==include other aspects, including Politics and Economic== # Indian Soldiers and Nationalism During WWI derived from [[WWI on soldiers]] ## Overview

In June 1914, the First World War broke out between Great Britain, France, Russia, and Japan on one side (joined later by Italy and USA), and Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey on the other.
In India, the years of the War marked the maturing of nationalism.

Initially, Indian nationalist leaders, including ==Lokamanya Tilak== (released from prison in June 1914), decided to support the war effort of the government in the mistaken belief that a grateful Britain would repay India’s loyalty with gratitude and enable India to take a long step forward on the road to self-government.
They did not realize fully that the different powers were fighting the First World War precisely to safeguard their existing colonies.

Impact of WWI on Indian Soldiers

1. Naive Loyalty and Manipulated Honour

At the beginning of the war, Indian soldiers were naive towards the British, believing that loyalty would be rewarded with freedom.
The British amplified and abused this loyalty by providing cheap honour and symbolic rewards.

  • A primary source describes how Indian troops “all believe that it is their duty to serve the Sirkar to death,” showcasing how Indian soldiers valued honour over their lives and showed determination to fight by the side of the British.

  • Royalty and bravery were reinforced by British efforts:

    • 8 of 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded to Indian soldiers to enforce loyalty.

    • The King directly visited the Sepoys, who showed “the same pleasure at his visit as the British soldiers.”

  • This extreme attitude implies the naivety of Indian soldiers, unaware that their loyalty was manipulated as part of British imperial exploitation.

2. Culture Shock and New Awareness

The Indian soldiers were also exposed to a different, more humane side of Europe, contrasting sharply with their experience under British colonialism.

  • In France, they were warmly welcomed by civilians. A diary excerpt notes:
    “Nothing could possibly have exceeded the kindness and hospitality with which the French Civilians and soldiers received all ranks.”

  • This experience allowed Indian soldiers to see a different, non-exploitative side of Europe, highlighting the colonial and racist nature of the British Raj by contrast.

3. Psychological Trauma

The war inflicted severe mental damage on Indian soldiers.

  • High rates of self-inflicted wounds indicate significant trauma:

    • “The rate of hand wounds among Indian soldiers admitted to hospital was 57%, a higher rate than that for white soldiers.”

  • This suggests that Indian soldiers faced greater mental health challenges, possibly exacerbated by nostalgia, culture shock, and the British authorities’ neglect of their emotional needs.

4. Growing Discontent Towards British Rule

War experience gradually exposed Indian soldiers to the realities of inequality under the Raj.

  • Letters from Indian soldiers raised accusations that Indian troops were “deliberately sacrificed” compared to their British counterparts, even though statistical proof was lacking.

  • Unequal pay deepened resentment:

    • Indian soldiers were paid far less than British soldiers, sometimes less than 20 rupees per month.

  • In addition, Indian soldiers were kept under strict control, treated “like prisoners” in camps in London, further highlighting the divide.

  • These divisions reflected the broader inequalities of colonial rule and fostered discontent among Indian troops.

Summary: Maturation of Nationalism

  • The naive loyalty at the start of the war evolved into growing awareness of colonial exploitation.

  • Experiences of culture shock, psychological trauma, and institutional inequality seeded a more critical attitude towards British rule.

  • These changes contributed to the broader maturation of Indian nationalism during the war years, setting the stage for more radical demands in the 1920s.

Key Sources