Empire

Explore Empire stories

Private Matthew Tuck's diary, c1882

In Their Own Words: Private Matthew Tuck

Matthew Tuck served with the 58th (Rutlandshire) Regiment in South Africa from 1879 to 1881. He fought in both the Zulu War and the Transvaal War, and kept a diary of his experiences during these conflicts.

Study of a British soldier with two camels, Egypt, c1885

Camels on campaign

Working relationships between soldiers and animals form an important part of Army life. Here, we take a look at how camels have helped to defend and extend Britain's interests across Asia and northern Africa.

The Storming and Capture of the North Fort, Peiho, on 21 August, 1860

Second China War

Between 1856 and 1860, British-Indian forces joined the French in a military expedition against Imperial China. Their victory further opened up China to Western traders and greatly weakened the Qing dynasty's imperial regime.

Detail from painting of the Battle of Isandlwana

The Battle of Isandlwana, 22 January 1879

One of our most popular paintings is a depiction of the Battle of Isandlwana by Charles Fripp. Here, we take a closer look at the artwork to discover more about this infamous British defeat.

Officers and non-commissioned officers of the 2nd Devonshire Regiment, Wuutho, Burma, 1891

Third Burma War

Following a series of fractious disputes, the British invaded Upper Burma in late 1885 and overthrew its king. While the country was quickly annexed to British India, a guerrilla war ensued that rumbled on for the best part of a decade.

The 18th and 80th Regiments storming the Shwedagon Pagoda, Rangoon, 1852

Second Burma War

This brief conflict in 1852-53 was largely provoked by the East India Company, which was hungry for new territory and resources like teak and rubber. It ended in a British victory and saw Lower Burma become a province of British India.

The British landing at Rangoon, 11 May 1824

First Burma War

Frontier clashes between British India and the Burmese Empire escalated into a full-blown war that lasted from 1824 to 1826. This conflict resulted in parts of Burma coming under the control of the East India Company.

British troops in the Transvaal, 1881

Transvaal War

In 1880-81, the British fought a brief war against the Transvaal Boers in South Africa. The Boers were resistant to Britain's annexation of their territory and went on to inflict several stinging defeats during their successful fight for independence.

Cap badge, British West Indies Regiment, c1916

British West Indies Regiment

Formed in 1915, this British Army regiment was composed of volunteers from the West Indies and served in various theatres of the First World War. It was disbanded in 1921, shortly after the end of the conflict.

Sir John Chapple, 1987

Field Marshal Sir John Chapple

Field Marshal Sir John Chapple had a most distinguished military career. He was also passionate about military heritage and history, and a steadfast supporter of the National Army Museum.

Soldiers of the East Yorkshire Regiment at Longford, Ireland, May 1921

Irish War of Independence

Fought between 1919 and 1921, this was a guerrilla and sectarian conflict involving Irish republicans, Ulster loyalists and British government forces. It brought about the creation of Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State.

Bengal Army Troops, 1785

Armies of the East India Company

Originally formed to trade in Asia, the East India Company came to rule large areas of the Indian subcontinent, exercising military power through its formidable armed forces.

Explore Empire events

A British medical orderly treats a wounded German soldier, c1916
Secondary
1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

Trench medicine: Illnesses, injuries and their treatment (virtual)

Explore artefacts and sources on the causes and treatment of injuries and illnesses on the Western Front during the First World War, and assess the impact of these innovations.

’Mutinous Sepoys’, c1857
Secondary
1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

The Indian ‘Mutiny’? (virtual)

Analyse evidence from documents and artefacts, then curate an exhibition to make a case for whether the conflict was a mutiny or war of independence.

School students getting to grips with the handling collection
Secondary
1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

Trench medicine: Illnesses, injuries and their treatment

Explore artefacts and sources on the causes and treatment of injuries and illnesses on the Western Front during the First World War, and assess the impact of these innovations.

The Indian 'Mutiny'?
Secondary
1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

The Indian ‘Mutiny’?

Analyse evidence from sources and artefacts to make a case for how the 1857 uprising in India should be interpreted.

School students getting to grips with the handling collection
Secondary
1 Jun 2024 - 20 Jul 2026 FREE

World at War: Soldiers of Empire

Discover more about the contributions of soldiers from the British Empire in the First and Second World Wars.

Charge of the 21st Lancers at Omdurman, 1898
Talk
19 Jul 2025 £5.00

The Battle of Omdurman

Join Peter Hart as he examines the decisive defeat of the Mahdist forces at Omdurman in 1898, and the lasting legacy for Sudan and Britain. Part of our Victorian Soldier Spotlight.

'1945: The Reckoning' book cover
Talk
15 Aug 2025 FREE

1945: The Reckoning

To mark VJ Day, join author and filmmaker Phil Craig as he explores some of the geopolitical implications of the Allied victory in the Second World War.

Detail from 'Troops of the Royal West African Frontier Force in the Arakan, Burma, 1944'
Exhibition
16 Sep 2025 - 13 Apr 2026 FREE

Beyond Burma: Forgotten Armies

Marking the 80th anniversary of VJ (Victory over Japan) Day, this exhibition shines a light on the remarkable multinational army that fought in some of the toughest conditions of the Second World War.

Explore Empire learning resources

Indian Army troops travelling upstream on a barge, Mesopotamia, c1916
Timeline

India, Empire and the Army: Interactive Timeline

Explore the history of the British Army in India and the British Empire's Indian armies through this interactive timeline packed with over 200 sources.

'The Divided Dominion', poster, published 21 June 1947
Video

The Partition of India: A Poetic Retelling

Discover more about the Partition of India and the events leading up to it through this poetry film, featuring archival images and original epic poetry.

Army and Empire: Gallery Trail
Trail

Army and Empire: Gallery Trail

Follow this gallery trail to find out more about the Army’s role in the British Empire.

Shirley Hamilton: ATS Servicewoman
Video

Shirley Hamilton: ATS Servicewoman

Explore the contribution of Caribbean women who joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) during the Second World War.

Soldiers of the British West Indies Regiment, France, 1916
Timeline

West Indian Soldier: Interactive Timeline

Explore the history of Caribbean people in the British Army, and of the British Army in the Caribbean, through an interactive timeline.

Women of the West Indies Auxiliary Territorial Service, c1944
Video

Virtual Exhibition: West Indian Soldier

Explore the history of Caribbean people in the British Army, and of the British Army in the Caribbean, through this virtual tour of the West Indian Soldier exhibition.

BlackPoppyRose at the National Army Museum
Video

BlackPoppyRose at the National Army Museum

Explore the theme of remembrance and the service of African and Caribbean men and women in the British Army with BlackPoppyRose.

History of Warfare: Gallery Trail
Trail

History of Warfare: Gallery Trail

Follow the trail to find 10 objects that explore the nature of warfare and the British Army through time.

Take a view on soldiers
Video

Take a view on soldiers

Explore the real people serving as soldiers, their reasons for joining, and the lasting impact their roles can have on their lives.

Take a view on the Army's role
Video

Take a view on the Army’s role

Explore what the Army does and why, from fighting in sometimes contentious conflicts to the specialist support and skills it can provide.

Commonwealth soldiers in Palestine
Video

Commonwealth soldiers in Palestine

Discover the diverse range of soldiers who contributed to Britain's First World War effort in Palestine.

Commonwealth soldiers in East Africa
Video

Commonwealth soldiers in East Africa

Discover the diverse range of soldiers who contributed to Britain's First World War effort in East Africa.