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
