'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.' [‎147] (178/481)

147
silly: they are far better swordsmen than the regulars as it
is. With regard to the riding-school, it is different; and,
if proper pay were allowed, I would establish one,—not of
course precisely in the dragoon style, but appointing some
of the best riders among the old sowars regularly to teach
the recruits to ride after their own fashion, and to drill the
horses. In the Nizam's service this is not required, for
only fully trained men are taken into the service, which the
number of candidates in waiting always enables a com
manding officer to act up to, the service being so popular.
It is different in the Sind Horse. Our pay is small, the
country is not liked, the climate is bad, and everything
very expensive; consequently, our raw material is somewhat
inferior, and to make it equal to the other requires more
labour in working up. Men will rather take service in the
Bengal irregular cavalry than in that of Sind : the difference
of pay is not adequate to the increased expenses and in
conveniences of distance from home, severer discipline, &c.
In my opinion, it would be greatly to the advantage of
Government, and materially add to the strength of the
Indian army, were all the regular (that is bargheer) cavalry
made European,—of course much fewer regiments would
be required, say half the number now existing, the present
cavalry officers of two native regiments being appointed
to one of Europeans; and all the native cavalry made
silidar corps, on a scale of pay and establishment which,
though at a less cost, would enable them to be superior to
any native cavalry now existing. The cost of each trooper
of the regular cavalry of the Bombay army is about Rs. 83
a month. The cost of each man of the Sind Irregular
Horse as it now stands is about Rs. 36; and the cost of
each man of the proposed silidar cavalry would be Rs. 58
monthly. The saving in the native cavalry would pay the