The following news item in the Times of India that “Indians
in South Australia barred from Anzac Day Parade” drew my attention today
morning:
This is not surprising because not many know of
the participation of Indians/India in the World War -1. In my earlier blog post (below), I
had drawn the attention to the fact that not much information about the
participation of India and its people in WW-1 is available in some of the
popular books of history.
World War
-1 began exactly a century ago in 1914 and martyrs are being remembered the World
over. Indian soldiers fought bravely in the war. Thousands were killed and
wounded:
Here, I bring to the fore the participation of
some of the Princely States in the WW-1 from Saurashtra (Gujarat). The
information is taken from the book: Saurashtra No Itihas, by S.V.Jani,
published by Darshak Itihas Nidhi [originally in Gujarati] and photos are from
Wikimedia commons.
Page- 185: “…The 1st World War
(1914-18)…The State of Bhavnagar had sent its team of soldiers under the
leadership of Col. Jorawarsingh Gohil for the service of the British power. The
British Government had praised the service of the indigenous soldiers and their
bravery as well as courage. Moreover British Government was helped by
(Bhavnagar) by purchasing war bonds…”
 |
| Nilambag Palace, Bhavnagar. |
Page-202: “…Ranjitsinh [Navanagar-Jamnagar]
himself went to the western frontier and gave his service in the 9th
Hind regiment of horses under Gen. Kukson. Later he was the A.D.C. of Commander
in Chief Field Marshal Lord French. His three nephews, Lieutenant Kumar Savaji
Sinhji in the battle of Africa, Lieutenant Kumar Dajirajji who participated in
the battle of France died; and Lieutenant Himmatsinhji had worked at the
forefront in Mesopotamia. Navanagar State’s … team had gone to the borders of
Karachi and later Afghanistan. At the encouragement of the His Highness, the
subjects of Navanagar State had invested Rs 26 lakhs in the war loan…”
Page-219: “…In the period 1914-18, during the 1st
World War, Lakajiraj [Rajkot State] helped the British Government with people
and money. The amount of help was Rs 1, 64,312. The State had purchased war
bonds of Rs 53,850 also…”
Page-244: “…In the 1st World War, the
State [Morbi] had helped the British Government with both people and money…”
Page-256: “…In the 1st World War, the
State (Dhrangadhra) had helped the British Government in different ways. The
State had invested Rs 9.75 lakhs in the war loan. The State and the people had
made a contribution of Rs 3.83 lakhs to the war…”
Page-283: “…Not only had the State (Wankaner)
given monetary help to the British Government during World War -1 and invested
money in war loan; but his Highness Amarsinghji himself had given his service
for eight months in the Kathiawar [Saurashtra] Motor Ambulance Corps in France
between 1915-16…”
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| Wankaner Palace, Wankaner. |
End.
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