Indian Army bailed out British Empire during Great War: Jody East
KOLKATA: As Jody East lands in city to research on the role Indian Army played in the First World War, Kounteya Sinha speaks to the Royal Pavilion curator on the purpose of her visit and how her work will throw light on lives of Indian soldiers who fought for British Army in the Great War. Excerpts.
What is the main purpose of your visit to India?
As part of a British Council programme, I'll spend a week in India to explore the role of Indian soldiers during the First World War. Since 2014 is the centenary anniversary of the War, it is an incredible opportunity to work with some of the organizations in India who are leading on the commemorations. A little known part of the Royal Pavilion's history is that it was turned into a military hospital for Indian troops in 1914. Over 4,300 soldiers were treated there in less than two years. We are collaborating with the Centre for Armed Forces Historical Research to try and discover more about the soldiers who were hospitalized in Brighton. It's an opportunity for us to raise awareness about the role Brighton played in India's history of WW1.
What do you intend to find in India?
I honestly don't know. When I first started researching on my visit, I had no idea if anyone in India would be interested in the centenary. I contacted CAFHR through the UK Centenary Partnership. They have an extensive programme planned for the centenary and were very keen to find out more about the military hospitals in Brighton.
I am particularly interested in the personal aspect, finding out more about the life of particular soldiers. How was the life they left behind to fight on behalf of the British? How did their families and communities feel about this? How do people feel nowadays about the First World War? This is probably more than a week's research! But I am starting these conversations and it is the beginning of a relationship with organizations in India who are also interested in this.
How important was the role of Indian soldiers in WW1?
There is a quote that says the Indian soldiers "filled a gap that otherwise wouldn't have been filled". At the start of the War, the British Army numbered about 7,00,000, far less than forces in Germany or France. Only the Indian Army was available to support the British Army. In total, over 13,00,000 Indian soldiers fought on behalf of the British Empire. The army was supported with soldiers, money and resources.
How much of their sacrifice will be displayed during the commemoration in the UK?
We want to remember the lives of those who lived and died and raise awareness on their experiences. It's a time for reflection. The Imperial War Museum, London, is renovating its First World War galleries and I believe they will include the contribution of overseas soldiers in their new displays. In Brighton, numerous events and displays have been planned. For example, for six weeks this summer, there will be an exhibition on Brighton seafront called Dr Blighty. There are lots of fascinating images of the Indian military hospitals in Brighton and displaying it on the seafront means thousands of Brighton residents and visitors will see it.
We are also doing a major exhibition at Brighton Museum, part of the Royal Pavilion Estate, called War Stories, Voices from the First World War. We are focusing on 12 individuals who lived through the war. One of them was an Indian.
Are people in Brighton aware of the connection they have with India? And will our activities help them become more aware?
It is definitely a lesser known part of Brighton's history. People are aware of Brighton's reputation as a healing seaside spot. At the time, newspapers really believed the military hospital in the Royal Pavilion would always be remembered. By 1930, it was already fading into distant memory. The Royal Pavilion was fully restored to its glory and until recently, the First World War did not feature in any of the interpretation for visitors. In 2010, we opened the permanent gallery. Visitors' reaction was incredible. People were fascinated by the idea of a Regency palace being turned into a military hospital for Indian soldiers. As interest in WW1 increases due to the high-profile anniversary, we are being inundated with queries.
We are particularly keen to engage young people in Brighton. As the First World War gets further and further from living memory, it is harder for young people to relate to the experiences and history of WW1, although it was so important in shaping modern life as we know it. That's why the personal stories are so important.
How are you planning your India visit?
I'll meet Jayanta Sengupta at the Victoria Memorial. I am not aware if Victoria authorities currently have any plans to explore India during WW1 but given the collections and its insight into the British Raj, I am going to introduce myself and open up the dialogue. I am then going to Delhi to visit the Centre for Armed Forces Historical Research, United Service Institution. Led by Rana Chhina, they have an extensive programme planned for the WW1 centenary. They are building an archive related to the Indian Army in WW1. I am very interested to see what their research has yielded so far. They are including the role of Brighton in some of their works.
Does any Indian soldier or his family still live in Brighton?
Yes. One of the organizers of Brighton & Hove Black History group believes his grandfather and greatuncle fought in the War. We are going to see if we can find out more about him. There is also someone who comes to the memorial service at the Chattri every year. His grandfather had died in one of the Brighton hospitals.
Should the UK thank India for the latter's role in helping them during WW1?
I believe the British representation in India has plans for recognizing and telling this story. I hope what we are doing in Brighton goes a little way to highlighting and thanking Indian soldiers for helping the British Army.
