Ffolkes, had to draw the line somewhere.

But, Yes, all Native units, including irregulars and Gurkhas were led by British Officers.

Native units did not carry the Union Jack (To the best of my knowledge, they were strictly speaking mercenaries and even the Army and Navy of the HEIC was not recognized as such by the government back in Merrye Olde). They were recognized as military entities as long as they remained "east of the Cape of Good Hope".

The Gurkhas wore green uniforms, but I'm pretty sure they had (fore)shortened shako's, instead of the later pillbox hats.

I will, of course, bow to those members here who are more fans of the "Victoria and Albert Museum" than the British Museum and have greater fashion sense than I do…

I would not be too sure that Company troops including native units did not carry the Union Jack in addition to their regimental flag. The Company was a legislative creation of Westminister and always closely regulated by the British Government. The Company was more of an arms length body than an independent one.

Company troops were deployed in China during the Opium Wars.

Andrew, when will 'the book' be released?

Osprey do a couple of other books that cover the Sikh Wars Six battles for India (Bruce) and The first and second Sikh Wars (Burton) are good reads.

And TVAG has a great set of Sikh War flags, for both sides, and available in 20mm IIRC.

wiki.fibis.org is an incredible resource for wargaming 19th century India.

Hope this helps.

If you have Mollo, your question about colours is answered on pages 75 and 94. Colours are downloadable from the Grimsby Wargamers site: link

Just send an email to the address shown in the middle of the red printing and ask for the Indian Mutiny set.

Wow, what a great flag site! Thanks for the link.

Yes, the native regiments had the same colours as the British regiments.The ghurka uniforms copied the Rifle Brigade uniforms--dark green with black facings. There was one ghurka regiment that had red coats but later switched to dark green--I'm not sure when but the Mollo book will have that info.

All your uniform and much flag information can be found in "The British in India 1825 to 1859" by John French. Available on Amazon Kindle and in hardback, and originally published by Foundry Press. The Kindle Edition in only $22.95 USD U.S. This is also contains descriptions of all the battles and ORBATS, etc.

Good OOBs from Andrew P also available at TVAG

Thank you all very much for the info.

Featherstone's book arrived this morning, so I look forward to reading that after I have finished Sidhu's.

TVAG flags sound great, but I will also check out the other link provided.

After reading some previous threads, I also am looking forward to/awaiting expectantly "the book".

I think I may have found a new favourite period to game/read about it. I'm hoping some of my fiancees family can come back to me with information too, as they are from the same sort of area that the battles took place!

Sidhu's book is excellent he is working on one for the second Sikh War. Should be out soon.