Sound The Retreat is Volume VII of the novel sequence Alms for Oblivion by Simon Raven, published in 1971.

Peter Morrison and his cadet comrades arrive in Bangalore for military service and are informed that they will have an Indian commander.

Khan shows strong feelings during Muscateer's funeral, and later during some heavy drinking at Ley Wong’s is rebuked by Mortleman.

Khan saves him by planting false evidence that she’s been forging ID cards at her home, and the charge against Morrison is dropped.

Murphy, a cadet held back in hospital for a while, is rapidly promoted to captain by chance.

Morrison is visited by Murphy, now working for the viceroy, who explains that Khan left the army to become a political agitator.