For most Victorians India was the jewel of the Empire. By far the most populous and valuable of the British possessions, much imperial policy was devoted to securing it, particularly against the supposed threat from Russia. India’s native forces were primarily devoted to domestic duties, particularly defending the North-West and North-East frontiers, but after the British crown took over control of these forces in 1858 they were called upon to serve in various campaigns beyond their own borders, mostly in Africa and elsewhere in Asia. Indian infantry was regarded as very much of mixed quality at the time, but those raised from the ‘martial races’ were considered to be excellent and were usually chosen for service abroad. Famously it was Indian infantry that was first into Peking in 1900 to relieve the siege of the legations

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