Completed Havildar 36th Sikh Regiment, 1897

[Briggsy]

For this project I am returning to one of my favourite subjects, the Indian Army.

The 36th was originally a Bengal Native Infantry Regiment but was short lived being raised in May 1858 and lasting only until 1882.

In 1887 the Regiment was raised again as the 36th Sikh Regiment, then became the 4th Battalion of the 11th Sikh Regiment in 1922.

The Regiment is best known for a battle at the end of the Tirah Campaign in Afghanistan. The battle of Saragarhi saw Haildar (Sergeant) Share Singh lead 21 Sikh soldiers in the defence of a small out post against an estimated 12,000 to 24,000 Orakzai and Afridi tribesmen. The small Garrison fought to the bitter end with no survivors, the outpost was retaken 2 days later by a joint British and Indian Army force.

There doesn't seem to be a great deal of information concerning the uniform of the Regiment, WY Carman simply states "The coat was scarlett with yellow facings and gold lace for officers. A red turban was worn and a badge of crossed quoits was a distinction of this Regiment ."

Taken from the Regimental website the badge looked like this;



A photograph of the soldiers of the Regiment also from the same website shows the pattern of the full dress of this Regiment.



Then taken from the Osprey Indian Infantry Regiments 1860-1924, gives an illustration of this same uniform but worn by the 15th Bengal Infantry (Ludhiana Sikhs) in 1898.



All images are thumbnails nails.

Cheers Simon

 

[Briggsy]

Right that's the history sorted, on to the build.

The bare bones of the figure.



The boots and puttees are courtesy of Stefan (Warhammer Adjacent) of this site and are beautifully 3D printed. The upper legs, waist and torso are Historex spares, the head is I believe a Nemrod piece. The Martini Henry is from El Greco Miniatures and the bayonet was kindly supplied by RJ also of this site.

Initial stages of creating thos figure look like this.



Again thumbnail images.

I'll post again as soon as I have got some progress under my belt.

Cheers Simon

 

[Nap]

Hi Simon

Great to see what’s next ....and Indian Army as well ....excellent choice so many wonderful uniforms to see

Good start with the basic bits n’ bobs

Looking forward to seeing more when possible

Happy benchtime

Nap

 

[WarhammerAdjacent]

Looking good so far, I'm glad to see the feet going to good use.

I'm tempted to have a bash at the Bengal Infantry chap in the picture you shared, I'm pretty sure Hidalgo do a figure that would work.

 

[theBaron]

Cool subject, Simon! I look forward to following this one, too.

Prost!
Brad

 

[David Spencer]

Another original subject and a new challenge.
This looks very interesting.

 

[Briggsy]

Kevin, Stefan, Brad and David, thank you gentlemen for your faith in me! I'm at the stage, same with every figure, that I'll balls this up somewhere along the line, then again if I felt confident at he start of every project it wouldn't be a challenge.

I know the Colonial.past isn't very popular these days and with a sociologist as a son I have to guard what I say, but the Indian Army is a real favourite subject.

Stefan I don't know Hidalgo as a brand but why the heck not there are such variations in Indian Army uniform over the John Company and Raj days I could stick with it and never run out of original subjects.

Cheers Simon

 

[arj]

Nice start on the build Simon.
I look forward to seing this one develop.

The group photo that you posted was somewhat indistinct.
Perhaps this version will be a little more clear with the details:-

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[lightbob]

Hello Simon,
Looking forward to seeing how this figure comes to life. Like you I am keen on the British Indian Army. Although it does not have a lot in the way of information and images on the 36th Sikh Regiment, I find the section on the land forces of The British Empire website a useful source on this area.
Below are the links for the Army section and the home page of the site:-
Land forces of the British Empire
The British Empire
A few years ago I watched the Indian made film about The Battle of Saragarhi on Amazon. I think the film is called Kesari As may be known to some Planeteers, at the time of the battle 1897, the highest award for gallantry open to Indians was The Indian Order of Merit. Every soldier in the garrison was awarded this medal ,sadly posthumously.
On a par with Rorke's Drift at the very least, but sadly without a positive outcome for the defenders.
Must save up and get some more of The Indian Army cavalry made by El Taller.

Good Luck with the project.

Yours,
Douglas ala Lightbob

 

[Nap]

Hi Simon

Just for info ALL the persons in the picture from Andrew wear the Indian Order of Merit ....WOW!

Look forward to seeing more...your Osprey ref has 4 medals ...enjoy

Have fun at the bench

Nap

 

[Briggsy]

Nice start on the build Simon.
I look forward to seing this one develop.

