Purbiya (soldiers)

Purbiya (or Purabia) was a common term used in late-medieval and early modern India for mercenaries and soldiers from the eastern Gangetic Plain - areas corresponding to present-day western Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The Purbiyas played a significant role in the militaries of various principalities in Western India including the Marwar army as well at the Gujarat Sultanate and Malwa Sultanate.

The area around Bihar was famous for a high concentration of saltpetre, meaning that many mercenaries from this region were experts in the use of muskets.

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