Another vital error demonstrated by the mutiny was the former plan of drawing soldiers from a single caste.  They were all under the same influence; all had the same interests and were governed by the same prejudices, and could be easily united for the same purpose.  Now caste is not recognized in the army.  Recruits are drawn from every tribe and every caste, and men of different races, religions and provinces are thrown together in the same company and are not allowed to serve in the locality where they were enlisted.  Enlistments are entirely voluntary.  The natives are armed, equipped and clothed by the state, but provide their own food, for which they receive a proper allowance.  This is necessary in order that they may regulate their own diet and obey the laws of their caste.  There are also what are called “class company regiments,” composed chiefly of men who are serving second enlistments.  That is, men of the same race and caste are organized into separate companies, so that a regiment may have two companies of Sikhs, two companies of Brahmins, two companies of Rajputs, two companies of Mohammedans, two companies of Gurkhas and companies of other tribes or religious sects which neutralize each other and are inspired by active rivalry.

Race outbreaks and religious collisions very seldom occur in India these days, but the hostility between the several sects and races is very deep.  The Mohammedan still dreams of the day when his race shall recover control of the Indian Empire and turn the Hindu temples into mosques.  The Sikhs hate the Mohammedans as well as the Hindus.  None of the sects is without its prejudices.

The most efficient section of the native army is composed of the Sikhs, the Gurkhas, who are enlisted in Nepaul, and the Pathans, who come from the hill tribes in the far northwest.  These are all vigorous, hardy races, fearless, enduring and fond of military service.  It would be difficult to find in any country better soldiers than they make, and their numerical strength in the Indian army could be doubled without difficulty in case more soldiers were needed.

All cities, towns and villages have regularly organized police forces, consisting entirely of natives and numbering about 700,000.  In the larger cities and towns the chief officers are European, and throughout the entire country the preference in making appointments to this force is given to men who have served in the regular army.  About 170,000 officers and men have this distinction and make very efficient police.

The supreme authority over the army in India is vested by law in the viceroy and is exercised through a member of the council of state, known as the secretary of military affairs, who corresponds to our Secretary of War.  The active command is in the person of the commander-in-chief, who is also a member of the council of state by virtue of his office.  The present commander-in-chief is Lord Kitchener, the hero of Khartoum and of the recent Boer war.