User blog:El Alamein/Sepoys vs. Gurkhas



It's a blade-swinging, gut-busting, black-powder battle of the Asian conscripts of the Eastern British Empire! The Sepoys, disciplined Indian infantrymen who rose in armed rebellion after rumors surfaced that their very equipment was sacrilegious, take aim at the Gurkhas, the fierce Nepalese tribesmen-turned-mercenaries who first defeated the British empire, then took up arms to fight with their former adversaries! The spirited aggression of the Indian foot soldiers goes up against the iron determination of the Nepalese regulars, but when the smoke clears and the last savage strike has landed home, only one will be the deadliest warrior!

Sepoys
"No, sire, this is not a rebellion, it is a revolution."

- Albert Camus, on the Sepoy mutiny



The Sepoys were a group of Indian conscripts employed by the East India Trading Company that acted as soldiers for the British Empire. The Sepoys were first employed when the Empire conquered the Mughal territories in India. The Sepoys had been employed for several years under the British, but due to the fears of both lower pay and loss of land, they rebelled against the British. The actual fighting was sparked by rumors that the paper cartridges in which the Sepoys' gunpowder washeld were coated in pig lard - which offended the Hindu and Muslim majorities as they needed to bite down and tear away to open the cartidges. On May 10, 1857, the Sepoys of Meerut rebelled against their leaders. As the conflict escalated in the town, surrounding areas in central India and the upper Gangetic also erupted into rebellion against the British. The power of the East Company was in considerable threat, as the Sepoys were professionally trained and being funded by several noble families in the Mughal empire.

Delhi, Cawnpore, and more were all covered in war because of this conflict. However, despite the combined resources of the noble families, the Sepoy rebellion was quelled after an entire year of prolonged combat. The British Empire sent troops to India, who worked alongside civilian volunteers, the kingdom of Nepal, and local irregular troops. After the fall of Gwalior, the Sepoys stopped being employed by the British and the Company lost its hold in India for good. The remaining Sepoys were later incorporated into the Indian army, and remain so to this day.

Weapons
|-| Close Range=

Sword Bayonet



The Sepoys had sword bayonets mounted on most of their firearms. The sword bayonet offered the distinct advantage of being useful both wielded on the edge of a rifled musket and carried as a shortsword. It fitted over the musket below its muzzle, so the gun could be fired with the blade equipped.


 * 24-inch blade (60 cm)


 * Double-edged


 * Can be equipped on musket or by hand


 * Steel blade


 * -| Mid Range=

P-1842 Artillery Carbine



The Enfield Artillery Carbine was used for close-ranged engagements and on horseback, where it was more effective due to its shorter barrel (although this model did not accept the sword bayonet). It was a percussion musket, which utilized a more advanced caplock firing mechanism.


 * 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg)


 * Caplock firing mechanism


 * 44.5 in (113 cm)


 * .75 caliber


 * ~ 3 rounds/minute


 * -| Long Range=

Pattern 1853 Enfield Musket



The Pattern 1853 was introduced to the Sepoys in 1856, and with it came special cartridges rumored to be coated in pig or cattle lard, which offended the Muslim and Hindu soldiers who had to put their mouths on it in order to bite open the cartridge to access the munitions within. The British quickly replaced these cartridges, but the Sepoys were angered and the rebellion was under way.


 * 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg)


 * Caplock firing mechanism


 * 55 inches (139.7 cm)


 * .577 in. musket ball (.58 caliber)


 * ~ 3 rounds/minute


 * Adjustable rear sight for targeting 100, 200, 300, and 400 yards. 2000 yards maximum firing range (1800 m)

Gurkhas
"The Gorkhas displayed the most undaunted resolution, advancing to the very muzzles of the guns, and endeavouring to strike down their opponents over their bayonets. Although repeatedly swept away by the discharge of grape from the two field-pieces which command the approach, they returned to attack with such obstinancy, and kept up so close a destructive fire upon them, that all by whom the guns were served were either killed or disabled..."

