Mountain Artillery

See also main article Indian Army

Background

Mountain Artillery was developed to allow field guns to accompany forces operating in mountainous regions. The guns were dismantled into three loads (piece, carriage and wheels) and carried on mules. The first mountain train in India was formed in 1840 for service in the 1st Afghan War and disbanded in 1843. Mountain Batteries formed part of the Punjab Frontier Force raised to defend the territory gained in the 2nd Sikh War in due course known as the North West Frontier Province. The first was the Hazara Mountain Battery

Between 1849 and 1851 four Punjab Light Horse Field Batteries were recruited from the defeated Sikh artillerymen. No 1 was disbanded in 1870. No 2 became the Kohat Mountain Battery. No 3 became the [Derajat Mountain Battery]]. No 4 became the Hazara Mountain Battery.

As a consequence of the Indian Mutiny the European artillery regiments (21 horse batteries & 48 field batteries) of the Presidency Armies were taken into the Royal Artillery of the British Army. The Bengal, Madras and Bombay Native Foot Artillery were disbanded except for

External links

Indian Army Mountain Artillery www.king-emperor.com
Mountain Gunners www.victorianmilitarysociety.org