Soldier Sahibs: The Men Who Made the North-west Frontier

This is the story of the political officers, the young men who distinguished themselves in the wars of the Northwest Frontier of India from the First Afghan War to the Great Mutiny. It is really a very interesting tale, a handful of soldiers, many still in their twenties, who through their personalities and persuasions brought the British Empire control of a vast swath of Northwest India. They recruited and led troops, but also were the administrators to vast regions with very little staff or support.

The book is very readable narrative history, although it does get a bit of a struggle latter on as the authors switches back and forth between a dozen or so primary persons and their activities. Also there is quite a number of names of show more persons and places to keep track of, something I found myself unable to do successfully. Still, there are many who will definitely enjoy this book. show less