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Not entirely true. The higher salaries are actually due to white skin and firangi bias.
Various reasons why higher pay, " not skillful" is over simplifying it. https://twitter.com/JajaborPathik/status/1276077403060633600
Various reasons why higher pay, " not skillful" is over simplifying it. https://twitter.com/JajaborPathik/status/1276077403060633600
Chhatrapati Shivaji categorically kept foreigners out.
But 2nd half of 18th century showed that European techniques were better. So French made an entry. Ditto for Portuguese , even some Americans !
But 2nd half of 18th century showed that European techniques were better. So French made an entry. Ditto for Portuguese , even some Americans !
There was a general feeling at one point, that any fellow with a pale skin is good with a gun.
Arabs also won on that count.
Arabs also won on that count.
Ibrahim Khan Gardi was French trained and efficient - plus Indian and a dark coloured one at that. A victory at Panipat would have made the trajectory very different in India's artillery - infantry history.
A major influx happened in 1790s .. Perron , DeBoigne etc all products of this era.
The talent they brought was an altogether new skill of handling artillery.
Were the Indians unskilled ? How can we be so sure without them being thrown into deep end.
The talent they brought was an altogether new skill of handling artillery.
Were the Indians unskilled ? How can we be so sure without them being thrown into deep end.
I will touch on this topic in a webinar on 5th July
Register : https://indicacademy.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bjlAYvbNSpGm6wHwCp8a7g
Register : https://indicacademy.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bjlAYvbNSpGm6wHwCp8a7g
Where Indian Leadership erred, was not having locals learn the trade. For years on end, we were happy paying salaries for mercenaries but paid none for training our own.
End result was defeats like Laswari.
End result was defeats like Laswari.
Europeans were smart enough to keep the Management and Manufacturing with themselves. Making them indispensable and highly paid.
Same reason why EIC never allowed Indians beyond a certain rank.
Same reason why EIC never allowed Indians beyond a certain rank.
Yes, Marathas had their own armament factories - like for example one in Peth area of Pune. Still, the quantities manufactured were not sufficient. Till 1790s quality also wasn't sufficient.
Most importantly...
Most importantly...
When you have a battalion of 200 soldiers with guns, for full effect they all need to be disciplined and fire with equal precision - else quite useless.
Here is where leadership came in and became central to warfare in 18th century. Which is why Napolean scored victories.
Here is where leadership came in and became central to warfare in 18th century. Which is why Napolean scored victories.
So to sum up - Europeans brought new skills, after a passage of fifty years they were still new skills for Indians.
Crux of matter is inability to embrace innovation and localise it.
Crux of matter is inability to embrace innovation and localise it.
