ABSTRACT
The Hindustani soldier had many admirable qualities, and under good and sympathetic officers became imbued with a fine sense of Regimental pride. Individually the Hindustani is brave, and does not hesitate to engage a European in single combat; but collectively, probably from want of confidence in their leaders or comrades, they will seldom meet their foe in serried line with sword or bayonet. The petitioners asked for the help of a military force to fight the British troops, and, if it could not be given, that a Gurkha officer might be lent to command each Hindustani battalion. The fidelity of the 37th Bengal Regiment was known to be untrustworthy; the cavalry was regarded as doubtful; but the Lodiana 15th Sikh Regiment, though it contained many Hindustanis, was supposed to be faithful. The Brigadier, who was ill, resigned the command to Neill, to whom all the summary justice meted out under martial law to rebels at Benares has been attributed.
