Nagpoor Irregular Horse

[Roy]

Hi Gents,

I'm continuing to do some research (on a non insignia project) and want to ask if anyone has 'any' information on an British Indian Cavalry unit called the 'Nagpoor Irregular Horse' from around the mid nineteenth century.

An image of insignia would be grand (however unlikely) but aside from that any details or information would be of great assistance as I can't seem to find out anything.

Does anyone know anything about this unit!

Thanks in advance, cheers, Roy.

[Roobarb]

Hello Roy,

sadly the insignia is far beyond me although i have found a few references to the unit in printed and digital works.

My copy of 'So they rode and fought' by Major-General S.Shamid Hamid mentions them being part of the Bengal Army (page 99).

Interestingly is appears that the Bengal Army had the largest number of regular and irregular cavalry units out of all the three Presidencies. He has them as being initially formed as part of the Nagpoor Irregular Force circa 1854 and has the unit disbanded in 1861.

Brian Mollo confirms the cavalry component of the NIF in 'The Indian Army' Bengal Irregular Contingents (Page.70).

They are mentioned in this book too with reference to the mutiny period;

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=K...0horse&f=false


And again here;

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=9...0force&f=false

Hopefully, you will find these of interest.


Patrick.

[Roy]

Hi Patrick,

Many thanks indeed and yes just the sort of thing I was looking for. I just need a few details here and there for a writing project I'm currently working on these details and links will go a long way to that.

It would be nice to get an idea of any insignia but realize that my be a tall order. If you do however come across any imagery that would be interesting too.

Much appreciated Patrick.

Cheers, Roy.

[Flatdog]

Hi Roy,

This may be of some help for you.

Nagpure Irregular Cavalry

Raised 11 September 1854,as part of the Nagpure (Nagpure) Irregular Force, which had one horsed field battery, one cavalry and three infantry regiments under command of a Brigadier.

The cavalry element, stationed at Sitabaldi consisted of 4 British officers, 1 British surgeon, 3 risaldars (Majors), 6 naib ressaiders (Captains), 6 jemadars (Lieutenants), 6 kote dafadars( Troop Sgt. Majors), 48 dafadars (Sgt.),1 nishan burdar (Standard Bearer), 6 trumpeters and nugarchies, 480 sowars (Trooper), 6 bhistis ( Water Carriers). The staff included 1 woordie major (Adjutant), 1 nukeeb, 2 native doctors, 1 trumpet major, and 6 pay dafadars. There were also attached 1 Persian writer, 2 lascars(Guards) when the regiment was stationary or 6 lascars when on the march, 1 chowdry, 1 mutsuddy (Native Accountant), 3 flag or weigh men and 1 shop coolie.

At the time of the outbreak of 1857, the commandant of cavalry was Captain Henry John Childe Shakespeare of the 25th Bengal Native Infantry who was also temporary commander of the force.

The force and it's cavalry element did not mutiny and was used for local policing in the Nagpur district. Between January and June 1858 it saw some action against insurgents along the western frontier of the Sambalpur district, and patrolled the Chanda zemindaries. It was disbanded in 1861.

The ethnic composition was Hindustani Muslims, as well as some Marathas, and Rajputs.

The only known insignia worn were waist belt plates with 'NIC' in typical Victorian style Icanthus lettering. I do not know with any certainty that a cap badge was worn. If a cap badge was worn it would only be worn by British officers. Indians would wear a pagri (turban) without badges, these came along much later in Indian military history (WW1) at most, a shoulder title was almost always worn, if a regimental colour was worn, that may have been incorporated into the pagri or around the waist. Unit identity would normally be on the Regimental colours. I'm not clear if a Guidon was used like the British cavalry. I would also add if cross belts were worn it would likely have the same motif.

Cheers,
Clay

[Roy]

Hi Clay,

Simply outstanding, so much thanks. Truly wonderful information. You mention Henry Shakespear, in fact it is my study of this gentleman that raised the whole topic in the first place. I'm writing an article on the knife he designed and which I have two examples.

Thanks so much Clay.

Cheers, Roy.

[peter monahan]

Roy

I think Clay has covered the bases very well on what's known about the Nagpore Horse. Perhaps you'd care to share a little information on Captain Shakespeare's knife with us? It sounds fascinating.

Peter

[Roy]

Hi Peter,

Yes I agree, Clay did a grand job, for which I'm very grateful.

