The Maharaja of Patiala, Captain Amarinder Singh paid homage to the immense contribution and sacrifice of the Indian army during WW1.

Captain Singh is also a politician of the Indian National Congress from Amritsar, Deputy Leader of Opposition in 16th Lok Sabha, a former soldier and also a published historian.

At the event held at the Royal Hospital Chelsea he said, “Even today this is a largely untold story of how over a million volunteers stepped forward and helped change the outcome of the war. It is a contribution that can neither be overlooked nor ignored”.

One of India’s most senior military and political figures Captain Singh recalled the story of the sub-continent’s effort during the Great War and emphasized how this enduring legacy of disparate nations and faiths standing “Shoulder to Shoulder” in face of a common enemy had to be preserved.

Of the 1.3 million Indian soldiers, 74,000 died in battle and 67,000 were severely wounded, many later dying as a result of these injuries.

India contributed the most volunteers of any British colony that fought in the war.

The Sikh contribution was particularly notable, making up 22% of the whole Indian Army at the beginning of the war, despite making up less than 2% of the total Indian population.

Many of the soldiers who left India’s shores weren’t aware of the reasons for the conflict.

They fought and died for the honour of their country and for the ‘Izzat’ of the Regiments whose colours they proudly served. Tragically, many sentries on duty in France in the coldest winter of the decade (1914/15) were found frozen to death at their posts at night.

During WWI the XXth Deccan Horse and 29 Lancers Deccan Horse, two regiments of Indian Cavalry served with distinction and were awarded several battle honours; awards to the officers and men included Victoria Cross 1, Distinguished Service Order 10, Military Cross 13, Bar to Military Cross 1, Indian Order of Merit 14, Order of British India 11, Indian Distinguished Service Medal 55, Indian Meritorious Service Medal 98 and Mentioned in Dispatches 14.

Twelve British Officer, twelve Indian Officers and 308 Indian Other Ranks were killed and many more wounded.

A part of the event saw the presentation of a silver salver honouring this contribution being presented as a permanent gift to the Director General of the National Army Museum Janice Murray by Lt Gen Tajindar Shergill.

He was joined in this by Brigadier R J H Baddeley and Brigadier Charles Wright both of whom have fathers who served with the Deccan Horse.

Guests at the event included Field Marshall Sir John Chapple, Lord Singh of Wimbledon, and Paul Uppal MP representing the Government.

Event patrons Maj Gen Peter Davies, Maj Gen Peter Currie and Maj Gen M S Sandhu were also present.

For more information you can visit www.1914sikhs.org.