The Sikh Army in 15mm

 

Above, two units of armoured Gorchurra.  This is the Sikh nobility heavily invested in the continuance of the Sikh State. Equipment apart they fought in exactly the same fashion as the less wealthy Gorchurra.

We see them again with their less well armoured compatriots.   

My first brigade of Khalsa Regulars, four battalions in all. Depending on where and when Khalsa Regulars might be rated as Veteran, Drilled elite or Recruit Elite.  Exceptionally, like the Sikh Brigades at Mudki, Veteran Elite.

My second Khalsa brigade comprising of three battalions.

My third brigade of Khalsa Regulars.  Four battalions. 

I have nearly enough figures for another battalion. Well, maybe I will bring them up to strength later on.

I have three brigades of Sikh Regular Cavalry raised and trained on the French Model.

Sikh Regular Cuirassiers above.

Sikh Regular Lancers with supporting Horse Artillery.

Sikh Regular Dragoons.  I need to glue on a couple of flags detached during re-basing.

Something different here.  Akali or Nihangs religiously devoted warriors.  Three units.  The black and red bordered flag is historically attested.

The sort of force that might turn out to defend their locality.  Ordinary farmers who could shoot and handle a sword.  Note the guns.  The Punjab didn't lack for ordinance.

More Gorchurra.  Note the supporting Camel gunners. I'm rating them as ultra light guns.

Another assembly of Sikh Levies above.

A closer look at the unarmoured Gorchurra above and below.

Last, but certainly not least the Sikh Regular Artillery.

Two batteries, tubes cast in Lahore.  

The excellent Sikh gunners were in fact Moslems.  The Sikh State was multi confessional.

And, bar an elephant or three to pull the guns, that's it.  Oh, I have some bullock teams on order too. 

Now we need to try them out.

A British Army for the Anglo-Sikh Wars

My Anglo-Sikh War collection began in the last century. Consequently this post will remind me of what I have and what I might need to add.  Above, the Rifles.

I also need to rate my forces for the Anglo-Sikh Wars.  It has occasioned much thought and some revisions to my previous thinking.  Research will do that.  A good thing and of course the thinking doesn’t stop.

Mostly the British liked a 2-1 combination. That is two native units to one British one.  The latter could be Company or HM.  Apart from the irregulars all were trained in the British manner. Drilled seems a reasonable category for all of the Regulars.

There is the question of superiority of British units.  In fact there was little observable difference in performance or staying power. Yet, the British commanders thought that there was. To model this I’m trying out the British units as Drilled Elite and the Sepoys and Sowars as simply Drilled.

A second question is what of the vaunted British Fire Power?  Experimentally I intend to limit the potential +D3 result to British Infantry units. Sepoys will not benefit.

The cavalry also followed the 2-1 model

Another Brigade.  Note the Governor General's Body Guard in the back rank.

The final Regular cavalry Brigade. It could do with another unit of Bengal Native Cavalry.  Or, maybe I will just attach the Horse Artillery.

The Indian irregular cavalry were a key component of the Army.  You see three such units below.

The British fielded a lot of artillery often of lighter calibre that that of the Sikhs.

You see all of my British artillery below.

I realise I have no Bengal Native Artillery.

No shortage of guns though.

Various British Commanders below including two versions of Sir Hugh Gough.  Governor General Hardinge's there too.

You can see my entire Anglo-Sikh War British Collection on this page. It has been quite a journey. We will see the Sikhs next time. 

An Anglo-Sikh Wars Appendix for Republic to Empire

 

Here are some suggestions to enable you to use Barry Hilton’s Republic to Empire to game the battles of the Anglo-Sikh Wars.  These deal with Sikh Gorchurra, Akali, Matchlock men, Artillery, British infantry fire-power and more.

You can find the rationale for much that follows in my various articles on the Anglo-Sikh Wars posted on this blog.  Should Republic to Empire not be your cup of tea I hope you will still find the following of interest.  

Above, my final unit of Khalsa Regulars. The following pic's are the newest and last ones of my Anglo-Sikh Wars Collection. Yes, it is really finished-apart from some artillery elephants.

Traitor Generals

Should the Sikh General prove to be a traitor double cost of all MPs for Sikh Brigade Actions.  Roll a D6 on a score of 1 the General is a traitor and is removed from the Battle Field. I see a possible application here for India 1857 in respect of Sepoy units without a General Officer Commanding.

Cold Steel Assaults

Senior British Commanders liked to assault with cold steel.  Roll a D6, on a score of 6 two British Brigades enter the battle unloaded.  On a score of 5, one British Brigade does so.  Such brigades can only fire after their first attempted charge home.

Cavalry v Cavalry Broad Strokes

British and Indian regular cavalry fight Sikh regular cavalry as written in Republic to Empire.

Gorchurra and Indian irregular cavalry fight each other as written in Republic to Empire.

The Gorchurra

Gorchurra move as light cavalry in column of march and fight in column of squadrons.

Gorchurra are never disordered by melee.

Before melee they shoot, throw a D3 the result is the number of shooting dice.

Range is point blank.

Any casualties caused make opponents do an officer casualty check.

Armoured Gorchurra count as cuirassiers in melee.

British and Indian regular cavalry will pass through the Gorchurra post melee regardless of the combat result.

Gorchurra may then turn to face at a cost of 1mp.

Add Resolve Check minus to Gorchurra if under artillery fire.

Indian Irregular Cavalry

Indian Irregular Cavalry move as light cavalry in column of march and fight in column of squadrons.

Some Indian Irregular Cavalry shoot, if so equipped, throw a D3 the result is the number of shooting dice. Measure for range.

