This article examines the racial discrimination experienced by Indian troops serving in the British Indian Army during the two World Wars.
The British Indian Army, a formidable force comprised of volunteers, played a pivotal part in both World War I and World War II. Countless Indian soldiers were enlisted to serve the British Empire, deployed in diverse battle zones spanning Europe, Africa, and Asia. Nevertheless, despite the recognition and praise for their courage and contributions, these troops were systematically exposed to bigotry and discrimination within the institution they dedicated themselves to. This article examines the racial discrimination experienced by Indian troops serving in the British Indian Army during the two World Wars. It focusses on the unequal treatment, lower wages, and lack of acknowledgement they received, as well as the enduring effects of these injustices on India's collective memory of its involvement in these worldwide conflicts.
The British Indian Army's racism can be seen within the framework of colonialism.
In order to comprehend the racism experienced by Indian soldiers, it is imperative to know the wider framework of British colonial governance in India. The British Empire, motivated by a conviction of racial supremacy, regarded Indians as intrinsically inferior and unsuitable for positions of authority or parity with Europeans. The racist ideology was present in all elements of colonial governance, including the military.
The British Indian Army, primarily comprised of Indian men, was predominantly commanded by British officers. The officers frequently harboured strongly entrenched racial beliefs, perceiving Indian soldiers as disposable, less competent, and less reliable compared to their British colleagues. The army's hierarchical structure perpetuated these views, as Indian soldiers were seldom elevated to higher positions, and their achievements were frequently minimised or disregarded.
Recruitment and racial segregation
Throughout World War I and World War II, the British government initiated extensive campaigns in India to recruit soldiers, frequently resorting to coercion and deceit. Recruits were enticed with promises of fair treatment, honour, and rewards, but these pledges were rarely fulfilled.
Indian soldiers were immediately forced to racial segregation. The individuals were categorised into several groups according to their race, religion, and caste, which served to strengthen differences and erode any sense of cohesion. These groups were frequently led by British officers who had minimal regard for the cultural and religious customs of their soldiers. As an illustration, Muslim soldiers frequently faced restrictions in obtaining halal food, while Sikh soldiers occasionally encountered demands to remove their turbans, which hold significant religious significance.
Furthermore, Indian soldiers were furnished with substandard equipment and medical attention in comparison to their British colleagues. The individuals were accommodated in inadequate barracks, and their provisions were frequently of inferior quality. This differential treatment was not solely a result of the logistical difficulties associated with warfare, but rather stemmed from the prejudiced notion that Indian lives held lesser worth.
Inequities in compensation and acknowledgement
An evident instance of racial discrimination in the British Indian Army was the notable discrepancy in remuneration and perks between Indian and British soldiers. Indian soldiers received far lower wages compared to their British counterparts, but carrying out same responsibilities. The British rulers defended this compensation disparity by employing a convoluted reasoning that the lower cost of life in India meant that Indian soldiers need less money. Nevertheless, this line of thinking failed to acknowledge the reality that British men frequently engaged in combat in foreign territories where the expense of living was similar to that in Britain.
Indian soldiers not only had lower wages, but they were also deprived of the same privileges and retirement benefits as their British counterparts. The compensation provided to the families of Indian soldiers who lost their lives in combat was significantly lower in comparison to the compensation received by the families of British soldiers. The British authorities displayed no endeavour in recognising the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers, who were frequently interred in unmarked tombs or abandoned on the battlegrounds without appropriate rituals.
Indian soldiers encountered discrimination in the acknowledgement of their courage. Although some Indian soldiers demonstrated exceptional bravery and valour during combat, they frequently did not receive due recognition and accolades. Upon being acknowledged, they typically received awards of a lesser rank compared to the accolades bestowed upon British soldiers for comparable acts of valour. Only a small number of Indians were granted the Victoria Cross, which is the most prestigious military honour in the British Empire. These individuals were not the norm, but rather rare cases, and their experiences were frequently minimised in British accounts of the war.
