The 19th Punjabis Regiment

We're marchin' on relief over Injia's sunny plains,

   A little front o' Christmas-time an' just be'ind the Rains;

   Ho! get away you bullock-man, you've 'eard the bugle blowed,

   There's a regiment a-comin' down the Grand Trunk Road;

       With its best foot first

       And the road a-sliding past,

       An' every bloomin' campin'-ground exactly like the last;

       While the Big Drum says,

       With 'is “rowdy-dowdy-dow!”—

       “Kiko kissywarsti don't you hamsher argy jow?”

From Route Marchin' by Rudyard Kipling

Advance Guard of the 19th Punjabis led by a Naik (Corporal).

The regiment was formed during the upheaval of the Indian Mutiny in 1857 as the 7th Regiment of Punjab Infantry on the orders of John Lawrence, the British Chief Commissioner of the Punjab, and saw service in North India. In 1864, it participated in the Bhutan war, and during the Second Afghan War of 1878-80, the regiment fought with distinction in the Battle of Ahmed Khel. In 1891, it took part in the Black Hill Expedition and the 2nd Miranzai Expedition on the North West Frontier of India. In 19XX, the 19th Punjab Infantry took part in the British expedition to protect Chaimbellastan which eventually led to the Anglo-Russian War.

My 19th Punjabis Regiment for the fictional Anglo-Russian War, using the rules The Men Who Would be Kings, are figures from Copplestone Castings BU37 Indian Army Muslim Infantry from the excellent Back of Beyond Range. They will also be used for small skirmishes using In Her Majesty Name. The only issue I have with the Back of Beyond packs (a very minor issue) for The Men Who Would be Kings is that they come 10 figures to a pack when the rules I use recommend 12 figures for a Regular Infantry Unit. For the Russians it was easy to solve: Buy a White Russian Officer Pack and Bolshevik Standard Bearers (both come with 4 figures) and problem solved.

War Correspondent Mr. Rudyard Kipling of the Bombay Gazette with the commanding officer and Havildar (sergeant) of the 19th Punjabis.

To create a 12 unit figure using the Copplestone Range for the British Indian Army was more of a challenge. Having a British officer was no problem, but I was still short one figure. The solution I came up with, at least for this unit, was to add a correspondent figure from Artizan Designs that looks remarkably like a certain Nobel Prize winning individual. Then, while browsing for figures, I noticed that Artizan has a pack of Punjabi Officers and a pack of Punjabi NCOs. Oh well. I think eventually they will replace our imbedded journalist.

Searching for bandits.

Engaging the bandits.

The Regiment's nickname is "Sherdil-ki-Paltan" which translates as the Regiment of the Lion-Hearted.

Mopping up.

The Colonel.

The Colonel and the Havildar.

The Havildar joined the Regiment in 1864.

Beware the old man in a young man's profession!

One of the Naiks of the Regiment.

These soldiers are lance naiks (lance corporals).

Off to face a Western Army for the first time.

 Ho! get away you bullock-man, you've 'eard the bugle blowed,

   There's a regiment a-comin' down the Grand Trunk Road;

       With its best foot first

       And the road a-sliding past,

       An' every bloomin' campin'-ground exactly like the last;

       While the Big Drum says,

       With 'is “rowdy-dowdy-dow!”—

       “Kiko kissywarsti don't you hamsher argy jow?”