India contributed over 1 million soldiers to the first World War, over 60,000 of whom were killed. Here are some photos of that forgotten time.
The Indian Army is built upon a long and proud tradition of valour. During World War I, Indians formed a large contingent of soldiers in Europe, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. Over 1 million (10 lakh) troops from undivided India served overseas, of which over 60,000 were killed. Claude Auchinleck, who was commander-in-chief of the Indian Army, had said that the British “couldn’t have come through both wars if they hadn’t had the Indian Army.”
Here are some photos from that forgotten time.
1. Sikh soldiers arrive in France
Source: Old Indian Photos
2. A young French boy introduces himself to Indian soldiers in Marseilles
Source: Old Indian Photos
3. Wounded Sikh soldiers at the Royal Pavilion, Brighton
Source: Old Indian Photos
4. A regiment of Indian lancers preparing to charge
Source: Old Indian Photos
5. Gurkhas in campaigning kit
Source: Old Indian Photos
6. An Indian cavalry regiment in Mesopotamia
Source: Old Indian Photos
7. On the march in France
Source: Old Indian Photos
8. Unloading baggage at Alexandra Dock, Bombay
Source: Old Indian Photos
9. Indian troops in France
Source: Old Indian Photos
10. Indian troops in the Persian Gulf
Source: Old Indian Photos
11. Indian reinforcements who fought at Givenchy
Source: Old Indian Photos
12. Sikh havaldar at Marseilles
Source: Yahoo
13. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala performing a guard inspection
Source: Old Indian Photos
14. Bhupinder Singh with Belgian generals
Source: Old Indian Photos
15. Bhupinder Singh inspects a 12-inch Railway Howitzer
Source: Old Indian Photos
16. A lancer from Bengal
Source: Old Indian Photos
17. 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles at the North-West Frontier
Source: Wikimedia
18. Indian Army gunners at Jerusalem
Source: Wikimedia
19. Indian troops manning a Hotchkiss gun in Mesopotamia
Source: Wikimedia
20. Indian Army Mountain Gun crew, East Africa
Source: Wikimedia
21. Checking a map on the Western front
Source: Wikimedia
22. Indian cavalry from the Deccan Horse during the Battle of Bazentin Ridge
Source: Wikimedia
23. Indian bicycle troops at the Battle of the Somme
Source: Wikimedia
24. Indian soldiers digging trenches
Source: British Library
25. Indian infantrymen training in case of a gas attack
Source: British Library
26. Group of soldiers, Highlander and Indian Dogra, sitting together in a trench
Source: British Library
27. The Dome Hospital in Brighton, which had 680 beds for Indian soldiers
Source: British Library
28. Bal Bahadur, who was wounded while rescuing fellow soldiers
Source: British Library
Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: contact@thebetterindia.com, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter (@thebetterindia).