Month: August 2020

NP42 Mini Review

The NP42 Mini is the compact version of Chinese CF98/NP42. It is a small, polymer frame pistol with a 7 round capacity chambered in 9 x 19 mm. This pistol has been made for the international market. The original version used by Chinese LEAs is QSZ92. The pistol has safety decocker on both sides. It comes with two magazines, a cleaning rod and some spare springs etc. The packing is plastic box with no instructions manual which is very typical of the Chinese pistols. The pistol is small and ideal for concealed carry. With two single stack magazines the capacity is 14 rounds in all. Rear sights are two dot and front is single dot with a very rough white paint applied to them. The finish is just so so, I believe it is some kind of matte phosphating.

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Book Review: The Anarchy

My foray in to Mughal history started with Baburnama, a firsthand account of Padshah Babur. A little later it was followed by “The great Mughals and their India” (Dirk Collier), the nasha was spreading and I found myself buying Humayun-nama, Tuzk I Janhangiri ,Ain I Akbari (some still to be read). Then came “The Last Mughal” and “The Anarchy” by William Dalrymple.

The Anarchy is a well-researched book in to the Rise of East India Complany (EIC), and how a private trading company expanded its business through corruption, power politics and intrigues not to mention use of military force to overthrow perhaps the greatest and richest monarchy of the world , hence bringing the Mughal dynasty to an end. Neatly organized in to chapters this book begins with Capt Hawkins landing at the court of Padshah Jahangir and then covers the EICs history, its formation and the Royal Charter it received. It was much later that the Mughals finally allowed them to begin trading in Hindustan. Auranzeb’s death resulted in discontent and chaos for the Mughals and that is where the real story of EIC begins with Lord Clive making it big. The book is more or less chronological in describing events happening at various places in Hindustan as well as England. The roles of Portugese and French are discussed in quite detail. Also the Mughal court after Aurangzeb, the Marathas, Tipu Sultan, Nawab of Hyderabad and off course the famous episode of Bengal its famine, the Siraj ud Daula, Mir Jaffar’s treachery and the various battles fought during this era Plassy, Buxr and Pollilor etc starting 1703 till 1806. It is interesting to note how the English worked and improved their warfare by using muskets and Artillery and thus defeating large armies of over 15000 troops with just 2000 plus soldiers and off course by use of superior tactics and discipline. The limited role of Napoleon is discussed in the Tipu Sultan chapter. Throughout this period the English were at war with the French and so French soldiers and military experts worked as mercenaries in Hindustan. One can find, throughout the book, alliances being made and broken, and the never ending wars between various small states which ultimately helped the English in overcoming them one by one. In the words of the author, “This book has attempted to study the relationship between commercial and imperial power”.

Book Review. The Last Mughal

The Last Mughal is actually the story of Delhi and its inhabitants including the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar. It is a well-researched and unbiased account of the events leading to the War of Independence (The 1857 mutiny), the war itself and the events leading to the dissolution of the East India Company. It is a heart wrenching tale of greed, intrigues, lust for power and money, of treachery, religious ideals and morals. The story starts with Bahadur Shah Zafar’s time, describing Delhi, its inhabitants, the British, Royals and important people including the likes of Zauq and Ghalib. The book cover in great detail the events leading to the siege of Delhi and the last battle fought between the British (East India Company) and the rebelling soldiers and men and finally in the massacre of Delhi residents (which today can be rightly construed as war crimes). There was not a single dull moment in this treatise, not for me at least. Dalrymple describes the events as they happened in a chronological fashion; it is almost as it is happening live. One moment the East India Company seems to be winning and the next it is the revolting soldiers. Split second decisions, not taken, or actions abandoned that might have altered the course of history, make this nail biting record and must read for history buffs. I must confess for a certain period of time after reading it I felt sad. Sad, for the 333 years of glory coming to an end in a very bloody and gruesome manner. While at the same time perhaps it was a much needed change, for out of the ashes of the great Mughal Empire, was born the animosity between Hindus and Muslims of that time (which sadly continues to this day), that resulted in reformation of political ideas and hence a change leading to the independence and the ouster of the British exactly 90 years after the events of 1857 war of Independence.

A read badass desi Glock 19

Hello there. I came across this badass desi Glock 19 sporting a stippled frame and Taran Tactical innovations slide and magazine base pad. This was something interesting for me at least. Instead of making a Glock this guy decided to copy the Taran Tactical Innovations design. The build quality is not so bad, and the stippled frame is impressive. Though I could not get to fire this beauty but it certainly is a looker. Please see below for a pictorial review.

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Using Silica Gel to keep weapons safe from moisture

All weapons are prone to rust. The risk increases with the increase in moisture specially during monsoons. I have kept my guns in a custom designed safe, but the threat from moisture remains, always. So to reduce moisture I use Silica Gel which is a desiccant. Desiccant is a substance that sucks up the moisture and helps in drying the environment. I came to know about it in my early professional military life when we used to keep our equipment safe by using Silica Gel. The gel was taken out according to a set schedule and kept in the sun for drying. After which it was again placed again close to the equipment. So I bought around 2 Kgs of it and placed in plastic containers. I made small holes in the containers so that the air flow could be facilitated. These containers were then placed in the gun cabinet. Now I know my guns are safe from moisture and hence rust. It is also a good idea to keep some desiccant close to the ammo, or in an ammo box. Silica Gel desiccant is quite inexpensive and easily available online. Do make use of it if you want t o keep your guns safe form moisture. Cheers

Caution: Silica Gel is a poison, so has to be kept away from reach of children. The small sachets carry a warning, “Do Not Eat”.

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