Racial discrimination in the context of military combat
The racial discrimination experienced by Indian soldiers was not restricted solely to their interactions with British superiors, but was also prevalent on the battlefield. Indian soldiers frequently undertook perilous and arduous assignments, including trench excavation, frontline attacks, and the execution of suicidal operations. British officials commonly referred to Indian soldiers as "cannon fodder," suggesting their readiness to use Indian lives as a means to safeguard British forces.
Indian soldiers were frequently deployed into combat situations without sufficient training or support, resulting in a disproportionately high number of casualties among Indian military formations. During the Gallipoli battle in World War I, Indian soldiers were deployed to the frontlines with limited knowledge of the topography or the adversary they were confronting. There was a significant loss of life, resulting in the deaths or injuries of thousands of Indian soldiers.
The Battle of Monte Cassino during World War II serves as another vivid illustration of the prejudice experienced by Indian soldiers. During the intense military operation in Italy, Indian forces were deployed to lead attacks on well reinforced German positions, resulting in significant losses. Although Indian soldiers made substantial contributions, their role in this combat has been predominantly overlooked in Western accounts of the war.
Post-war negligence and betrayal
Despite the conclusion of the World Wars, Indian soldiers continued to experience persistent bigotry. Indian soldiers, despite their substantial contributions to the Allied victory, were disappointed upon their return home to discover that the promises given to them during recruitment had not been fulfilled. A significant number of veterans were granted minimal or non-existent pension, and the British government failed to acknowledge their military participation throughout the war. The veterans had economic challenges that were further exacerbated by the psychological trauma of battle and the racial prejudice they had undergone.
In India, the significance of these troops' efforts was diminished, as the independence movement aimed to create a separation from the colonial force. The Indian National Congress, the predominant party in the fight for independence, regarded the British Indian Army with scepticism, perceiving it as a tool of British subjugation rather than a source of national honour. Consequently, numerous Indian soldiers were abandoned to take care of themselves, with their acts of selflessness disregarded by both the British and Indian authorities.
The soldiers' profound sense of betrayal was exacerbated by the British government's failure to acknowledge and provide assistance. British veterans were honoured and provided with generous benefits, whilst Indian soldiers were neglected and left in destitution, with their services disregarded in the official records of the wars. The lack of attention given to this matter has had enduring consequences on the shared recollection of India's involvement in the World Wars, as the narratives of these troops have only recently started to be unearthed and commemorated.
The enduring impact of racism within the British Indian Army
The enduring impact of racial discrimination experienced by Indian soldiers in the British Indian Army during the World Wars is evident in both India and the wider historical account of these conflicts. Indian troops' participation in the World Wars were often overlooked in Western historical accounts, neglecting their encounters with prejudice and discrimination.
Over the past few decades, there has been an increasing acknowledgement of the significant contribution made by Indian soldiers in these conflicts. Historians and historians are now revealing the narratives of these troops, emphasising their courage and the injustices they encountered. Concurrently with the reassessment of history, there have been endeavours to commemorate the soldiers' memory, both within India and internationally.
India is currently experiencing a resurgence of interest in the history of the British Indian Army, as seen by the establishment of memorials and museums specifically dedicated to the soldiers who participated in the World Wars. These endeavours have been motivated, at least in part, by a want to regain ownership of this historical narrative as an integral component of India's national legacy, and to guarantee that the valour and selflessness displayed by these troops are not consigned to oblivion.
In the United Kingdom, there has been an increasing recognition of the significant contributions made by Indian soldiers, accompanied by endeavours to include their narratives into the wider context of the World Wars. This is seen in the incorporation of Indian soldiers in war memorials and commemorative ceremonies, as well as in the efforts of historians and filmmakers to disseminate these narratives to a broader public.
Nevertheless, despite these endeavours, the enduring impact of racism in the British Indian Army remains significant. The Indian soldiers have endured profound discrimination, which has resulted in lasting emotional wounds for individuals who served and has also had a lasting impact on the collective memory of their offspring. The failure to completely recognise and confront this racism has also played a role in the ongoing tensions between India and the United Kingdom, since the history of the British Empire continues to be a subject of disagreement.
