Diversity in service and remembrance
Lesson objectives:
• Analyse the diverse roles of Indians during the Second World War
• Investigate the different ways of remembering those who served
• Present an account of the Indian Army’s achievements during the
Second World War
India’s contribution to the war effort
1939
• 194,373 Indians in the Armed Forces
(including 34,515 non-combatants)
1945
• The Indian Army had become the largest volunteer force in history - over
2.5 million people.
By the end of the war:
•24, 338 were killed
•64, 354 were wounded
•11,754 were missing
2
Discuss with your partner your
initial thoughts on these figures
of India and the Second World
War.
What do you already know
about India’s involvement?
Investigation and presentation
Using the CWGC Forever India micro-site explore and investigate
your 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 to
your peers.
3
The topics we will cover in the class
Selected facts
Case study:
Gabar Singh Negi
Case study:
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
commemorating
Indians in the First
World War
Case study:
Ghulam Haider
The Delhi Memorial
(India Gate)
Gurkha Rifles
Case Study:
Badlu Singh
Case study:
Shahamad Khan
Case study:
Gabar Singh Negi
The Indian Army
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