The Sepoy

A collection of sketches profiles the diverse types of Indian soldiers the author met during wartime service, combining firsthand observation with officers' testimony and official sources. Each chapter focuses on a particular class—Gurkha, Sikh, Punjabi Mussalman, Pathan, Dogra, Mahratta, Jat, Rajput, and others—detailing appearance, customs, unit traditions, and battlefield behaviour. The book outlines pre-war army composition and enlistment patterns, explains key vernacular terms such as izzat and jiwan, and treats auxiliary labour and follower roles. Throughout, the author emphasizes limits of outsider understanding and relies on regimental authority to assess temperament and value.