In conclusion
The racial discrimination experienced by Indian soldiers in the British Indian Army during World Wars I and II serves as a clear and powerful reminder of the inequities perpetuated by colonial governance. The troops, who displayed courage in fighting for a cause that was not their own, experienced discrimination and exploitation from the institution they were a part of. Their efforts were minimised, their sacrifices disregarded, and their lives considered less valued than those of their British counterparts.
When considering the history of the World Wars, it is crucial to recall the narratives of these troops and pay tribute to their contributions. By recognising the bigotry they encountered and the injustices they suffered, we may initiate the process of healing the historical scars and guarantee that their sacrifices are not overlooked. The soldiers' legacy serves as evidence of the tenacity and bravery displayed by individuals who, while facing discrimination, confronted the adversities of battle with dignity and honour.
Below are few primary sources that can be consulted for the article on the racial discrimination experienced by Indian soldiers serving in the British Indian Army during World Wars I and II:
David Omissi's book, titled "Indian Voices of the Great War: Soldiers' Letters, 1914-18", is on the letters written by Indian soldiers during the period of 1914-1918. The year 1999.
This book presents authentic narratives of Indian soldiers during World War I, providing valuable perspectives on their encounters with prejudice and discrimination. The collection comprises correspondence penned by Indian soldiers, which vividly depict their hardships and the arduous circumstances they encountered.
Santanu Das authored the book "India, Empire, and First World War Culture: Writings, Images, and Songs" in 2018.
Santanu Das is a distinguished academic who specialises in studying the Indian perspective during World War I. This book delves into the cultural ramifications of the war on India and examines the prejudice and obstacles encountered by Indian soldiers.
Gajendra Singh authored the book "The Testimonies of Indian Soldiers and the Two World Wars: Between Self and Sepoy" in 2014.
Gajendra Singh's research explores the individual stories of Indian soldiers during World Wars I and II, analysing how they managed their sense of self within a colonial military that imposed institutional racial discrimination upon them.
The book titled "The Raj at War: A People's History of India's Second World War" is written by Yasmin Khan. The year 2015.
Yasmin Khan's book provides an extensive account of India's participation in World War II, encompassing the ordeals of Indian soldiers who encountered racial discrimination inside the British Indian Army.
The book titled "Race, Empire and First World War Writing" was edited by Santanu Das in 2011.
This anthology of articles explores the convergence of race, empire, and warfare, specifically examining the treatment of Indian soldiers in the British Indian Army during World War I.
Stephen P. Cohen's book, "The Indian Army: Its Contribution to the Development of a Nation," was published in 1971.
This book offers a comprehensive account of the Indian force's history, encompassing its involvement in the World Wars and the intricate racial relations that existed inside the force.
"Forgotten Armies: The Fall of British Asia, 1941-1945" is a book written by Christopher Bayly and Tim Harper in 2004.
This book delves into the disintegration of British authority in Asia amidst World War II, encompassing the ordeals of Indian soldiers who encountered prejudice within the British Indian Army.
Ashutosh Kumar's book titled "Indians in the First World War: Representations, Perceptions, and Experiences" was published in 2020.
This book explores the wider experiences of Indian soldiers during World War I, specifically analysing their perception and treatment by their British superiors.
Annie Devenish authored a book titled "Indian Nationalist Thought and the Colonial World: The Legacy of Subhas Chandra Bose" in 2020.
Devenish examines the nationalist criticism of the British Indian Army and the way in which individuals such as Subhas Chandra Bose drew attention to the racial discrimination and mistreatment experienced by Indian soldiers.
"Sepoys in the Trenches: The Indian Corps on the Western Front, 1914-1915" is a book written by Gordon Corrigan in 1999.
This book offers a comprehensive narrative of the Indian Corps' experiences on the Western Front during World War I, elucidating the bigotry and adversities they encountered.
These sources provide a thorough basis for comprehending the racism experienced by Indian soldiers in the British Indian Army throughout the World Wars and can be utilised to support the arguments presented in the article.