WD540(94)

‘Three Burmese Infantry Soldiers.’

THE three men here represented, who are pure Burmese, were picked out of the guard of six hundred attached to the Residency, and may be received as characteristic of the whole body. Vigorous and powerfully formed men, and, as is well known, very far from wanting in courage, — efficient arms, training and drill, appear to be all which are wanting to make them good Soldiers. Though they are said to be averse to the restraint of discipline, it was observed that they were not backward in picking up hints for improvement, as certain little movements in the daily exercise or duties of the men of Her Majesty’s 84th were early seen to be imitated on the part of the Burmese Guard here alluded to.

Their arms comprise a flint musket, without bayonet, and the ‘Dhar’ or sword worn on the back of the left shoulder. Their cartridges are carried in bandoliers, forming a belt round the waist.

The ordinary Burmese Government custom of payment, not by salaries but by grants of land, appears to exist in the army, as in other branches of the state. Fields or districts are assigned to the soldiers, the value of which is assumed to be as good as Ten Roopees per month.