India in World War 1 - History - UPSC

The first world war fought between the Allies based on the triple entente of the United Kingdom, France and Russian Empire and the central power of Germany, Austria, Hungary and other countries who joined later has completed a century. In India as in many parts of the world the Centenary commemoration of this war are being held, history is witness to the fact that within days of the British declaration of war on Germany on fourth of August 1914 two infantry divisions and a Cavalry Brigade of the Indian army were ordered to mobilize and prepare for overseas service. The mission had the concurrence of the Indian leaders of that time, Gandhi had commented it is our duty to win over the British through standing by them in there hour of need, Madan Mohan Malaviya also pledged India shall gratch no sacrifice of men and money in order that the British army shall triumph.

Units of the Indian expeditionary Force began arriving in France in September and by late October they were involved in heavy fighting on the Machinerie's in Belgium, in the Autumn of 1914 one in every three soldiers under British command in France was from India. Arrival of the Indian forces was a landmark in the World War I history, no episode in this extraordinary war was more remarkable of a Britain more inspiring than the presence of Indian troops on the continent of Europe. The Indian troops were deployed on the front's of France, Belgium, Macedonia, Mesopotamia, Egypt, North East Africa, Persia and Sinai, Saudi Arabia, China. And Northwestern Province, they actively fought the battles of Somme, Neuve Chapelle one and two battles of Ypres,  Festubert, Mons, Loos, Albert, Passchendaele, Givenchy, Salonika, Gallipoli, Battle of Tanga and Tanganyika, Suez, Haifa, Jerusalem, Megiddo, Damascus, Persia and Mesopotamia, Basra, Baghdad, Saudi Arabia, Aiden Afghanistan etc,  at new Chapelle from 10 - 13 of March 1915 the Indian core made up half of attacking force of 20,000 men and despite suffering heavy casualties of 4200 dead succeeded in capturing important sections of the German line, the contribution in sacrifice made by India during the first world war was vital to eventual Allied success by the time the war ended in November 1918. 

150,000 Indian personnel had been send overseas they served with distinction in every theater of war from Europe's Western Front to modern day Iraq from Egypt to East Africa and from Greece to Gallipoli in Turkey. Approximately 74,000 Indian troops sacrifice their lives during the war, the servicemen of India and more than nine thousand two hundred decorations for bravery including 11, Victoria Cross has the highest Military Award for bravery. India also provided over 100 and seventy thousand animals and millions of tons of supplies.

The Centenary of World War 1 is been commemorated the world over from 2014 to 2018 on the 9th of March 2015 the president of India Sri Pranab Mukherjee laid the wreath at the World War 1 memorial India Gate on the 10th of March the commemorative exhibition of World War 1 at Manekshaw Convention Center delhi cantt was inaugurated by him. 

The exhibition is an endeavour of the Indian army to commemorate the supreme gallantry and sacrifice that Indian soldiers rendered in various theatres of World War 1, it recreates the contribution of the Indian soldiers during the war the corner of Remembrance in the exhibition have old letters and an old home with belongings of soldiers while the sacrifice all includes replicas of Indian memorials and paintings of a Victoria Cross winners in India and abroad, gallantry Hall highlights how the great war was fought and won its impact on Indian soldiers lives on the front and at home and its far-reaching consequence. It also has replicas of Indian memorials and winners outdoor props give a glimpse of the dress, equipment, bunkers, guns and replica of a Brighton Hospital. The miniature hospital has been established to depict the treatment and the trauma that the Indian soldiers went through, we must all salute our countrymen for various martial races in regions across the country who took part in the First World War Guided by the faith and Heritage Indian soldiers fought a war, they understood to be in the best interest of their motherland and fought in unknown lands and unknown enemies. They all deserve remembrance and acknowledgement for the extraordinary in exemplary Feats of gallantry and sacrifice their acts remind of Lord Tennyson's poem The Charge of the Light Brigade .

Theirs not to make reply

   Theirs not to reason why

   Theirs to do and die

Cannon to right of them

Cannon to left of them

Cannon in front of them

   Volleyed and thundered

Stormed at with shot and shell

They that had fought so well

Came through the jaws of Death

Back from the mouth of hell.