Modern Hyderabad (Deccan)/Chapter 16
CHAPTER XVI.
The State Army.
The army of H. H. the Nizam, which is by far the largest army of any native ruler in India, consists of irregular troops, regular troops, the Golconda Brigade, the Imperial Service troops, the Nizam Mahbub regiment, and volunteers.
The Irregular Forces, which have to-day an average strength of 13,533, date back to the time of Asaf Jah, and their ancestors were the Arabs, Rohillas, Afghans, Sikhs, Rahtores, Rajputs, and Baluchis who helped the first Nizam to conquer and settle Hyderabad. H. E. the Minister says of them in the administration report for 1320-21 Fasli (October 1910-12) : — "The reduction in the number of irregular troops goes on slowly. Vested interests have to be res- pected, but the cost of these irregulars, twenty-three and a quarter lakhs a year, is still a very heavy burden to the State." These irregulars I saw in all their glory on Langar day, 1913; and, in many cases, they seemed to know little of drill and discipline, to wear their own clothes or old-world uniforms, and to carry antique weapons. Some were old, others were boys, and I was told that these picturesque soldiers guard the palaces of His Highness and the great nobles of Hyderabad, furnish escorts, and in the districts, protect the treasuries, escort the mails, and help to discover and arrest dacoits.
The Regular Forces date from 1858 A.D. When the attack was made on the British Residency in Hyderabad, in 1857, most of the Contingent troops had gone to British India to fight there against the mutineers; and afterwards Sir Salar Jung I thought that in an armed State like Hyderabad there ought to be a State army on which H. H. the Nizam could depend in case of internal insurrection and rebellion. So in 1858 he gave power to the Raja of Wonpurty to organise a small army, with guns, which was to be called "the Nizam's Field Force." To this little army more men and more guns were added, also Nawab Nizam Yar Jung's Cavalry; and in 1868 the Nizam's Field Force developed into the Nizam's Regular Forces, with Major Rooke as Commandant.
The Nizam's Regular Forces, which havt to-day an average strength of 46 officers and 3,053 men, are well-armed and well-disciplined, and would, no doubt, if called upon to take the field, do the State great credit. They are composed chiefly of Deccan Mahomedans, other Mahomedans, Rajputs, Maharatas, and Brahmins. The African Cavalry Guards, which now form the bodyguard of His Highness, are all Africans, and it is found very difficult to keep up the strength of this regiment, which began in 1858 with some African slave boys, who were trained and mounted by the Raja of Wonpurty.
The Imperial Service troops comprise 8 officers and 688 men; and it must not be forgotten that these troops, which now take a prominent place in every native State in India of size and importance, are the direct outcome of the 60 lakhs of rupees offered by H. H. the late Nizam to the British Government, in 1886, for the defence of the Frontier. His example was followed by other Indian princes, and the Government of India then decided that the Indian ruling chiefs should be allowed to raise properly trained and equipped forces to fight side by side with the British regiments in case of need.*[1]
The total cost of the Military Establishment was in 1321 Fasli (1912 A.D.), Rs. 52,34.272; and almost half of this money went to pay for the irregular troops, which are now out-of-date and almost useless.
The Regular Forces have several regimental bands, and the most important of them — H. H. the Nizam's band — is composed of string as well as wind instruments, and is conducted by an experienced bandmaster.
The hospitals and dispensaries for the troops I did not see, but I was told that an up-to-date military hospital "has been promised."
The pay of the troops varies from eight to fifteen rupees a month for the Regular Forces and the Imperial Service. Troops can add three rupees a month to their pay by good conduct. Most of the troops are stationed in or near the capital, but some are in the chief towns in the districts. The State Army appears to be fairly popular as a means of earning a living, and there is no dearth of officers. These privileged gentlemen have a fine club on the Fateh Maidan, a suburb of Hyderabad city, and they enjoy sports and races at the local gymkhana, in fact, they have a very good time, if one may judge by their appearance.
- ↑ * Since this was written the army of H. H. the Nizam has been largely drawn upon for the Expeditionary Forces sent from India to the seat of war in 1914. We may feel sure that the Hyderabad troops will make history in Europe and return home covered with honour and glory, or fall like heroes on the battlefield.