Army of India facts for kids
The Army of India was the name for the military forces in India between 1903 and 1947. It was made up of two main parts: the British Indian Army and the British Army in India.
The British Indian Army was formed from soldiers recruited in India. It also included British officers who lived and worked there. The British Army in India consisted of soldiers from the United Kingdom who were sent to India for a temporary time. After their duty, they would go to other parts of the British Empire or back home. Together, these two groups formed the Army of India.
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How the Army of India Was Formed
A very important person named Lord Kitchener became the top military leader in India (the Commander-in-Chief) from 1902 to 1909. He made big changes to how the army was organized.
Kitchener's Important Changes
Before Lord Kitchener, there were three separate armies in India. These belonged to different regions called "presidencies." Kitchener brought these three armies together into one strong force. He also created larger army groups called "divisions." There were eight of these new divisions. He made sure that both Indian and British soldiers worked together in these groups.
After Lord Kitchener's changes:
- The Indian Army was the group of soldiers recruited from India. They were based in India permanently. British officers also served with them.
- The British Army in India was made up of units from the main British Army. These units were sent to India for a short time. After their duty, they would move to other parts of the British Empire or return to the UK.
- Both the Indian Army and the British Army in India were combined. This combined force was known as the Army of India.
The Army of India in World War II
During the Second World War, the Army of India played an important role. After the fall of Singapore in early 1942, some American and Chinese military units were also placed under the command of the Army of India. This lasted until a new command, called South East Asia Command (SEAC), was created in August 1943.
Who Led the Army of India?
The highest-ranking officer in charge of the Army of India was the Commander-in-Chief in India. This military leader reported to the Governor-General, who was the top civilian leader in British India. The Commander-in-Chief's main office was called GHQ India.
See also
In Spanish: Ejército del Raj británico para niños
