Home Forums Horse and Musket General Horse and Musket Another 6 units for the Sikh Wars

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  • #116432
    Avatar photoOB
    Participant

    I feel I’m on the last lap or thereabouts with my Sikh War collection.  There’s another 6 new units on my blog and an interesting Sikh War anecdote courtesy of Brent Nosworthy concerning sharp swords.  Here are the 60th Rifles from Fighting 15s.

    Sikh Wars

    If you would like to see the rest here is the link.

    https://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com

    OB
    http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

    #116433

    I do like — thanks!

    One point on the swords: it’s been a while, but I recall reading that the metal scabbards in use contributed to dulling of the edges.

    And the Sikh cavalry had high quality, sharply honed swords, which, if they were actually able to come into contact  (as opposed to running away) could inflict some grievous wounds.

    My 28mm project is still  (sigh) in the dream stage, but rules should probably take this into account. I’d certainly classify Gorachurras as “unreliable”, but capable of doing damage, if they manage to close.  How do you handle this?

    #116440
    Avatar photoOB
    Participant

    Thanks Hafen, I’m glad you do.  Yeah,  I’ve read of the metal scabbard thing too.

    That is a great question on the Gorchurra.  I’m still researching it but I have some thoughts so far.

    First, there is the Gorchurra style of fighting.  Before the advent of the Sikh regular army the Gorchurra and the Akali were the battle winners of the Sikh army.  The Gorchurra liked to use fire power before charging.  Waves of Gorchurra would ride forward one line after another and discharge their piece.  When the enemy was sufficiently weakened they would charge fiercely.  Nothing I have come across suggests that they changed their method in Ranjit’s time.  So, unless under close control when they could simply be ordered to charge, they would do what they usually did and begin firing.

    Second, the official British accounts which most of us are more familiar with can be very unreliable.  As an example the number of Gorchurra said to be present at Mudki in post war British accounts is hugely at variance with British intelligence reports on the eve of battle.  In fact we don’t even know the Sikh cavalry at Mudki were Gorchurra, they could have been Sikh regulars.

    Third, in the battles we tend to know best the Sikh Generals were fighting to lose.  The misuse of the Sikh cavalry certainly stands out in the First Sikh War.  Consequently they don’t shine at all.

    That’s my thinking so far and I will keep digging as I begin to study the second Sikh War.

    OB
    http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

    #116445

    All I can say to that is, if I ever get to it, my generals will be fighting to win!

    #116485
    Avatar photoOB
    Participant

    Yeah, mine too.  There’s no point otherwise.

    OB
    http://withob.blogspot.co.uk/

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