Table of Contents
B. Mercenary to Citizen Army
When small European states in the 19th century got integrated into Nations, Machiavelli’s “The Prince” became a de-facto political guide, and international law was made that armies will have only citizens. Heads of the states realized that too many wars are being lost due to fled mercenary companies when the opposition got better out of an army.
National Citizen Armies vs Past Princely State Mercenaries
Loyalty was at the very core of nationalism. When Europe was divided into small princely states, every prince dreamt of becoming the ruler of the world and continuously engaged in wars with the states. The number of wars got reduced as states became countries. Even though there was still a formidable number of wars even after the 1790 French Revolution and the uprising of Napoleon Bonapart as the French leader.
Russia, Dutch, Portugal, England, Spain, French, Prurasia, and several other nations battled against each other. The First and second world wars brought Germany, Italy, and other countries into armed wars. Seizing of the cities also continued. For instance, German wreaked havoc by its seizing of Moscow. However, it became very hard increasingly to get better of another country, as then you needed far too many logistics to take down major cities of the countries.
Divide and Rule Colonial Plot
Colonial powers understood that unity and state are hindrances to their rules. Therefore Asian, and African countries were divided into small princely states, pawn princesses were instilled there and the imperialists ruled the whole nations through this divide-and-rule policy.
Indian Mercenaries in the British Army to Indian Army
The British army also had around two million Indian soldiers, constituting one of the major forces of the army. However, when the Indian national army (INA) under the leadership of Subhash Chandra Bose called for Mutiny, the Indian soldier’s mutiny large loomed, leading to the final Britishers evacuating India.
After India became Independent, India created a national army, which under the leadership of Sardar Vallabh Bhai integrated all the princely states into the Republic of India.