Wiley We Too Were There: Indians at Gallipoli

The significant role of the Indian Army in the Gallipoli Campaign has often been overlooked. This well researched work tells the story of the Sikh infantrymen, and artillery gunners who fought there. The enormous casualties suffered by the 14th Ferozepore Sikhs during the Third Battle of Krithia in June 1915 bear testimony to their dedication and valour. With Colonel Hundal’s book, a forgotten chapter of India’s military history has been written and he has brought new information to the historiography of the Indian involvement in the Great War.’ – Sir Mark Tully, a renowned former BBC journalist (as facilitated by Sqn. Ldr. Chhina) Even a century after, the raw courage and indomitable spirit of an Indian soldier in the face of all odds in the Great War has generally been well accepted across the globe, without any exceptions. An extensive exploration of the contribution of Indian troops along the Western Front, while has produced an intensive research commentary, the contribution of the Indian troops in military operations on the peninsula of Gallipoli, with an exception of a few, has however, not been adequately researched. Though the sacrifices and bravery of the Indian troops, in spite of not being given due recognition and acknowledgement, has never been subjected to scrutiny, the finer aspects have definitely eluded the memory. Due to limited research, the dimensions related to the mobilization of the Indian troops for Gallipoli, their trials and tribulations, while on the peninsula and the administrative facets of the campaign from an Indian perspective have never come to the fore. In the absence of research, the casualties of Indian troops, both fatal and non-fatal have continued to be a subject of an intense debate and immense speculation. Addressing all these domains of the campaign from an absolutely Indian perspective, the book is a unique and singular attempt to honour the memory of sixteen thousand Indian troops who participated in the Gallipoli Campaign of the First World War from April 1915 to December 1915. About the Author Col Tejinder Hundal, VSM, PhD is a serving Indian Army Officer with twenty-five years of military experience. His academic qualifications include an MPhil degree in International Relations, and a Doctorate in Defence and Strategic Studies from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Along with a profound interest in the participation of Indian troops in the two World Wars, the author is also a keen follower of developments in the emerging geo-strategic construct of Indo-Pacific along with the associated ramifications. His first book delineated the geo-strategic relationship between India and Australia under the overarching dimension of Indo-Pacific region in context of three specific themes of Defence, Diplomacy, and Diaspora. This is the second book of the author.