Indian Army bailed out British Empire during Great War: Jody East - The Times of India
*******************************************
For note for historians of the Indian Army
KOLKATA: As Jody East lands in city to research on the role Indian Army played in the First World War, Kounteya Sinha speaks to the Royal Pavilion curator on the purpose of her visit and how her work will throw light on lives of Indian soldiers who fought for British Army in the Great War. Excerpts.
What is the main purpose of your visit to India?
As part of a British Council programme, I'll spend a week in India to explore the role of Indian soldiers during the First World War. Since 2014 is the centenary anniversary of the War, it is an incredible opportunity to work with some of the organizations in India who are leading on the commemorations. A little known part of the Royal Pavilion's history is that it was turned into a military hospital for Indian troops in 1914. Over 4,300 soldiers were treated there in less than two years. We are collaborating with the Centre for Armed Forces Historical Research to try and discover more about the soldiers who were hospitalized in Brighton. It's an opportunity for us to raise awareness about the role Brighton played in India's history of WW1.
What do you intend to find in India?
I honestly don't know. When I first started researching on my visit, I had no idea if anyone in India would be interested in the centenary. I contacted CAFHR through the UK Centenary Partnership. They have an extensive programme planned for the centenary and were very keen to find out more about the military hospitals in Brighton.
I am particularly interested in the personal aspect, finding out more about the life of particular soldiers. How was the life they left behind to fight on behalf of the British? How did their families and communities feel about this? How do people feel nowadays about the First World War? This is probably more than a week's research! But I am starting these conversations and it is the beginning of a relationship with organizations in India who are also interested in this.
How important was the role of Indian soldiers in WW1?
There is a quote that says the Indian soldiers "filled a gap that otherwise wouldn't have been filled". At the start of the War, the British Army numbered about 7,00,000, far less than forces in Germany or France. Only the Indian Army was available to support the British Army. In total, over 13,00,000 Indian soldiers fought on behalf of the British Empire. The army was supported with soldiers, money and resources.
How much of their sacrifice will be displayed during the commemoration in the UK?
We want to remember the lives of those who lived and died and raise awareness on their experiences. It's a time for reflection. The Imperial War Museum, London, is renovating its First World War galleries and I believe they will include the contribution of overseas soldiers in their new displays. In Brighton, numerous events and displays have been planned. For example, for six weeks this summer, there will be an exhibition on Brighton seafront called Dr Blighty. There are lots of fascinating images of the Indian military hospitals in Brighton and displaying it on the seafront means thousands of Brighton residents and visitors will see it.
We are also doing a major exhibition at Brighton Museum, part of the Royal Pavilion Estate, called War Stories, Voices from the First World War. We are focusing on 12 individuals who lived through the war. One of them was an Indian.
Are people in Brighton aware of the connection they have with India? And will our activities help them become more aware?
It is definitely a lesser known part of Brighton's history. People are aware of Brighton's reputation as a healing seaside spot. At the time, newspapers really believed the military hospital in the Royal Pavilion would always be remembered. By 1930, it was already fading into distant memory. The Royal Pavilion was fully restored to its glory and until recently, the First World War did not feature in any of the interpretation for visitors. In 2010, we opened the permanent gallery. Visitors' reaction was incredible. People were fascinated by the idea of a Regency palace being turned into a military hospital for Indian soldiers. As interest in WW1 increases due to the high-profile anniversary, we are being inundated with queries.
We are particularly keen to engage young people in Brighton. As the First World War gets further and further from living memory, it is harder for young people to relate to the experiences and history of WW1, although it was so important in shaping modern life as we know it. That's why the personal stories are so important.
How are you planning your India visit?
I'll meet Jayanta Sengupta at the Victoria Memorial. I am not aware if Victoria authorities currently have any plans to explore India during WW1 but given the collections and its insight into the British Raj, I am going to introduce myself and open up the dialogue. I am then going to Delhi to visit the Centre for Armed Forces Historical Research, United Service Institution. Led by Rana Chhina, they have an extensive programme planned for the WW1 centenary. They are building an archive related to the Indian Army in WW1. I am very interested to see what their research has yielded so far. They are including the role of Brighton in some of their works.
Does any Indian soldier or his family still live in Brighton?
Yes. One of the organizers of Brighton & Hove Black History group believes his grandfather and greatuncle fought in the War. We are going to see if we can find out more about him. There is also someone who comes to the memorial service at the Chattri every year. His grandfather had died in one of the Brighton hospitals.
Should the UK thank India for the latter's role in helping them during WW1?
I believe the British representation in India has plans for recognizing and telling this story. I hope what we are doing in Brighton goes a little way to highlighting and thanking Indian soldiers for helping the British Army.
Indian Army bailed out British Empire during Great War: Jody East - The Times of India
*******************************************
For note for historians of the Indian Army
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