'The views and opinions of Brigadier General John Jacob, CB. Aide-decamp to the Queen; Aide-de-camp to the Governor General of India, &c. &c. &c.; late commanding in chief the British forces in Persia; at present commanding the Sind Irregular Horse, and Political Superintendent of the North-West frontier of Sind.' [‎127] (158/481)

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their regiments ; they should have all promotions in their
hands, and power to discharge any man of any rank. The
appointment, also, of the subordinate European officers
should rest with them : they should be allowed to go their
own way to work in all things, but be held strictly respon
sible for the efficiency of their regiments in every way;
no excuse should be admitted. If the regiment be not
what Government wishes, and has a right to expect it to
be, the commandant should be removed at once. In fact,
it should be a contract between the commandant and
Government: a good commander will always make a good
regiment. Its state will be the best possible both for the
men and Government. Without a properly qualified com
mander, no rules, orders, nor regulations, will avail in the
least; they will only make bad worse. The sepoy Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. should
never think of looking to higher authority than the com
mander of his regiment, who should be the patriarch of his
tribe, the chief of his clan ; every menber of the regiment
should feel identity of interest with him, and instinctively
look to him as his natural head. Unless this state of things
be fully carried out, the regiment is imperfect; where it
exists, all is healthy and strong. To do justice to silidar
cavalry, Government cannot give commandants too much
power: there should be no rules, no code of laws, nor any
trammels whatever. This I consider essentially the one
thing needful. Whatever trouble it may be supposed to
give Government in the choice of officers, scores of well
qualified men do exist in the Indian armies, and Govern
ment can find them if they think proper to do so.
With regard to making " Horse Guards" of the irregular
cavalry, some grievous errors prevail. It is not the Euro
pean discipline which native gentlemen dislike,—it is the
stable duties, the European riding-school, and all those