'Sepoys' and 'Native gunner and a Serang' (boatswain), 1800 (c)

Watercolour, artist unknown, 1800 (c).

Britain first went to India to trade. By the end of the 17th Century, there were nearly 30 settlements or 'factories'. Eventually the main centres - Bombay, Madras and Calcutta - became separate 'Presidencies', local centres of East India Company operations, with their own governors and councils. To defend these settlements, the Company began to recruit local troops. Later these small garrisons would grow into a huge army that was reinforced by British Army units.

From sketchbook 'Madras' of 35 watercolours, artist unknown, 1800 (c).