Independent. In a military sense, is a term which distinguishes from the rest of the army those companies which have been raised by individuals for rank, and were afterwards drafted into corps that were short of their complement of men. Independent company or troop, is one that is not incorporated into any regiment.
India, or Hindostan. An extensive region of Southern Asia, celebrated during many ages for its riches and natural productions. The Hindoo histories ascribe the origin of the people to a period ages before the ordinary chronologies. A race of kings is mentioned as reigning 2300 B.C. Several ancient nations, particularly the Tyrians and Egyptians, carried on commerce with India. It was partially conquered by Darius Hystaspes, who formed an Indian satrapy, 512 B.C., and by Alexander, 327 B.C. The authentic history of Hindostan commences with the conquests of Mahmoud Ghuzni, 1004. For further history of India, see [Bengal], [Calcutta], [Madras], etc.
Indian File. Single file; arrangement of persons in a row following one after another; the usual way among Indians of traversing woods, etc.
Indian Fortification. The entrance into an East Indian fortification is through a large and complicated pile of buildings, projecting in the form of a parallelogram from the main rampart; and, if the city has two walls, it projects beyond them both. This building consists of several continued terraces, which are of the same height as the main rampart, and communicate with it; the inward walls of these terraces form the sides of an intricate passage, about 20 feet broad, which leads by various short turnings, at right angles, through the whole pile to the principal gate that stands in the main rampart. This is the general outline of the old Indian fortifications.
Indian Military Force. The East Indian military service, like the civil service, has been undergoing a thorough reorganization, consequent on the great mutiny, and the transfer of the government of the country from the East India Company to the crown. In 1857, at the outbreak of the mutiny, the Indian army consisted of about 277,000 men, of whom 45,000 were Europeans and 232,000 natives. During the mutiny the native army of Bengal was almost entirely broken up. Fifteen regiments of regular native infantry, the local infantry, the Gurka and irregular line regiments, eight regiments of irregular cavalry, and the sappers and miners, were all that remained at the close of 1860 of the old native army of Bengal. The Indian army in 1867 numbered 183,148 men; 61,498 being Europeans, and 121,650 Indian forces. The police, civil and military, forms an important force, and is to a great extent taking the place of the regular army. In Bengal, for instance, the military police includes ten battalions of infantry each 700 strong; three squadrons of cavalry, and some local levies; in all about 10,000 men, of various races, with 40 European officers. The whole police force of India has been reorganized on one uniform system, with a central organization of its own in each presidency.
Indian Territory. A large extent of territory, which originally belonged to the Louisiana purchase, lying north by west of that State. It was set apart for the use of Indians, many tribes of whom have from time to time been removed to it, and have wonderfully improved in the arts of civilized life.
Indiana. One of the Western States, and a portion of the great Mississippi Valley country. It was settled in the early part of the 18th century by the French; was subsequently ceded to the English, and after the Revolution passed into the possession of the United States. The early settlers were for a long time troubled by the incursions of the Indians; but after their signal defeat by Gen. Harrison at Tippecanoe, November 7, 1811, they were soon afterwards subdued, and became peaceable. Indiana was admitted as a State in 1816, and during the civil war contributed its full quota of troops to the support of the Union.
Indians. The name by which the various tribes of aborigines scattered over the extensive continent of America are distinguished. They are divided into numerous tribes and nations, all in a state more or less savage, and having all the peculiar characteristics of that kind of life. They generally decline as the civilized population advances into the country; though reservations of land have always been set apart by the U. S. government for the support of tribes within its territory. (See [Indians and their Agencies].) A short description of the most important tribes will be found under appropriate headings in this work.
Indians and their Agencies. The following are the distribution and population of the Indians in the United States, taken from the Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1876:
Arizona, Colorado River Agency: Mojaves, 820; Chemehuevis, 320; Hualapais (not on reservation), 620; Coahuilas (not on reservation), 150; Cocopas (not on reservation), 180. Moquis Pueblo Agency: Moquis Pueblos, 1700. Pima and Maricopa Agency: Papagos, about 5000; Pimas, 4100; Maricopas, 400. San Carlos Agency: Pinal and Aribaipa Apaches, 1051; Chiricahua Apaches, 297; Mojave Apaches, 618; Yuma Apaches, 352; Tonto Apaches, 629; Coyotero Apaches, 1612. Indians in Arizona not under an agent: Yumas, 930; Mojaves, 700.