Sepoy

designation given to an Indian soldier

A sepoy was an Indian footsoldier (of whatever religion) in the East India Company army or the British Indian Army. The term comes from the Persian language "Sipahi". The term sipahi was also used for cavalry soldiers in the army of the Seljuks and the Ottomans.

Sepoy of the Indian Infantry, circa 1900

In the modern Indian Army, Pakistan Army, Bangladesh Army and Nepalese Army, it is still used for the rank of private soldier.[1]

References

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  1. John Keegan, Armies of the World, pages 312 and 545. ISBN 0-333-17236-1