Editing Princely state (section)

==State military forces==
{{Main|Indian State Forces}}

The armies of the princely states were bound by many restrictions that were imposed by [[subsidiary alliance]]s. They existed mainly for ceremonial use and for internal policing, although certain units designated as Imperial Service Troops, were available for service alongside the regular Indian Army upon request by the British government.<ref>Lt. Gen. Sir George MacMunn, page 198 "The Armies of India", {{ISBN|0-947554-02-5}}</ref>

According to the {{Harvnb|Imperial Gazetteer of India vol. IV|1907|p=85}}, <blockquote>Since a chief can neither attack his neighbour nor fall out with a foreign nation, it follows that he needs no military establishment which is not required either for police purposes or personal display, or for cooperation with the Imperial Government. The treaty made with Gwalior in 1844, and the instrument of transfer given to Mysore in 1881, alike base the restriction of the forces of the State upon the broad ground of protection. The former explained in detail that unnecessary armies were embarrassing to the State itself and the cause of disquietude to others: a few months later a striking proof of this was afforded by the army of the Sikh kingdom of Lahore. The British Government has undertaken to protect the dominions of the Native princes from invasion and even from rebellion within: its army is organised for the defence not merely of [[British India]], but of all the possessions under the [[suzerainty]] of the King-Emperor.<ref>{{Harvnb|Imperial Gazetteer of India vol. IV|1907|p=85}}</ref></blockquote>

In addition, other restrictions were imposed:

<blockquote>The treaties with most of the larger States are clear on this point. Posts in the interior must not be fortified, factories for the production of guns and ammunition must not be constructed, nor may the subject of other States be enlisted in the local forces. ... They must allow the forces that defend them to obtain local supplies, to occupy cantonments or positions, and to arrest deserters; and in addition to these services they must recognise the [[British Empire|Imperial]] control of the railways, telegraphs, and postal communications as essential not only to the common welfare but to the common defence.<ref>{{Harvnb|Imperial Gazetteer of India vol. IV|1907|pp=85–86}}</ref></blockquote>

The Imperial Service Troops were routinely inspected by British army officers and had the same equipment as soldiers in the [[British Indian Army]].<ref name=IGI-4-87>{{Harvnb|Imperial Gazetteer of India vol. IV|1907|p=87}}</ref> Although their numbers were relatively small, the Imperial Service Troops were employed in China and [[British Somaliland]] in the first decade of the 20th century, and later saw action in the [[First World War]] and [[Second World War]] .<ref name=IGI-4-87/>