- Horace-Hayman Wilson, The History of British India from 1805 to 1835



The Gurkhas are warriors native to Nepal who are famous for their unquestionable loyalty, ambition, ferocity and resolve. They first gained fame during the Gurkha War in 1814, when the British East India Company tried to invade Nepal and failed. Impressed by their combat skills and bravery (which was unlike anything the British had ever encountered in their enemies), the British offered to hire the Gurkhas to fight for them. Gurkhas went on to fight for the British in both World Wars.

After India gained independence in 1947, the original ten Gurkha regiments were split between the British Army and the new Indian Army. To the disappointment of many British officers, most Gurkhas offered service between the two chose their native Indian Army. Today, the Gurkhas also serve in Nepal, Singapore, Brunei and are sometimes employed by the United States.

Weapons
|-| Close Range=

Kukri



The Kukri is the signature weapon of the Gurkhas, famous for its forward-curved blade and powerful chopping abilities. The kukri itself is used both for combat, and as a utility knife (cutting brush, etc), contrary to the legend that a Gurkha must draw blood every time they unsheathe the kukri, even if it means cutting themselves.


 * 25-inch blade (65 cm)


 * Single-edged


 * Handheld weapon


 * Steel blade


 * -| Mid Range=

Flintlock Pistol



The flintlock pistol gave the lightly-armed Gurkhas the advantage of mobility, allowing them to move unhindered and engage the enemy in close-quarters combat, where they excelled. It could also be used in a melee fashion with the butt of the club capable of being wielded as a striking weapon.


 * 3.5 lbs (1.5 kg)


 * Flintlock firing mechanism


 * 16 in (40 cm)


 * .60 caliber


 * ~ 4 rounds/minute


 * -| Long Range=

Baker Rifle

The Baker Rifle was a rifled musket widely introduced to the British military at the beginning of the 19th century. Its rifled capabilities greatly extended its maximum range, while retaining accuracy at distances of up to 300 meters (although trained marksmen could hit targets at distances of over 600 meters (as evidenced by the death of French General Colbert).


 * 9 lbs (4.08 kg)


 * Flintlock firing mechanism


 * 43 inches (109 cm)


 * .615 in. musket ball (.61 caliber)


 * ~ 2 rounds/minute


 * Effective firing range 300 m (328 yards), maximum firing range 600 m (549 yards).

X-Factors
|-| Training=

Sepoys: 75

Gurkhas: 85

The Sepoys received standard British military training, which prepared them for combat but did not allow for creativity or autonomy on the part of the individual soldier. The Gurkhas also received British military training, but they had their former skills from the Anglo-Nepalese War to create a unique fighting style that, one could argue, has persisted through the generations to this day.


 * -| Combat Experience=

Sepoys: 86

Gurkhas: 83

Now, yes, I know that the Gurkhas have fought in both World Wars, and in Afghanistan and all that stuff, but those are modern-day Gurkhas. The Gurkhas in question here (black-powder era, ca. 1817, post-Anglo-Nepalese War) have fought in the Anglo-Nepalese War, but have not necessarily exercised their might against Britain's foes. The Sepoys have fought both with and against the British, giving them a very narrow edge.
 * -| Physicality=

Sepoys: 75

Gurkhas: 91

The Nepalese upbringing of the Gurkhas toughens them up and makes them more durable to high-intensity situations (like combat). The Sepoys are certainly formidable foes, and likely in good physical condition as a result of rigorous military life, but nowhere near the level of their foes.


 * -| Discipline=

Sepoys: 64

Gurkhas: 88

Once again, the Gurkhas take an advantage here thanks to their disciplined approach to combat. The Sepoys rebelled against their British occupiers - while they had good reason, it demonstrates impulsiveness and rash behavior (especially as the rebellion was put down after a year's worth of fighting).


 * -| Audacity=

Sepoys: 86

Gurkhas: 79

Here the Sepoys have the advantage as a result of their bold attack on their British occupiers - that must have taken a lot of courage on their part. While the Gurkhas are certainly fearsome in battle and do not back down from an opponent, the Sepoys really give their all and commit to a fight.

Battle
Will be 5 on 5.

To be written

Expert's Opinion
To be determined