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Silhouette figures:  Britain and some of her Allies in the First World War:  Painted wood:  1917-1918

The First World War, also known as the Great War (1914-1918) was the first international war to be engaged. There were an estimated 8,500,000 military deaths and 10,000,000 civilian deaths. There were a great many Indian nationals that were involved in the war effort and that died.

To show appreciation for bravery in the face of the enemy the Victoria Cross is awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Indian nationals have received 29 Crosses from 1914-1-1945, nine of these were for involvement in the First World War.

The first Indian native to receive the Victoria Cross was Khudadad Khan a 26 year old Sepoy (Urdu meaning soldier). He was based in the 129th Duke of Connaught’s Own Baluchis in the Indian army and was fighting in Hollebeke, Belgium. Sepoy Khudadad Khan was fighting on one of two machine guns on 31 October 1914. The Officer in charge was wounded and the other gun was destroyed by a shell. Although wounded Sepoy Khudadad Khan carried on fighting even after all the other men he was with had been killed. He was presumed dead by the enemy but eventually was able to drag himself back to his unit.

For recognition of the courage and bravery of the Indian soldiers during the First World War there are two Memorials in Brighton.

The first is the South gateway to the famous Pavilion and it was donated by the Princes and people of Indian for the Indians wounded in Brighton. It was opened by Maharaja of Patiala in 1921.
The second is the Chattri and was built after the war and by the Prince of Wales. The Chattri has a dedication in Urdu, Hindi and English saying: ‘To the memory of all Indian soldiers who gave their lives for their King – Emperor in the Great War, this monument, erected on the site of the funeral pyre where the Hindus.