R EAST--1819-75


The minor wars outside the main peninsula of Hindostan have been caused
either by the expansion of the Empire of India in the only possible
direction--eastward--or for the purposes of colonisation or trade.

A series of points on the road to the Pacific were gradually obtained,
usually by purchase, between 1786 and 1824, such as Penang, and the
land opposite in the Straits of Malacca, with Singapore and Malacca
farther south. These guarded the sea-road to China, with whom we were
eventually to be engaged in war.

But before that happened, Alompra, King of Ava, had played into the
hands of those who were willing to add still more realms to those
already under the British flag. He had conquered much of the southern
peninsula, and, fancying himself irresistible, had raided our Cachar
territories which bordered on his. He had seized the island of Shapuree
and driven out the British guard there. Reluctant as was the East
India Company to engage in further war after the costly campaigns
with the Mahrattas, they had little choice. Prestige is all-important
with semi-barbaric nations, and force alone wins respect. So this
first expansion of empire into the Burma-Siamese peninsula began as a
punitive expedition.

It commenced with an outbreak of mutiny, which future events in India
rendered ominous. The 47th Bengal Regiment refused to embark for
Burmah, lest they should lose caste. It is possible that their scruples
were sincerely conscientious, and their contract of enlistment does not
seem to have contemplated their employment beyond the seas. It was bad
management to select those whose religious antagonism might be roused;
but the order had been given, and on the continued refusal of the men
to embark, they were fired on by European infantry and artillery and
massacred.

Then the expedition started, on a three years’ campaign, in which the
1st Royals, 13th, 38th, 41st, 44th, 47th, 54th, 87th, and 89th shared,
as did also the forerunner of the present 102nd or 1st Battalion Royal
Dublin Fusiliers, be