I have recently come into possession of a sword bayonet that online research suggests is an Indian copy of a Baker sword bayonet - possibly Mahratta circa 1810. The manufacture is much cruder than a genuine Baker, and lighter. It also carries what could be an Indian language (quite which I've no idea) character on the hilt.
It has been suggested that some rifle armed units could have been raised by local princes/rajahs as body guards, but I can find no reference to such bodies in the books that I possess. Nor can I identify any HEIC units that used the rifle.
Has anyone heard of rifle armed units in India at this time?
Thanks, in hope.
I hope that this question isn't too 'left field' for this forum.