RARE MILTARY/POLICE INDIAN TIPSTAFF

[Mervyn Mitton]

Very rarely do you find police and military associated on truncheons and tipstaffs. This example is not only unusual, but extremely rare from the historical viewpoint. The East India Company was set up in the time of Charles 2nd. to adminster trade - mainly with India - as they grew in wealth and power they took over territories and to adminster them, had their own army, navy and a full civil administration. The army was large and was created, mainly from local forces, but with English officers, in different areas of India. After the Mutiny, Britain took over control of India and created new armies and a Police force - this last was centred in three main cities - Bombay, Madras and Delhi.

This silver plated tipstaff - on brass - has Queen Victoria's crown and cypher at the top - it is approx. 7 inches overall. The owner - as inscibed around the barrel , was : J.C.BOULDERSON. Major 35th. Regt. M.N.I. Nov. 1856.

35th were one of the regiments of Madras Native Infantry - I think they numbered 39 or, 40 in total.

[Mervyn Mitton]

[Mervyn Mitton]

After the Mutiny had been concluded - and we had finished tying the mutineers over canon mouths and then firing them (!) - the British took over from the East India Company. One of their first acts in 1860 , was to set-up police forces - not entirely on the new British system , but certainly with an officer administration based on the British ideas from 1829. I mentioned earlier, that three main cities were selected to be regional force H.Q.'s and the officers in charge , were styled Commissioner.

Our hero - from the 35th.Regt. M.N.I.( - probably all blown-up, if they rebelled - ) was created the first police commissioner for Madras Province. I have sold this tipstaff some time ago - I often wonder if the person who bought it realises just how historically important it is - despite it's small size.