British Weapons India: During the British Raj, weapons were imported into India until they began to be manufactured in India. Let's learn more about this.

British arms India

British Weapons India: The movement of weapons into India during the British Raj was a highly organized military supply operation. It evolved over nearly two centuries. Long before India began manufacturing its own rifles, cannons, and aircraft, the British relied on sea routes to bring military equipment from England to the subcontinent. Let's explore how British weapons reached India.

How British weapons came to India

During the early days of the East India Company, weapons and essential military supplies were shipped to London from the River Thames on heavily armed merchant ships known as East Indiamen. These ships carried everything from guns and cannons to uniforms and ammunition. These shipments primarily originated from major Indian port cities such as Mumbai on the west coast, Madras on the southeast coast, and Kolkata in the east.

Once these ships arrived, the weapons were distributed to various British garrisons, cantonments, and fortified positions throughout the country. Sea routes remained the most important mode of transportation during British rule, as they allowed for large, secure shipments over long distances.

Start of local production

As British control expanded, the need for local production also grew. Importing everything from Britain was slow, expensive, and posed a barrier during wartime. This prompted the British to establish weapons manufacturing facilities within India. The first major step was taken in 1775 when the Board of Ordnance was established at Fort William, Kolkata.

Gunpowder production at Ishapore

A gunpowder factory was established at Ishapore in 1787 and production began by 1791. This was a necessary development, as gunpowder remained the main explosive material for guns, cannons, and early rifles.

By 1904, India had established a rifle factory in West Bengal. This became the production center for the Short Magazine Lee Enfield MK III, one of the most widely used rifles in world military history. It served as the standard rifle for British and Commonwealth troops worldwide, including in both World Wars.

military aircraft production

With the rise of Japanese military power during World War II, the British urgently needed an Indian aviation manufacturing base. In 1940, an aircraft factory was established in Bengaluru, which later evolved into Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Today, it is one of India's largest aerospace companies.

Kanpur is a major ammunition hub.

Kanpur also emerged as a major center for cannon production, ammunition manufacturing, and the General Commissioner of Supplies. Numerous facilities were established here. These factories supported British operations in India and major military campaigns abroad.