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date from the year 1748, when a small force of
sepoys and Europeans was enrolled at Madras.
In 1757 a similar force was raised in Bengal. The
Sepoys were commanded by English officers ; the
English force comprised infantry and artillery,
The company’s authority to raise forces was the
charter of 1753.
By the year 1772 the force consisted of 3,500
Europeans and 24,000 natives, with more than 600
officers, in Bengal; 3,000 Europeans, 16,000 natives,
and 600 officers, in Madras; and 2,500 Europeans,
3,500 natives, and 200 officers, in Bombay.
The first regiment of the British Army sent to
India was the 39th Foot, which arrived in Madras
in 1754; this was followed by two other regiments
in 1759. From 1763 to 1779 India was without
royal troops.

The Indian Army gradually increased down to
1796, when it was re-organized on a system which
continued in force down to 1861. After the Mahratta
war had been brought to an end, the forces were
reduced to a permanent peace footing and stood
at 24,500 Europeans and 1,30,000 natives. In
addition to these there were various local forces,
and, in 1857, the army stood at about 2,80,000, all
told. of whom about 45,000 were Europeans.
Since the Mutiny large police forces have been
organized provincially, the native army has been
much reduced, and the English army increased.