Armies of the East India Company 1750-1850

Contrary to popular belief, the capture of India was not accomplished by the British Army, but by the private armies of the East India Company, which grew in size to become larger than that of any European sovereign state.
This is the history of its army, examining the many conflicts they fought, their equipment and training, with its regiments of horse, foot and guns, which rivalled those of most European powers. The development of their uniforms, which combined traditional Indian and British dress, is illustrated in detail in this colourful account of the private band of colonisers that successfully captured the 'jewel' of the British Empire.

Stuart Reid worked as a librarian and a professional soldier. His main focus of interest lies in the 18th and 19th centuries and he has ancestors who served in the British Army and the East India Company. He has written numerous books, including several works for Osprey.
Gerry Embleton has been a leading illustrator and researcher of historical costume since the 1970s. He is an internationally respected authority on 15th and 18th century costumes in particular.

Origins - defence companies raised for trading stations
The reforms of Stringer Lawrence and Robert Clive 1740s-50s
Campaigns: Against Dupleix 1751-54 - Suraja Dowla and the 'Black Hole of Calcutta' 1756 - battle of Plassey, 1757 · The Mysore Wars 1766-69, 1780-83, 1789-92 · First Maratha War 1779-82 · Fourth Mysore War, 1799 - Tippoo Shaib and Arthur Wellesley at Seringapatum · Second Maratha War 1803-05 · Hindustan & Gurkha Wars 1804-16 · Third Maratha War 1817-18 · Burma War 1823-26 · First Afghan War 1839-42 · Sind 1843 · First and Second Sikh Wars 1848-49
Evolution of uniforms and equipment