Aden Indian Bns 1897 and 1898
 

I am interested to learn what Indian Infantry battalions were sent to Aden in 1897 and also in 1898. Can anyone help please?
Quicksilver

There was a small unit 'native to the colony, used for what were euphemistically called 'anti-bandit' activities, though I suspect there were real bandits, smugglers and raiders as well as tribesmen who simply didn't take to British rule.

"The Aden Troop was created in 1855 to police the territory which was technically only 80 square miles but had a vast hinterland of 9000 miles of desert and mountain known as the Aden Protectorate. Its chiefs were nominally under the control of a political resident who was also the military commander.

The Aden troop was recruited from members of Scinde Horse and Poona Horse with an Arab Levy to act as guides. It later substituted its horses for camels and it was generally involved in patrolling against bandits. The troop was later used in Somaliland and existed until its disbandment in 1927." https://www.britishempire.co.uk/maproom/aden.htm

I'm not sure what other troops if any would have been there in '97-'98. Was there something happening then which might have required reinforcements?

Thank you Peter for taking time to reply. There were Indian troops in Aden from early times, but I think that they only started regularly sending battalions from:

1882-1883 22 Bombay Inf.
1884-1885 4 Bombay Rifles.
1886-1887 9 Bombay Inf.
1888-1889 3 Bombay Light Inf.
1890-1891 17 Bombay Inf.
1892-1893 16 Bombay Inf.
1894-1896 13 Bombay Inf.
1897
1898
1899 10 Bombay Light Inf.
1900 5 Bombay Inf.
1901 1 Grenadier Bombay Inf.
This continued up until about 1928
As you can see there are a couple of gaps.
BRgds Quicksilver

I wasn't much help then. Sorry! Wasn't sure how much you already had. :(

Tku Peter. Just tidying up my second edition of THE ARMED FORCES OF ADEN and the PROTECTORATE. I am preparing it for a third edition for early 2021 which will be within the Middle East @ War series.
Quicksilver

'Look, Granny! Here's how you hold the egg.' Now I really feel a silly muggins. My only excuse was lack of context. I should have realized that you were not a 'new boy' asking a very basic question.

All that said,sir, Merry Christmas!

Peter,
I was impressed that you took the time to reply, and I did not expect you to know I have some knowledge on Aden, so thank you for trying to help. I am now wondering if the Indian Regiment in Aden may have been 10th Bombay Light Infantry in 1897 and 1898 but I am unable to find anything on the internet about them there.
All the best,
Cliff

Hi Cliff,

The following from the Bn History of 2 Para, erstwhile 10 Bombay Lt Infy, 'The Glory and the Price' by Lt Gen Mathew Thomas, p.38:
In early 1896 the regiment received orders for move to Aden and left Satara on 25 Nov. On arrival in aden detachments were sent out to Berbera, Zaila, Perim, and Shaikh Othman.
After the period of service in Aden, the Regt returned to India under the command of Lt Col WS Birdwood, in March 1900.

I hope this helps. Good luck with the book.

The 5th Bombay Light Infy (Kali Panchwin) served in Aden from 4 Mar 1900 till 11 Oct 1901.

The 17th Bombay Infy are shown as having served in Aden from Sep 1889 till Dec 1891.

Source: Regimental History of the Maratha Light Infy 'Valour Enshrined' by Lt Col MG Abhyankar.

Thank you Koi Hai for this information. It fills the gap and I appreciate your time and effort getting back to me. The forum is a great place for the interchange of information! Brilliant.
Quicksilver.