Stanford University Press Faithful Fighters - British Indian Army History Book

Explore the complex history of the British Indian Army during the first four decades of the twentieth century. This book examines the perceived racial and religious inclusivity within the military during a period of intense anti-colonial activism. It provides a deep look into the recruitment of the "Martial Races," a diverse group of soldiers including British Christians, Hindustani Muslims, Punjabi Sikhs, Hindu Rajputs, Pathans from northwestern India, and Gurkhas from Nepal. Readers will learn how military officials managed loyalty and discipline by incorporating specific religious traditions into army life. The text details how the institution facilitated practices such as the fast of Ramadan for Muslim soldiers to maintain order. This scholarly work from Stanford University Press offers a detailed perspective on how identity and power functioned within one of the most significant military forces of the era.