India: the road to independence, 1914-47
World War One
The outbreak of war
Instant support came from Congress, the Muslim League, and the princely states.
27 of the largest princely states put their armies at Britain’s disposal and
commissioned a hospital ship, Loyalty.
Even radical Indian politicians like Bal Tilak declared his loyalty to Britain.
Recruitment of Indians was a runaway success. Troops were soon sailing for
Europe and the Middle East. India’s was the largest single imperial contribution to
the war effort. 827,000 additional troops were recruited by November 1914.
Attitudes to fighting
Indians had a long-running tradition of fighting for their rulers.
Most cited the King or the Empire as causes for fighting.
Military contribution to the war
The first Indian force arrived in Marseilles in September 1914, reaching the Western
Front in time for the bloody First Battle of Ypres from mid October to November.
One battalion was left with half its original number of fit soldiers by early November.
Indian regiments were rested in early 1915 but were soon back fighting at Neuve
Chapelle in March and then at Ypres again in April.
Two infantry divisions were withdrawn from France in December 1915 and were
sent to the Middle East - some said it was because of low morale in winter but
others that Indians were more used to the heat and the ease of sending supplies
and reinforcements from India.
The Middle Eastern force was under-equipped and poorly-led. Thousands of British
and Indian troops were forced to march to Turkish POW camps after surrendering
following a siege. Hundreds died.
Two divisions stayed in Europe until March 1918 when they were transferred to
Palestine to fight the Turks.
About 1.5 million Indians had been recruited by the end of the war. 64,500 died.
Economic contribution to the war
India had contributed over £146m to the war effort by the end of the war.
India had given war loans to Britain as well as spending seeing dramatic increases
in military expenditure.
The economic impact in India
World War One
The outbreak of war
Instant support came from Congress, the Muslim League, and the princely states.
27 of the largest princely states put their armies at Britain’s disposal and
commissioned a hospital ship, Loyalty.
Even radical Indian politicians like Bal Tilak declared his loyalty to Britain.
Recruitment of Indians was a runaway success. Troops were soon sailing for
Europe and the Middle East. India’s was the largest single imperial contribution to
the war effort. 827,000 additional troops were recruited by November 1914.
Attitudes to fighting
Indians had a long-running tradition of fighting for their rulers.
Most cited the King or the Empire as causes for fighting.
Military contribution to the war
The first Indian force arrived in Marseilles in September 1914, reaching the Western
Front in time for the bloody First Battle of Ypres from mid October to November.
One battalion was left with half its original number of fit soldiers by early November.
Indian regiments were rested in early 1915 but were soon back fighting at Neuve
Chapelle in March and then at Ypres again in April.
Two infantry divisions were withdrawn from France in December 1915 and were
sent to the Middle East - some said it was because of low morale in winter but
others that Indians were more used to the heat and the ease of sending supplies
and reinforcements from India.
The Middle Eastern force was under-equipped and poorly-led. Thousands of British
and Indian troops were forced to march to Turkish POW camps after surrendering
following a siege. Hundreds died.
Two divisions stayed in Europe until March 1918 when they were transferred to
Palestine to fight the Turks.
About 1.5 million Indians had been recruited by the end of the war. 64,500 died.
Economic contribution to the war
India had contributed over £146m to the war effort by the end of the war.
India had given war loans to Britain as well as spending seeing dramatic increases
in military expenditure.
The economic impact in India
