Defence of Europe by Sikh Soldiers in the World Wars

S Chowdhry Mohindra

Description

Defence of Europe by Sikh Soldiers in the World Wars is a fascinating history of the much-forgotten Sikh contribution to the two World Wars. Containing much new research and modern ideas, the book explores how an alliance with Britain enabled Sikhism to spread across the globe and Sikhs to step forward as global partners.Mohindra S. Chowdhry begins his book by exploring the Sikh revolt against the Mughal Empire. He demonstrates how this revolutionary movement proved not that Sikhs were opposed to Islam, but that Sikhism stood for basic human rights, liberty and freedom to follow the religion of their choice.The book also shows how Sikhs eventually allied themselves to the British, after first battling it out with them in the hills and plains of the Punjab. He describes the commonality between the two cultures and their ways of looking at life. This common ground developed into loyalty; a bond which gave the British access to a superb fighting force during the two World Wars, and an alliance which enabled the Sikh brotherhood to enter onto the world stage and has resulted in their spread across the globe.Mohindra concludes with the argument that it is the duty of Sikhs, inspired by deep-rooted principles of justice and equality, to take up the challenges wherever they are to participate in the mainstreams of political and social life.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Military history
• World War II
• Sikhism
• India

Informations

• Publié par: Troubador Publishing Ltd
• Date de parution: 28 mars 2018
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781789010985
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 4 Mo

Extrait

The Defence of Europe

by Sikh Soldiers in the
Two World Wars





Mohindra S. Chowdhry
Copyright © 2018 Mohindra S Chowdhry

The moral right of the author has been asserted.

Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, with the prior permission in writing of the publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside those terms should be sent to the publishers.

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ISBN 9781789010985

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Matador® is an imprint of Troubador Publishing Ltd
This book is dedicated to “Sant Sepohey” (Saint Soldiers), the sons of soil and toil– “the True Grit’’ and their allies who gave their \to-day for our “To-morrow”.
Contents
Foreword by the Chief Minister of Punjab, Amarinder Singh
Foreword by the Lord-Lieutenant of the County and City of Bristol, Peaches Golding OBE
Acknowledgements
Preface
1 Introduction
2 Sikhs and Mughals
3 Sikhs vs Sikhs
4 Sikhs vs British, 1810-1850
5 The Sikh contribution during the First World War
6 Personal narratives from the First World War
7 Sikhs in the Second World War
8 Conclusion
Foreword
by the Chief Minister of Punjab, Amarinder Singh
In his book The Defence of Europe by Sikh Soldiers in the Two World Wars , Mr Mohindra Chowdhry makes reference to the Pre and Post-Aryan periods in Northern India, and then sketches the growth of Sikhism whilst maintaining that, though there may have been struggles with the existing order, there was never any antagonism against any particular religion. He draws a historical parallel betweem the attempts by the Mughals to eradicate Sikhism with the persecution of the Jews through history. He traces the high point of Sikh influence in the region, leading to their alliane with the British and thence on to the global stage. Mr Mohindra Chowdhry argues that it is very important for the Sikhs to play an important role in the life of the nations and to blend in well with the communities of the individual Countries in which the Sikhs now live. It is equally important to keep their identity and to be faithful to their adopted countries. For a Sikh, he claims, one’s motherland is where one is born and Punjab, however, is the land of Sikh ancestors.
Foreword
by the Lord-Lieutenant of the County and City of Bristol, Peaches Golding OBE
For more than three decades, I have been privileged to call Mohindra Chowdhry my friend. Over the years, I have witnessed first-hand how this kind, warm and avuncular gentleman has encouraged Sikhs across Bristol and beyond to play a full role in the mainstream life of the communities in which they live. His purposeful introductions between Sikhs and local city leaders have bridged gulfs between communities by raising awareness of cultural and religious traditions. These deeply rooted principles of cohesion and participation are evident in his book The Defence of Europe by Sikh Soldiers in the Two World Wars.
The book recounts Sikh military history from the days of the predominately Mughal Dynasty in eighteenth-century India to the present day. His considered insight exposes how centuries-old myths about Sikhism – which itself stands for basic human rights, liberty and the freedom to choose the religion of one’s choice – was not the source of historic Sikhism-Muslim or Sikhism-British conflict, but something entirely different. He identifies how these myths grew and what impact they have had.
Above all, Mohindra explores how the principles of Sikhism enable its followers to integrate so successfully into communities and societies whose values may differ from theirs; as at its core, Sikh values spread harmony on the basis that all humanity stems from the same root or source. As Mohindra might say, it is by one’s own actions that each individual is judged. Although I am not a military historian, the letters written by Sikh military men fighting in World War I provided a window into their lives and experiences. Likewise, photographs taken during the second World War underline the impact of the wars on India and the world of today.
Acknowledgements
I want to thank my father, Sardar Nand Singh Chowdhry, and my mother, Sardarne Virahn Wali, for their constant support when I was younger, and for handing down the Sikh faith, which has always provided me with comfort and support. With regards this project, I would like to thank Adeela Shafi for her help with the initial ideas and Paul Morrissey for his assistance with my research as it developed. The Imperial War Museum provided access to digitised images and permission to include some in these pages, for which I am most grateful. Professor David Omissi was most generous in allowing me to use his materials in the form of soldiers’ letters translated from various languages in northern India. I have been a constant visitor to Bristol Central Library during the last three years, and I express my gratitude to the staff there who have been so helpful. I also thank my brother-in-law, Brigadier TPS Chowdhury, AVSM (Retd.) The Bombay Sappers for his excellent advice and help for writing this book – my first project.
Preface
At a recent Diwali celebration in Bristol, UK, which I was hosting, I told the following story to the guests....

