Sepoy
A sepoy (from Persian سپاهی Sipâhi meaning "soldier") was a native of India employed as a soldier in the service of a European power, usually of the United Kingdom. Specifically, it was the term used in the British Indian Army for an infantry Private (a cavalry Trooper was a Sowar), and is still so used in the modern Indian Army, Pakistan Army and Bangladesh Army.
The same Persian word has reached English via another route in the form of Spahi.
See also
- Sepoy Mutiny (also Indian Mutiny or First Indian War of Independence)
Categories
Military ranks of India | Military of British India