Happy to share a few details on the Shakespear knife. I'm just finishing up an article for Knife World which I'm confident will be the most comprehensive on this topic thus far. But here is a few details to be going on with.

The Wilkinson-Shakespear Knife

Henry Shakespear was a noted dangerous game hunter in India. He published his book The Wild Sports of India in 1860. In this book he makes mention (many times) of his knife design - a dagger to be used in a defensive role when his double rifle had been fired but the 'beast' was still alive and dangerous. He passed on this design to Wilkinson & Son on a trip he made in 1857. Wilkinson went on to not only produce the knife in a number of blade lengths but also to promote it as the 'Shakespear knife'.

I am very fortunate int that I have two examples - a No1 & No5, 6 & 9 inch blades respectfully. Both of these were made in 1870.

Please see an attached photo of my No1 Wilkinson-Shakespear atop a first edition copy of his book. A larger image of the blade etching is inset. Happy to also share a photo of my No5 if there is any interest.

Cheers, Roy.

[peter monahan]

That is an interesting looking knife! Probably very useful. And, yes, I'd love to see the other example too. Thanks for sharing this one. Were they manufactured for long?

[Roy]

Hi Peter,

Yes it is a lovely knife. I have just finished and submitted my article for publication to Knife World. This latest article relates all the known facts/history about the origin and manufacture of this knife.

Briefly; Shakespear first submitted his design to Wilkinson in 1857, the knife was still being offered into the 20th century. But from my research most of the production appears to have been around in the second half of the 19th century.

Here is a photograph of my other example; a large No5 model and again dating from 1870. The inset is Shakespear himself. Note on this knife (difficult to see) the etching panel has been carefully placed 'inside' the fuller of the blade.

Cheers, Roy.

[peter monahan]

A very modern looking design, IMO, for such a date. With the very plain grips, chequered for grip, and the symmetrical shaped blade it reminds me of many of the commando/fighting knives around. Did Shakespear give any indication in his writings as to how or why he came up with this design? Presumably his reputation - if it was well known - would have helped convince Wilkinson to produce it, but were there other considerations as well?

A fascinating story!
Peter

[Roy]

Hi Peter,

You are not the first person to make reference to the design being similar to a commando knife. In fact a number of F-S collectors have eluded to the Shakespear being the grandfather of the F-S. Of course that is incorrect but nevertheless the design does bear a passing resemblance.

There is no record of interchanges between Wilkinson or Shakespear. In fact the only reference we have about [Shakespear's] knife is from his 1860 book (The Wild Sports of India) where he makes mention of it a great deal, including leaving the design with Wilkinson and some details regarding how it is to be worn and used.

The form of the knife is somewhat reminiscent of ethnic daggers (both Indian and African), so I would presume that Shakespear was influenced by this. Especially as the design was so different to anything being produced in London at this time. 'Bowie' knives being all the rage back then.

The earliest confirmed (Wilkinson proofing book) record I have of Wilkinson making a Shakespear knife is 1867 (my two examples via the serial number are both 1870) but I strongly suspect knives were made earlier than this record as recording these was very haphazard.

Roy.

[Lampwick]

Did you get these knives at the same time from the same source or were they the product of many years searching? Does the larger one come with the scabbard as well?

[Roy]

Hi,

Acquiring these two examples is the result of 'many' years searching. My No1 example I have owned for around four years whereas my No5 examples is a new acquisition from a long time friend.

Original Wilkinson-Shakespear knives are exceptionally rare. From my research (over many years) I have limited records of only 'ten' other examples known, twelve in total when including my two examples.

Sadly my No5 examples has long lost its scabbard.

Cheers, Roy.

[peter monahan]

The 'ethnic knife' shape is probably the inspiration, as you say, and perhaps it was the originality which appealed to Wilkinson. They sound very rare indeed and its to your credit that you stuck to the research and search as long as you have.

Peter

[Piffer]

Originally Posted by Roy

Hi Gents,

I'm continuing to do some research (on a non insignia project) and want to ask if anyone has 'any' information on an British Indian Cavalry unit called the 'Nagpoor Irregular Horse' from around the mid nineteenth century.

An image of insignia would be grand (however unlikely) but aside from that any details or information would be of great assistance as I can't seem to find out anything.

Does anyone know anything about this unit!

Thanks in advance, cheers, Roy.

Just saw this post, did you check out Izzat Historical Records and Iconography of Indian Cavalry Regts 1750 to 2007 by Ashok Nath? It has details of the Nagpur Irregular horse and illustration of their badges etc.