'HISTORY OF THE GREAT WAR BASED ON OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS. THE CAMPAIGN IN MESOPOTAMIA 1914-1918. VOLUME I.' [‎36r] (76/454)

ARMY IN INDIA : PRE-WAR MILITARY POLICY 51
feudatory native states. At that time war with Russia was
not considered a likely contingency; the danger on the
frontiers was negligible ; and the requirements of internal
control were paramount. They recommended certain
reductions in the army which were carried out ; and they
advocated its division into four Army Corps (Punjab, Bengal,
Madras and Bombay). The latter reform was not carried
out till 1895, for the Home authorities were at first averse to
the proposal; and when their approval had been obtained,
it was found that statutory authority was necessary. Its
inauguration had been so long delayed that it had ceased to be
adequate. The areas had been defined mainly by consideration
for their geographical position without regard to the forma
tions, units or numbers of troops located in them ; in other
ways the arrangement was unsuitable ; and moreover, in the
meantime, circumstances had brought about a considerable
change in the factors determining military policy.
Ihe imminence of war with Russia in consequence of her
sudden attack on Afghan troops in 1885, followed by increased
Russian activity in the improvement of communications up to
the Afghan and Persian borders ; our responsibility—incurred
by treaty—for repelling unprovoked foreign aggression on
Afghanistan ; the annexation of Upper Burma ; the occupation
of Baluchistan, Gilgit and Chitral; and the measures taken with
the purpose of strengthening the hold of the Government over
those outlying portions of the North-West Frontier Region of British India bordering Afghanistan. which had
been recognised as falling within their control by the Durand
Frontier Agreement of 1893 with Afghanistan, had all ren
dered the possibility of foreign aggression more apparent and
had accentuated the importance of frontier military control.
At the same time any danger from the feudatory states which
might have been anticipated in former days had disappeared.
The chiefs had come into close contact with the Government
of India. Their position had altered both as regards the
strength and equipment of their forces, and the Imperial
Service Troops system had been inaugurated on a satisfactory
basis.
Regarding these Imperial Service Troops a short explanation
is necessary. Certain of the Ruling Princes had sent contin
gents to assist the British forces in the Afghan war of 1878-1879,
and at the time of the Russian incident of 1885 most of them
had come forward with offers of assistance in men, horses and
money. Most of their armies were then large, ill-trained and
undisciplined and constituted a source of potential danger.