ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts covered in the preceding chapters of this book. From the dawn of civilization to the present time, warfare in South Asia has been conducted by large armies. And surplus manpower from the agrarian sector provides an available pool for the recruiters. None of the polities in history have had any difficulties in hiring Indian military manpower owing to several reasons. The British used high caste Hindu religious ethos in constructing their regimental traditions. And this regimental ethos continues to operate in the present-day Indian Army. British-India however established a standing army and after 1947, India and Pakistan continue to operate the British regimental traditions. Further, with the rise of non-state armies in South Asia during the new millennium, it seems that the postcolonial states are on the point of losing their monopoly over the military labour market.
