Friday, April 29, 2011

Early Sepoys - "Peons"

When the European "East India Companies" (EIC) set up trading posts in India in the early 1700's they used locals to augment their small forces. The Dutch called them "Peons" (countrymen). These men were untrained locals led by local Zemindars or other local rulers. They would be equipped with any of the following: matchlocks, swords , spears and/or shields.

The sculpt's below are based off of the print in Osprey Men at Arms #453 - Armies of the East India Company.

These can be used from 1700 up until the mutiny. They could also serve several purposes beside Sepoys  - like Indian Pirates, Bad mashes, Darkest Africa mercenaries to name a few. They could augment any Indian force (Mysore, Mahratta, Mogul, Rajput etc) as irregulars or even Princely Sepoys.





Getting closer to production....

Enjoy! Ashok
Posted by at

2 comments:

  1. Der Alte FritzApril 30, 2011 at 1:35 AM

    These are going to be outstanding figures and I predict that you will sell a lot of them for this interesting period.

    ReplyDelete
  2. FurtMay 5, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    These are beautiful. Between your great work and that of Golconda Rising - we are in for a treat! Keep up the great work.

    Frank
    http://adventuresinlead.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)