INVITATION
PHOTO EXHIBITION – INDIA IN WORLD WAR I
Until November 17th, City Hall, Den Haag
A photo exhibition showcasing the contribution of Indian soldiers in World War I will be on display at the City Hall of The Hague until November 17, 2017.
The photo exhibition remembers the Indian soldiers who were killed and wounded in one of the deadliest conflicts in human history and pays tribute to the courage and sacrifice of these soldiers. The photographs narrate the war experiences of the Indian soldiers and also includes photos of newspaper articles, postcards, comics and works of art by the Indian soldiers.
We invite you to visit the exhibition and learn more about the contribution of India in World War I.
Background Information:
It is a little-known fact that the forces of undivided India played a significant part in the First World War. By one estimate, every sixth soldier sent into the War by the British empire was from the Indian subcontinent. Over 74,000 Indian soldiers lost their lives in World War I in which approximately 1.1 million Indian soldiers participated.
Indian soldiers faced a lot of hardships during the war. The supplies that were sent with them from India were inadequate in the face of the harsh European winter. The thin khaki drill uniforms left them exposed to the wind, sleet, and snow. In addition to the searing cold, the techniques of European warfare – snaking trenches with barbed wire, bunkers, and machine gun nests were relatively new to the Indian troops. In Mesopotamia and the Middle East fronts, Indian troops had to contend with harsh climates and dramatic swings between the extreme summer and the bone-chilling winters of the desert. And yet, despite the myriad obstacles, Indian soldiers won accolades for their bravery.
During the war, Indian soldiers were recognized and seen as heroes. After the war, 9200 Indian soldiers were decorated and 11 Indian soldiers who participated in the war were awarded Britain’s highest award for valour, the Victoria Cross, for their conspicuous bravery on the battlefield.