Sepoy of the Indian Infantry, circa 1900

A sepoy was an Indian footsoldier (of whatever religion) in the East India Company army or the British Indian Army. The term comes from the Persian language "Sipahi". The term sipahi was also used for cavalry soldiers in the army of the Seljuks and the Ottomans.

In the modern Indian Army, Pakistan Army, Bangladesh Army and Nepalese Army, it is still used for the rank of private soldier.