Viceroy's commissioned officer facts for kids

A Viceroy's Commissioned Officer (VCO) was a special kind of senior officer in the British Indian Army. These officers were Indian, and they held a special "commission" (like an official appointment) given by the Viceroy, who was the top British official in India. VCOs were higher in rank than warrant officers in the British Army. They were also called "Indian officers" or "native officers." However, they only had authority over Indian soldiers and were always below British officers and other Indian officers who had a "King's Commission." Today, similar ranks exist in the Indian Army and Pakistan Army, where they are known as junior commissioned officers.

History of Indian Officers

For a long time under British rule, the highest ranks an Indian soldier could reach were the VCO ranks. All the top "commissioned officers" (the ones with full command) were British. But things slowly started to change. This change was called "Indianisation," meaning more Indians were allowed into higher positions.

In 1905, a new type of commission was created for Indians who trained at the Imperial Cadet Corps. This commission was limited; these officers could only command Indian troops and couldn't rise above the rank of Major.

During World War I, starting in 1917, Indians from good families could study at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst in Britain. If they passed, they became King's Commissioned Indian Officers (KCIOs). These officers had more authority than VCOs. By the time India became independent in 1947, many Indian and Pakistani officers had graduated from Sandhurst or the Indian Military Academy in India.

Ranks and Their Roles

In 1914, VCOs held different ranks depending on their army branch, like cavalry (soldiers on horseback) or infantry (foot soldiers).

• Cavalry Ranks:

* Rissaldar-Major: This was the highest Indian officer rank in the cavalry. They advised British officers and commanded troops. * Rissaldar: Similar to a Captain, they commanded a troop of cavalry. * Ressaidar: A junior troop commander, like a Lieutenant. * Jemadar: The lowest VCO rank, similar to a Second Lieutenant, commanding a small group of soldiers called a platoon.

• Infantry and Artillery Ranks:

* Subadar-Major: The highest Indian officer rank in the infantry and artillery. They advised British officers and commanded units. * Subadar: Similar to a Lieutenant, they commanded a company of soldiers. * Jemadar: Like in the cavalry, a Second Lieutenant who commanded a platoon.

There was usually only one Rissaldar-Major or Subadar-Major per regiment. These senior VCOs acted as a link between the Indian soldiers and the British officers. They also helped guide younger, less experienced British officers. Sometimes, they could even command their own independent units.

Special Appointments and Honors

• King's Indian Orderly Officers: From 1903, a few VCOs were chosen each year to serve as honorary bodyguards for the King in the United Kingdom. This was a great honor.
• Woordie-Major: In the Indian cavalry, a Woordie-Major helped the British adjutant (a senior officer who manages daily activities). This was a promotion for capable junior VCOs.
• Honorary Ranks: VCOs could receive honorary promotions, like a Rissaldar-Major being given the honorary rank of Captain. This often happened when they retired. It was a way to show respect and also meant they received a higher pension (retirement money).

What VCOs Did

The term "Viceroy's Commissioned Officer" was officially used from 1885. These ranks were created to help British officers communicate better with their Indian troops. VCOs were usually experienced soldiers with good service records. Many could speak some English. They acted as a bridge, sharing information between the British officers and the Indian soldiers, and advising British officers on Indian customs and issues.

VCOs were treated with respect. Even British officers would address them respectfully, for example, as "subedar sahib" (sahib means "master" or "sir"). However, only Indian soldiers saluted VCOs; European soldiers and officers did not. Also, VCOs did not eat their meals with British officers; they had their own separate mess (dining area).

By 1914, in an Indian infantry battalion, there were 16 VCOs for every 14 British officers. In some special regiments, like the Silladar Cavalry, there were fewer British officers. This meant VCOs in these regiments had more freedom and higher status. A troop (similar to an infantry company) was commanded by an Indian officer, who could even rise to command a squadron (a larger cavalry unit).

Rank Insignia

From the late 1800s, VCOs wore special badges on their shoulders to show their rank:

• Jemadars wore one metal star.
• Subadars and Rissaldars wore two metal stars.
• In the Indian Infantry, a Subadar-Major wore one silver metal crown.
• In the Indian Cavalry, Rissaldar-Majors first wore three silver metal stars, which later changed to a metal crown.

The exact insignia could sometimes vary slightly between different armies or regions.