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Bodyguard to the Governor of Bengal.
- The Raj, Indian Mutiny

Bodyguard to the Governor of Bengal

My limited edition soldier depicts the Bodyguard to the Governor of Bengal c.1857 at the time of the Indian Sepoy Mutiny or Great Uprising that began when Sepoys from the Bengal Army mutinied.

The Indian Mutiny seriously threatened British rule in India and was the culmination of resentment toward British social and political policies.The spark that lit the fire was the result of a rumour about using new cartridges for the Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle that were greased with animal fat, rumoured to now be a combination of pig-fat and cow-fat. This was offensive to the religious beliefs of both Muslim and Hindu sepoys respectively, who refused to use the cartridges and, under provocation, finally mutinied against their British officers.

Although the rebellious sepoys fought with great bravery, the British were victorious due to superior leadership and organization, as well as the fact that the majority of the sepoys remained loyal to the British. The Sikh sepoys and Gurkhas were the most reliable of all the native troops, partly because they had no affinity with the Hindus and Muslims and were somewhat suspicious of the mutineers. Another reason was that they had a long tradition of military service, such that they felt bound to follow the orders of those to whom they had pledged their service.

The most famous Governor of Bengal was Clive of India. Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive (1725-1774). A military commander and governor of India. he entered the British East India Company’s service in Madras at the age of eighteen. At the peak of his fame he was to conquer Bengal and drive the French from India at the Battle of Plasey 1757. At the end of his career he left India with a firmly British Style Civil Service that would endure until India achieved independence in 1947. It was Clive in India who laid the foundation for the vast British empire that was to follow.

British Raj Colonial Soldier Collection

Click here for details of the hand carved wooden British Raj Soldiers.

Wooden Soldier Regimental Histories

All of our wooden soldiers are made in strictly limited editions, click here for a regimental history of each soldier.