'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.' [‎115] (146/481)

115
The subject of the native army of India was long ago
discussed, and most ably handled by Sir John Malcolm.
(Vide his " Political History and Government of India.")
He well knew the native soldier; his words have now, in
some instances, proved prophetic.
The position of European officers of native regiments,
whether in command or otherwise, is no longer a favourite
position, and the native army has been thereby ruined, as
he foretold that it would be.
(Particularly the army of Bengal.)
Every officer of a native regiment of the line now endea
vours to get away from his corps, to escape from regimental
duty, by every effort in his power. The " refuse " only
remain. All proper feeling is thus totally destroyed between
the native soldier and his European superior.
At the same time, the genius of the Indian, of the Orien
tal generally, has been so little understood, that, with the
best possible intentions at head quarters, the great possible
evil has been caused, by the attempt to govern and treat
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. like an Englishman.
The native soldiers, to be in a really efficient state,
must look on their immediate commander, the head of
the regiment, as their absolute prince,—as the paramount
authority, as far as they are concerned.
Concentrating all real power at head quarters of the
army, and leaving none to the commanding officers of regi
ments, has been attended with ruinous results.
In many instances, 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. has been allowed and
encouraged to look on his regimental commander as his
natural enemy; and, in the Bengal army, at least, to
forward secret complaints against him to army head quar
ters. While courts martial, articles of war, rules and regu
lations, bewilder the native soldier, and fill his mind with