3 Review(s)

The First World War (1914-1918) was a watershed event in world history. Its repercussions changed the social and political map of the world and influenced largely the freedom movement in the Indian Sub-continent. Many contemporary conflicts trace their roots to the fallout of that war. However, a British colony at the time, India actively supported the war effort in its bid to gain dominion status. The war helped in uniting the Indian Army into a single force. This extraordinary body of men was the largest volunteer army in military history. It played a critical part in defeating the German and Turkish armies in Europe, Asia and Africa. The Indian Soldier fought for the prestige attached to the honourable profession of arms and for the honour of the regiments to which successive generations of their families belonged. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians fought side by side in trusting comradeship then as they also do today. Indian soldiers fought alongside soldiers from Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Africa in diverse countries like Persia, Egypt, France, Belgium, East Africa, Turkey and Palestine. By the end of 1918 around 1,100,000 Indian Soldiers had served overseas. More than 74,187 were killed and over 1,37,000 were wounded. Indian Army personnel earned over 9,200 gallantry awards of which 11 were Victoria Crosses.