Remembrance Day marks the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. Parades and services on November 11 will honour those who served and fell for their country.
As the world remembers the martyred heroes, the contribution of the Indian Army to World War I and World War II is often underrepresented in mainstream historical narratives. The immense contributions and sacrifices made by Indian soldiers, particularly during World War I, are not always given the attention they deserve.
During both World Wars, millions of soldiers from the Indian subcontinent fought on various fronts. They were involved in critical battles and played a significant role in both conflicts, particularly on the Western Front in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
Over 1.5 million soldiers from the Indian Subcontinent participated in World War I, engaging in major war theatres. Their valour earned them 11 Victoria Crosses, 5 Military Crosses, 973 Indian Order of Merit, and 3130 Indian Distinguished Service Medals during WWI. Additionally, 12 Cavalry Regiments, 13 Infantry Regiments, and several other units participated in the 13 Campaigns of World War I.
As we approach the day of acknowledging the brave soldiers in the World War, Asian Voice tries to shed light to the role of Indian Army in the war.
The importance of highlighting South Asian stories of sacrifice
Shalina Patel, a historian, teacher and writer, is one of the leading figures decolonising the history curriculum in the UK. Speaking to Asian Voice about Remembrance Day, she shares how she usually wears two pins on her lanyard: the poppy pin and the marigold pin. She explains this choice- “I believe wearing both is my way of paying homage. While the poppy signifies remembrance, it may not wholly represent us as it should. I see the marigold as a more fitting symbol of our remembrance.”
Shalina shares her knowledge about the role of the Indian Army (including present-day Bangladesh, Pakistan, Burma, and other regions before partition) in World War I and explains, “Many people may not realise that Indian soldiers were involved in World War One right from its inception and the perception of their participated in the war is often underestimated. While some might assume only a few thousand were involved, in actuality, more than 1.3 million Indian soldiers served in the First World War. Though disputed, the figures indicate that approximately 74,000 of these soldiers lost their lives. Unfortunately, their sacrifices and contributions have largely been forgotten.”
“Contrary to popular belief, Indian soldiers were very much involved in the iconic trenches of World War One. There are abundant photos, videos, and diaries from Indian soldiers depicting their experiences in these trenches. These soldiers were engaged in the same activities as their counterparts—sharing trenches, food, injuries, and camaraderie. It's crucial to recognise that Indian soldiers were not separate from others; they fought, struggled, and bonded together, underscoring the significance of their sacrifices.”
According to Shalina, there's a prevalent perception that Remembrance Day doesn't necessarily include or relate to the South Asian diaspora. She highlights the crucial need to remember the immense contributions made by both men and women, including those on the homefront, during World War One and World War Two.
She said that “this perception stems from the scarcity of representation. It might sound trivial, but there's a dearth of imagery or presence of individuals resembling us in remembrance ceremonies. Insufficient recognition of their sacrifices by significant figures perpetuates this sentiment. In our education systems, when World War One is taught, it involves narratives of various soldiers' experiences. In my school, we learn about soldiers like Ganga Singh, tracing their journey from India to France. However, there's a need for broader and more inclusive representation.”
The stories of Indians in the World War need to be highlighted in order for them to embrace the significance of Remembrance. Shalina highly recommend the book "For King and Another Country" by Shrabani Basu for anyone interested in learning more about the exceptional account of Indian soldiers during World War I.
Nandini Das, who recently won the prestigious British Academy Book Prize for “Courting India: England, Mughal India and the Origins of Empire” shared her opinion, stating- “Money and resources were drained out of India to support and fuel war endeavours halfway across the world. There was individual heroism and recognition, but also terrible, avoidable loss of lives. Statistics is seductive: it is tempting to think in terms of large numbers and large historical events and forget the individual lives involved, with their small, everyday hopes, fears, and dreams. Perhaps Remembrance Day is also an opportunity to acknowledge the latter. Fragmentary, inconsistent, often difficult to trace, they are a necessary reminder of the human cost of war.”
Leaders reflect on the importance of Remembrance Day
Virendra Sharma, MP from Ealing Southall expressed, “Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and every religion, region and corner of the Indian subcontinent was represented in the British Army of World War One and World War Two. When people march, pause and remember on Remembrance Sunday, they honour the memory of every soldier no matter their skin colour, religion or name. There is a proud history of military service for local rulers, the British and now the armies of independent countries. Service is important to everyone, and I am proud to lay a wreath each year in Ealing Southall at the war memorial, joined by hundreds from our community paying their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Lord Dolar Popat said, “Remembrance Day provides us with an opportunity to take time to remember all those that sacrificed their lives for our freedom. It also provides families and communities to remember those in their own families or community that made contributions.
“For the Indian and South Asian diaspora, it reminds us of the remarkable contributions our ancestors made to the British army during times of conflict. Their sacrifices, bravery, and unwavering commitment to defending freedom and justice should never be forgotten.
“It's a day to honour their legacy and reflect on the shared values that bind us together in a diverse and inclusive society. Cllr Ameet Jogia and I will be laying a wreath at Harrow Memorial to pay our respect. Lest we forget.
Lord Rami Ranger CBE said, “As a grateful nation, we must remember those who sacrificed so much, paid the ultimate price for our freedom and helped preserve our way of life.
“I shudder to think if we had not come together as one, how our world would have been today. This is a very important day when we also remember the soldiers of the Commonwealth who came voluntarily to fight for the word freedom. I am particularly proud of my own country of origin, India which sent over a million strong soldiers, more than Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa put together, and fought shoulder-to-shoulder with the Allied Forces.
“Indian soldiers fought with valour and distinguished themselves with their bravery and loyalty. We are indeed indebted to them for their sacrifices and for giving up their today for our tomorrow.“
Lord Navnit Dholakia PC,OBE, DL said, “Remembrance day is a special occasion when we remember those who gave their lives in two world wars so that we can enjoy the democracy which is our everyday life in this country. Whatever our views about world wars, we cannot forget the sacrifices made by commonwealth citizens towards this end. We bow our heads to them and vow never to forget their contributions for protecting our democratic values. Long May they be remembered for this contribution.”
Krupesh Hirani, the London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow said, “This weekend the UK will fall silent to remember those that gave their today for our tomorrow.
“Remembrance Sunday is quite rightly a day of reflection to remember the sacrifices made by so many, however, I also encourage our communities to spend this Remembrance Sunday remembering the immense contribution that the people of the subcontinent made in the two world wars.
“In my role as London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow, I often meet members of the Indian diaspora in my area who have a relative who served. It is my responsibility to ensure that their relative’s contribution to the defence of our nation’s liberty is not only not forgotten but celebrated.”
