Indian soldiers made a pivotal contribution to the British Empire and Great Britain's development from a small, relatively poor island to a dominant military and industrial power. Under the British Crown, following the Mutiny of 1857, India's military became a vital link to holding the Empire together. From the jungles of south-east Asia to the deserts of Africa, and the hills of northeast India to the forests of Burma, the Indian army would become the pride of the Raj. Upon India's independence, the army continued to be one of the finest inheritances of Empire. This book looks at the world of the Indian soldiers who enlisted in the armies of India under British rule, and how they served with such dedication and loyalty. The extent to which the soldiers acted as an effective control over the coercive power of British rule in India is also examined, as well as the implications and logistics involved in running such a complex military machine. The first comprehensive single-volume history of India's soldier's in the British Empire written with flair and rich in detail, True to Their Salt offers a vital new perspective to mark the 75th anniversary of Indian independence.

About the Author
Ravindra Rathee started his career as a journalist with the Times of India in Delhi, writing on human rights and conflict resolution. After graduating from St Stephen's College in Delhi, he studied for an MA in Politics at the University of Hull as a British Chevening Scholar. For the last two decades, he has worked as a banker. This is his first book, stemming from extensive research on the military life of his grandfather.

Reviews
'True to Their Salt is a richly researched account of British India's colonial army and the role it played over centuries of India's social, political, and military development. Ravindra Rathee's extensive use of primary sources makes for a compelling story, and his book is an insightful look at a neglected and deeply important area of Indian history.' -- Dr Shashi Tharoor
'There cannot be enough books on this topic, to make up for historic amnesia ... essential reading.' -- Sathnam Sanghera, author of Empireland
'A book about an important but little discussed aspect of colonial history - the soldiers of the British Indian army. Were they mercenaries, collaborators, war heroes, or victims? Whatever one thinks of them, their importance to the colonial project, and its destruction needs to be remembered.' -- Sanjeev Sanyal, author of Land of the Seven Rivers



Book Information
ISBN 9781398114258
Author Ravindra Rathee
Format Hardback
Page Count 384
Imprint Amberley Publishing
Publisher Amberley Publishing
Weight(grams) 753g