The group photo that you posted was somewhat indistinct.
Perhaps this version will be a little more clear with the details:-

View attachment 501965

Cheers,
Andrew

Cheers Andrew that is a better image, although all are junior ranks so I'll have to add the SNCO crimson sash.

Cheers Simon

 

[mick3272]

Nice subject matter. will be following.
Found this link I thought very informative .https://www.sikhmuseum.org.uk/battle-of-saragarhi-the-last-stand-of-21-sikhs/

I Did find this Pic but alas no Havildar's just Officers.

Mick

 

[Nap]

Cheers Andrew that is a better image, although all are junior ranks so I'll have to add the SNCO crimson sash.

Cheers Simon

Simon

Out of interest the one with the sash is a Officer , you can just make out the single pip on the epaulettes

Nap

 

[Briggsy]

Hello Simon,
Looking forward to seeing how this figure comes to life. Like you I am keen on the British Indian Army. Although it does not have a lot in the way of information and images on the 36th Sikh Regiment, I find the section on the land forces of The British Empire website a useful source on this area.
Below are the links for the Army section and the home page of the site:-
Land forces of the British Empire
The British Empire
A few years ago I watched the Indian made film about The Battle of Saragarhi on Amazon. I think the film is called Kesari As may be known to some Planeteers, at the time of the battle 1897, the highest award for gallantry open to Indians was The Indian Order of Merit. Every soldier in the garrison was awarded this medal ,sadly posthumously.
On a par with Rorke's Drift at the very least, but sadly without a positive outcome for the defenders.
Must save up and get some more of The Indian Army cavalry made by El Taller.

Good Luck with the project.

Yours,
Douglas ala Lightbob

Hi Douglas, a fascinating subject is the Indian Army, I have quite a few older figures made in 1/35th. The 36th wore the same uniform as other Bengal Army Regiments and both the Osprey book and WY Carmen say the facings were yellow, he also adds the detail of a red turban so a lack of illustrations can be lived with.

The British Empire website is a great resource, also Chater Paul Chaters bookand McMunns are great. The best though are Carmans books on the Cavalry and Infantry, well worth having if you can find them second hand.

It has been a while since I did anything Indian so I will rather enjoy this project.

Cheers Simon

 

[Briggsy]

Hi Simon

Just for info ALL the persons in the picture from Andrew wear the Indian Order of Merit ....WOW!

Look forward to seeing more...your Osprey ref has 4 medals ...enjoy

Have fun at the bench

Nap

Cheers Kev, I'll be basing this figure on the full dress uniform as they all wore khaki drab on the Tirah Campaign and that's a bit dull. I might well add an Indian Order of Merit and a campaign medal or two just to bling the fella up for you!

Cheers Simon

 

[Briggsy]

Nice subject matter. will be following.
Found this link I thought very informative .https://www.sikhmuseum.org.uk/battle-of-saragarhi-the-last-stand-of-21-sikhs/

I Did find this Pic but alas no Havildar's just Officers.

Mick


View attachment 501980

Cheers Mick, that image is in the Osprey book, I am definitely not going to do an officer as there is no reference I can find on the colours of the lungi which is a shame. With a quality copy of the image I could probably manage a tonal variation best guess but that is all it would be. There are plenty of other regiments with colour illustrations all waiting for future production.

Thanks for the link to the website.

Cheers Simon

 

[Briggsy]

Simon

Out of interest the one with the sash is a Officer , you can just make out the single pip on the epaulettes

Nap

Yes the sash goes left to right, a SNCO would be right to left. Also of interest in this and the picture Mick posted, they were a steel quoit on the turban. This is simply a sharp edged steel circle that is a traditional Sikh weapon for throwing at the enemy, it's going to be a bit of a challenge but that just makes it more interesting!

Cheers Simon

 

[WarhammerAdjacent]

Yes the sash goes left to right, a SNCO would be right to left. Also of interest in this and the picture Mick posted, they were a steel quoit on the turban. This is simply a sharp edged steel circle that is a traditional Sikh weapon for throwing at the enemy, it's going to be a bit of a challenge but that just makes it more interesting!

Cheers Simon

The quoit or Chakra sounds like the kind of thing one could easily 3d print and incorporate into a sculpted turban. Let me know if you want me to have a bash as it shouldn't take more than a few minutes to design.

 

[BRAN]

Hello Briggs, the pose is very nice with the bust slightly rotated. It may be due to the photo, but it seems a little big to me, 7 heads high is generally to represent "heroes". I think it comes from the boots, the 3D ones are a little higher than the original boots, I measured this on photos, so nothing is certain. I'm posting the result of my measurements below, hoping that it will help you have the most accurate anatomy possible.

 

[NigelR]

Another challenging and intriguing project, following with interest.....