Janjua Rajputs - Martial Distinction During The British Raj

Martial Distinction During The British Raj

During the nineteenth century, the British rulers of India realised the martial potential of the Janjua Rajput, and designated them as a martial race.

The British held a high regard for the Janjua recruits;

The Janjuas of the Salt range by way of contrast, were held to be among the best Muslim soldiers, and were also 'the only really pure Rajputs in the plains of Punjab'....the British preferred their Martial races to be as socially exclusive as they were themselves —"Recruiting, Drafting, and Enlisting (Military and Society, 1)" Peter Karsten

Due to their high aristocratic status, Janjua princes refused to serve in any regiment that was not commanded by either a Janjua or another commander of equal social standing, a rule that the British honoured when selecting regiments for them.

Read more about this topic:  Janjua Rajputs

Famous quotes containing the words martial, distinction, british and/or raj:

    As yet her conduct has been great both as a free and as a martial nation. We hope it will continue so, and finally baffle all her enemies, who are in fact the enemies of human nature.
    James Madison (1751–1836)

    I want you to consider this distinction as you go forward in life. Being male is not enough; being a man is a right to be earned and an honor to be cherished. I cannot tell you how to earn that right or deserve that honor. . . but I can tell you that the formation of your manhood must be a conscious act governed by the highest vision of the man you want to be.
    Kent Nerburn (20th century)

    If this creature is a murderer, then so are we all. This snake has killed one British soldier; we have killed many. This is not murder, gentlemen. This is war.
    —Administration in the State of Sout, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)

    Dogmatic toleration is nonsense: I would no more tolerate the teaching of Calvinism to children if I had power to persecute it than the British Raj tolerated suttee in India. Every civilized authority must draw a line between the tolerable and the intolerable.
    George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)