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Indian colonial historiography focuses merely on the British stint invariably eclipsing the French interaction. In clich`E9d historical terminology, it is the saga of the victor versus the vanquished, in the struggle for colonial ascendancy. General Gurbir Mansingh steers our military historiography towards the untraversed sphere of the impact of the French on the Indian Army. Substantial time has elapsed since Independence. Post-modernism brought forth an increased global interaction, so India is today an emergent economic power, though retrospectively, France makes its bid for a space within the ambit of its colonial past. The French niche is due in any case, if we rewrite the history of India as it morphed from the medieval to the modern. Often, the British historiographers glossed over this definitive part of our colonial legacy, so the author aptly introduces his intent at alleviating this "progressive indoctrination", particularly, in the military sphere. The French imprints are not merely perfunctorily visible in the aesthetics, buildings in Pondicherry but also characterised in a conjunction of the military and civil system. In actual terms, the French impact on the former outweighs the latter. In the Indian Army, the British format endures even after 56 years in terms of "doctrine, organiaation, tactics, weaponry, regimental customs and military etiquette". However, at the close of the eighteenth century, when the Anglo-French struggle ensued and the induction of European military science did herald the modernisation of the indigenous armies from the medieval mould to the modern, even though the French role was vital and were out of the Indian arena after the battle of Buxar in 1763, their influence persisted through mercenaries in the state services. This study should have been an integral part of Indian military history, so the book fills this historical lacuna. Another typical example was Ranjit Singh’s Army; its systematisation and efficiency leapfrogged with the induction of Allard, Ventura, Court and Avitable, the prototypes epitomised by the Moghuls and the Marathas. Before the Europeans arrived in India, the "fauj" was haphazard conglomerate of independent commanders with no organised structure whatsoever. These Frenchmen brought with them the wherewithal and expertise of the mighty army of Napoleon. Between the four of them, they infused variegated, yet paramount aspects of warfare: "Their presence introduced a new era in the development of the army and was to mark greater and far-reaching changes." Initially, the Sikhs hated the drills and discipline introduced, but the French persevered and Ranjit Singh was so impressed that he then asked them to train an all arms brigade, the Fauj-i-Khas, later called Francese Camps. Eventually, Ranjit Singh’s army transformed from the lackadaisical "fauji" to a perfect force which became a force to reckon with, to the extent that during the Anglo-Sikh wars, the British were astounded by the initial rout they faced. It was the French who had honed the bellicose skills and chivalry of the Sikh soldier to near perfection. The book reflects detailed research work expressed in a flawless text. The expression is mellifluous and captive on a subject, which had the tendency to turn mundane. Even though the French were the last to jostle their way into the ensuing struggle for power among the Europeans, their assertive genius brought them on a par with the British. This study sponsored by the United Services Institute encompasses the entire period of French military influence in India. In 1674, it commences with their coming and concludes, with the kingdom of Ranjit Singh. Spanning almost two centuries, traversing the tedious terrain from Bengal, Tranvancore, Hyderabad, Awadh and finally Punjab, the author has deftly researched the French sojourn as well as juxtaposed it with the others who have been part of the vanquished team, i.e. the Portuguese and the Dutch. Pictures facilitate a reconstruction of past histories. Some of the scarcely accessed maps from the India office library, especially those of Aurangabad and Shahjehanabad, are interesting. Research ferrets interesting information. The term "cipayee" is of French origin, whereas, it is attributed to British etymology "The germ of the ‘cipayee’ army, which became so famous, was formed by Francois Martin in the arming, drilling and training of natives after the fashion of European soldiers." Of course, the British tweaked it for their itinerant armies. They accentuated the efficiency of the European battle forces wrestling for the colonial pie. Whether seen in the "cipayee" forces raised by Martin, or exploited later by Bussy in the Deccan, or the corps of Raymond in Hyderabad and De Borgne with the Sindhias or with the Fauj-i –Khas, it was their emphasis on discipline which culminated in the esperit de corps of the French brigades in Sindhias’ forces or in the Fauj-i-Khas of Punjab. An extremely well crafted
military treatise by a general who does not lag behind any contemporary
wordsmith. Unfortunately, this becomes a posthumous tribute to a great
soldier and an accomplished writer as he passed away, as this review was
in the pipeline. |
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