Diversity in service and remembrance
Lesson objectives:
• Analyse the diverse role held by Indian men during the First World
War
• Investigate the different ways of remembering those who served
• Present an account of the Indian Army’s achievements during the
First World War
Mahatma Ghandi
A leading supporter of human rights and independence within South Africa and
later on in his life, within India.
As soon as the war was declared in August 1914 Ghandi volunteered for a non
fighting role supporting the British Army. He quickly trained in First Aid and
enrolled in the Volunteer Ambulance Corps. He eventually became Chairman of
the Indian Volunteer Committee, actively recruiting Indian men to be orderlies
and nurses within the Corps.
In 1918 Ghandi began actively recruiting Indian men for fighting roles.
Does this go against Ghandi’s non-violence way of life?
Ghandi believed by supporting the war effort,
they would prove India’s support and hopefully
gain independence from Britain once the war
was won.
2
India’s contribution to the British war effort
1,302,394
172,815
Indian men fought or supported the Allies
Animals from India were provided
3,691,836
Tons of supplies and equipment
121,595
Indian casualties
Which includes:
3
53, 486
Dead
64,350
3,762
Wounded
Missing or Imprisoned
Investigation and presentation
Using the CWGC Forever India micro-site explore and investigate
your given topic.
Each pair will produce a small presentation of their findings.
As a class we will be producing a large case study of India’s
involvement in the First World War.
Once you have exhausted the website you may wish to further your
investigation elsewhere.
Each pair will be expected to present their historical investigation
their peers.
4
The topics we will cover in the class
Selected facts
Case study:
Case study:
Gabar Singh Negi Khudadad Khan
Case Study:
Kulbir Thapa
Equality in
Remembrance
Headstone
diversity
Case study:
Manta Singh
Case study:
Pahalsing Karki
The Neuve
Chapelle
Memorial
Respecting
different faiths
and religions
Mesopotamia
Campaign
Hospitals
Other memorials Case study:
commemorating Ghulam Haider
Indians in the
First World War
Gurkha Rifles
Case Study:
Badlu Singh
Case study:
Shahamad Khan
5
The Delhi
Memorial (India
Gate)
Case study:
The Indian Army
Gabar Singh Negi