Indian Irregular Cavalry are never disordered by melee.

Add Resolve Check minus to Indian Irregular Cavalry if under artillery fire.

 

British regular cavalry

British regular cavalry, except charging Lancers, fight as disordered against Gorchurra. 

Post melee British regular cavalry measure their outcome move from the point that they passed through the Gorchurra.  That is, immediately behind the Gorchurra and facing the same direction of their initial charge.

Indian regular cavalry

Indian regular cavalry count, -2 on the Resolve Check Procedure if ordered to charge Gorchurra.

If an Indian regular cavalry unit refuses to charge, but holds position, they may shoot, throw a D3 the result is the number of shooting dice. Measure for range. 

Indian regular cavalry, except charging Lancers, fight as disordered against Gorchurra. 

Artillery

The Sikh regular artillery outperformed its British counter parts.  Rate Sikh regular artillery as veteran. British as trained.  There is good evidence from 1857 that Sepoy Artillery outshot and were more accurate than their British equivalents. So perhaps British Native Artillery should be rated as the Sikh artillery.  Sikh Irregular artillery as trained or recruit.

Matchlock Men

Sikh irregular foot using matchlocks or jezails shoot as Recruits.  This reflects the slower loading and various ranges of their firearms.

In combat they gain the “Pike” bonus and, as they are never disordered by melee, keep it.

British Regular Infantry

British infantry fire power was impressive.

Conditions in India often were not ideal.

The heat was hard upon the British infantry. Forced marching doubly so.

Sometimes their Generals threw them into combat without adequate rest and refreshment.

After deployment throw a D6. 

On a score of 1,2,3 the British infantry gain a D3 result of extra shooting dice as written in Republic to Empire.

On a score of 4,5,6 they do not.

I'm not applying this to Sepoy units.

Khalsa Infantry and Artillery

Khalsa Infantry and Artillery gain a D3 result of additional dice in the first round of melee.

Akali

Akali warriors should be Guard or Veteran.

They may shoot, throw a D3, the result is the number of shooting dice available. Measure for range.

In combat they gain the “Pike” bonus and, as they are never disordered by melee, keep it.

Where next on this?  We are going to see both armies and then a try out game.

 

Kit Foxes Warrior Society-Yellow Ribbon

 

This is my penultimate Warrior Society.  All from Minifigs.

I have painted these as Northern Cheyenne.  That means lots of buckskins.  The Southern Cheyenne used a lot more cloth for leggings and such like.

I have been fairly sparing of using full feather head dresses.  These tended to be the province of truly renowned warriors.  Red Cloud's son Jack Red Cloud borrowed his father's war bonnet and rifle and headed out with the lads to teach Crook what day it was. In reality Jack was just a boy.

The war bonnet attracted the Crow. Promptly, they unhorsed young Jack. He made a run for it. They caught him and whipped him, took his rifle and the war bonnet. They insulted him as an impostor.  Specifically, they mocked him for leaving his bridle on his horse. a thing that no true warrior would ever do.  Jack's bridle was ornamented with Silver Dollars. The Crow took that too.  Jack begged the Crow to either stop insulting him or to kill him.  They did neither.  Duty called elsewhere and  Jack lived to a ripe old age.

Above, the Kit Foxes out for Lunch. Big Buffalo QRF, little ones Peter Pig and Irregular.

Some Packers out of luck with the Kit Foxes. I have about 18 warriors on foot left to paint and then it is project work done. Project play can then begin. 

Next time on the Plains we will see my Indian Village.  However, next week we are returning to the Punjab as another project comes to fruition.

Head Quarters detachment 2-Yellow Ribbon

 

Above Head Quarters Detachment on the move.

Before we do anything else let’s take another look at tribal hair styles.  Today it is the Shoshone. Distinctive enough for recognition I'd say. Not easily confused with the Crow, Rees or Sioux we have seen so far. 

 

The Shoshone scouted for Crook and fought alongside the Crow at the Rosebud.  As you can see they wore their hair loose with the top hair combed (or greased) high.  I intend adding a small band of Shoshone to Crook’s Command.  Six or eight figures including a lad in feather War Bonnet as their Leader.

The General and pals have ridden ahead with the Indian Scouts, Crow in this case. Below, at the head of HQ Detachment.

Now, more US cavalry.  All from QRF mounted. Somewhat under strength at 12 rather than 16 figures. Here we have B Company 2nd US Cavalry.  They are attached to Head Quarters tasked with ensuring the protection of supplies and provisions and anything else the General might command. 

 

Horses and horse holders.

Deployed for skirmishing.

 

Here another skirmish line on foot, Peter Pig tepees in the background.. 

These are a mixture of Minifigs, Peter Pig and QRF.  Proof positive that they mix well.  Good news for those of us gaming the period.  I nearly wrote heading West but that has other connotations.

Here is my Gatling.  I doubt I will use it very often.  Now and then though, certainly.

 

It is from QRF and is a nice piece at a good price. Again, with a Minifigs Crew.

The Ambulance.  Another from QRF and I’m happy with it.  It will have an important role in some games.  Above, you see it with the Medical Staff.  Military Doctors and their assistants tended to be very good.  There was a lot of learning in the ACW. Civilian hires might be good, or not. I have yet to add the driver to the ambulance.

More mules and Packers.  Note the boy with the (L) on his base.  Yellow Ribbon requires the Packers to have a Leader.  This is he.

This is the complete Mule Train. Ten mules in all.

With that Head Quarters Detachment is done.  Next, The Kit Foxes Warrior Society.