The scene is a Sikh soldier in the Western Front at the Somme, in Belgium. This brave soldier was lying on the ground with his rifle at his side, and looking for some German soldiers. Suddenly, a shell dropped a few yards from him; luckily, he was not injured.
When the smoke cleared, there, just in front of him, was a 5 feet-deep hole, left by the exploding shell. Well, he thought, this is a perfect defensive position, and he jumped into the hole. Now he was able to aim at the enemy, who were not far off. He managed to shoot eight enemy soldiers and was still trying to get more.
Suddenly, and so typical of the British, his staff sergeant, who was always complaining about the Sikh’s lack of a helmet, shouted from behind: ‘ oye, Singh...come back from that f...... ing hole, and stop showing off ! And don’t get that turban dirty.’
I hope the guests enjoyed the anecdote, they certainly seemed to. But why do I repeat this here? The story reveals what this book is about. This book is about the ‘soldier saints’, those soldiers of the Sikh tradition whose bravery is the stuff of legend. How did this tradition of excellence in the martial arts come about? How did the environment of the Panjab mould them, how did the teachings of the prophets reach so deeply into their spirits and shape their collective behaviour? And what about this association with the British? How did this come about? And how has this association with the British military and the establishment affected the journey of the Sikh nation?
This is my story.
Mohindra S Chowdhry
1
Introduction
Long hair is a Sikh tradition, and very difficult to manage, especially for a boy. My mother would sit me down sometimes and try to comb out the tangles. As I squirmed around in discomfort and impatience, she would try to distract me, telling me stories about my family and their exploits in north India. When I look back at those times in Delhi, I often think that it was only through my mother that I heard these stories, so rich in detail but also in spirit; I seemed to have picked up very little from my father or other male relatives.
My years in England as a young man were the years when I began to discover myself and my Sikh identity. The Sikh story stayed dormant in some corner of my mind; it was not forgotten, nor even fresh, but still just alive. The human side and the human approach of the story interested me most, rather than the religious side. I started inquiring within myself, still unsure how to ask questions, satisfied to keep a lid on my disturbed feelings.
Quiet often I had the opportunity to watch Hollywood movies and the British produced blockbusters, either on the TV or in the cinema halls, where only the contributions made by the United States or the United Kingdom were high-lighted; seldom was any reference made of the participation of other communities, such as the Sikhs, in both the World Wars. This omission took place not only in Europe or North America but also in India as well. Even today the Indian moviemakers choose not make an effort to highlight the Sikh participation in the defence services, nor in general day to day life, a participation which is in every way pivotal.
I was determined that one day I would try to fully illustrate the Sikh input during both the World Wars, where they fought with great valour for the freedom of mankind, as they travelled to strange lands and gave their lives for the people whom they had never met before, but had a mutual friend, the British. The British had great faith in the Sikhs and the Sikhs made sure not to let them down, and the British launched them onto the world stage. The result of this excellent partnership was that, as we see to-day, Sikhs are residing in almost every democratic country on this planet and their services are highly appreciated in the main stream.
Those who build character are the great Builders, th