This year on the ANZAC Day, on the centenary of the Battle of Gallipoli (started 24 April 1915), we remembered in numerous dawn services all those who fought gallantly or died in this catastrophic battle on the shores of the Straits of Dardanelles. Indeed, from last year we have started observing the centenary of the First World War (WWI)- often referred to as the ‘Great War’ - that began on 24 July 1914. The war ended on 11 November 1918, and so for another three years or more the commemoration will continue. In New Zealand and Australia it is of immense significance as in the fields of Gallipoli - in the sacrifices of the ANZAC soldiers - these two nationshave invented their national identities and found a basis for trans-Tasman camaraderie.
In all these memorial services and numerous conferences and seminars it is rarely remembered that Indians too participated in this ‘Great War’. This year in New Delhi at a dawn ceremony on ANZAC Day,jointly organised by the High Commissions of Australia and New Zealand, for the first time the top diplomats of these two nations acknowledged the sacrifice and contribtion of the Indian soldiers at the battlefields of Gallipoli. But it did not become news in New Zealand or Australia, where the general citizens remain completely oblivious of this contribution.
It is unfortunate, because it was no insubstantialparticipation. In all about 1.2 million Indian soldiers fought in WWI in the battlefields of France and Belgium, in the Mesopotamian campaign, and for defending the Persian Gulf and the Suez Canal. More than 60,000 Indian soldiers died and about 70,000 were wounded in the war. In the disastrous campaign at Gallipoli, it was only the 29th Indian Infantry Brigade which had reached the summit of the ridge from where they could look down at the waters of Dardanelles. About 1700 Indian soldiers died and more than 3000 were injured at Gallipoli alongside the ANZAC troops. This was no insubstantial participation or insignificant human sacrifice.
But the stories of these Indian soldiers, their bravery and great sacrifices have almost completely disappeared from public historical memory. In their own country as well in the countries they were fighting to defend they are rarely remembered.No Indian representative attended the centennial Remembrance Day in France last year – although 40,000 Indians had defended France from German aggression in WWI. A recent British Council Survey revealed that 78% of the French respondents believed that India remained neutral during WWI and did not send any troops. The fact is, 5000 Indian soldiers had died defending Neuve Chappelle in March 1915 and there still stands a memorial tomb in recognition of their sacrifice.Last month the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his tour of France,visited this monument, paying his homage to the fallen soldiers of his country. This was the first official recognisition from the Government of India, apart froman exhibition organised by the Indian Army in the capital city. But among the average citizenry in India, very few seem to be aware of this sacrifice. In remembrance ceremonies in New Zealand and Australia the Indian contribution is rarely mentioned. So the question is, why is this historical oblivion? In the next few weeks I intend to write more about this story of valient sacrifice and the unkind historical amnesia.