VCOs were senior in rank to warrant officers in the British Army, and held a commission issued by the viceroy.
Under the British, there was a clear colonial context, with the VCOs being the highest ranks that an Indian could attain.
In 1905, a special form of King’s Commission in His Majesty’s Native Land Forces was instituted.
In 1914, ranks held by VCOs were:[3] As a company commander a Subadar was roughly equivalent to a native Infantry 'Captain'.
[5] Nonetheless, in World War I, he was classified as native 'Lieutenant' but remained in the position of company commander.
It is unclear whether the same procedure was followed with the Sirdars 1st and 2nd class of Gun Drivers, Miners and Syces (native stable-helpers and grooms in artillery and cavalry).
[8] Both ranks would serve as a representative of their people to British officers, but could also command independent companies resp.
While providing guidance to inexperienced British subalterns, they also discussed major issues concerning the Indian soldiers of all ranks with the Colonel (Infantry) or Commandant (Cavalry).
[9] Rissaldar-Majors or Subadar-Majors could be appointed Native A.-D.-C. to the Viceroy or the Governor of their British India Province.
[1] An honorary rank was not only a distinction but had the financial benefit of doubling the pension to be received by the retiring Indian officer.
The soldiers who were promoted to VCO rank had long service and good service records, spoke reasonably fluent English, and could act as a common liaison point between officers and men and as advisers to the British officers on Indian affairs.
[23] In irregular regiments such as those of the Silladar Cavalry, VCOs enjoyed a greater leeway and consequently a higher status due to the smaller number of British officers present.
Each squadron had two 'half-squadrons' or troops of nine Indian NCOs, 70 sowars and one trumpeter, each led by a Rissaldar and a Jemadar as S-i-C.[17] For example, in the last third of the 19th century, in the Bengal Army as the largest presidency army, the ranks of Subadar, Ressaldar, Ressaidar and Jemadar were divided in three (sometimes two) paygrades each (native sappers and miners, cavalry, infantry, but not native artillery).
[28] In comparison, a Lieutenant in one of the seven European cavalry regiments of the Bengal Army in 1867/68, drew about 305 Rs.
[29] His colleague in the European infantry attached to the Bengal Army came near to 49 Rs., while a Colour Sergeant drew almost 32 Rs.
[30] In the infantry and artillery the native officer's military dress included Indian and British elements.
In the cavalry, especially in irregular units, the native officer's uniform could mirror entirely Indian style, when being richly ornamented with additional braids and embroidery.
In the 18th and early 19th centuries, rank insignia in cavalry and horse artillery consisted of varying sets of gold or silver cuff laces.
For the foot arms, i.e. infantry, native foot artillery (Golundauze) and engineers, the rank insignia developed roughly as follows: A red waist sash and one or two gold epaulettes (depending on rank and era),[31] that were smaller and of different style than those of European commissioned officers; native officers in grenadier companies wore a pair of shoulder wings.
[34] Gurkha VCOs were characterized by miniature kukris, edges downward, instead of the sword insignia.
[37] From those dates on, the VCO's embroidered rank insignia (metal for full dress since 1906) were usually silver, while those of the (European) commissioned officers were gold.
In the Bombay Cavalry, Rissaldar and Ressaidar shared the same rank insignia, e.g. two silver metal stars.