KASHMIR ARMY AT DRILL 105 



veterans carrying a rifle in one hand, while a stout stick in 

 the other supported their steps. Undress uniform was 

 evidently the order of the day : no two sepoys, even of the 

 same regiment, were clothed alike, and the accoutrements 

 displayed rich variety of colour and pattern. This parti- 

 coloured mass of "soldiers" resolved itself into three 

 separate groups on the polo (Pulu is the indigenous name) 

 ground — a large piece of oblong greensward, with pools of 

 water standing in many places, and surrounded by rough 

 stone walls. Drill was in full swing, though parties of 

 men were joining the various groups at each word of 

 command. Each regiment seemed to have its own peculiar 

 words of command in its own particular language. The 

 commandant and drill-sergeant took separate portions of 

 their regiment, and drilled them alongside of each other, 

 each bawling different orders at the same time. The 

 manual and platoon exercises were first got through, then 

 the men did it themselves, going through the motions with 

 great energy to a sing-song tune, marking the time of " ck, 

 do, tin" (one, two, three). At the end of each exercise 

 the commandant shouted out his " Shdhhash " (well done), 

 and told his " children " to rest. The Balbhadr regiment 

 went through the bayonet exercise at the English words of 

 command. This was really a dangerous exercise, for as 

 the men made their points, several bayonets were thrown 

 off their muskets to long distances, and fell about pro- 

 miscuously. When this fatiguing business was over, and 

 all the lost bayonets recovered, the commandnnt ordered 

 his regiment to rest — and they all squatted. He then 

 came over to me and had a chat. A strange dog turned 

 up during this conversation ; the regiment at once broke 

 ranks and chivied it down the hillside with the aid of 

 their own mongrels, which had turned out in great force. 

 The commandant is a pure Purbiah (Southerner) from the 



