Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored Major Thakur Dalpat Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday while speaking to lawmakers in Israel’s Knesset. The Indian leader highlighted the significant role of Indian soldiers in the First World War, emphasizing their sacrifices in the region. ‘India’s connection with this region was written in blood and sacrifice,’ Modi said, recalling the contributions of over 4,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the war.

The Hero of Haifa and the 1918 Cavalry Charge

Modi specifically recognized Major Dalpat Singh as the ‘Hero of Haifa,’ an Indian officer who led a daring cavalry charge during the Battle of Haifa in September 1918. The battle marked one of the last major cavalry actions in military history and played a crucial role in ending Ottoman rule in the city.

Major Singh, a member of the British Indian Army from Jodhpur, commanded the Jodhpur Lancers. The 15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade, which included troops from Jodhpur, Hyderabad, and Mysore, launched an assault on Haifa, then under Ottoman control. Armed primarily with swords and lances, the Indian soldiers faced heavy artillery and machine gun fire.

Despite suffering eight casualties and 34 injuries, the Jodhpur Lancers captured more than 700 prisoners, 17 field guns, and 11 machine guns. Major Singh was killed in action during the battle and posthumously awarded the Military Cross for his bravery.

Haifa’s Recognition of Indian Soldiers

The liberation of Haifa by Indian troops has gained renewed attention in recent years. Over 900 Indian soldiers are buried in war cemeteries in Haifa, Jerusalem, and Ramle. Haifa Day, observed annually, honors the bravery of these soldiers.

In recent years, local authorities in Haifa have acknowledged the role of Indian forces in freeing the city from Ottoman rule. Last year, Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav stated that the city would revise its school history books to correctly credit Indian troops for the liberation.

‘I was born in this city and graduated from here. Constantly we were told that this city was freed by the British till somebody from the Historical Society knocked at my door one day and said that they have done a thorough research and found that it wasn’t the British but the Indians who freed this city (from the Ottomans),’ Yahav said during a ceremony at the Indian soldiers’ cemetery.

Historical Revisions and Cultural Impact

The acknowledgment of Indian soldiers’ role in Haifa’s liberation has sparked a broader movement to revise historical narratives in the region. This shift has implications for how history is taught and remembered, particularly in Israeli schools and public discourse.

The recognition of Major Dalpat Singh and his troops has also strengthened cultural and historical ties between India and Israel. Modi’s remarks in the Knesset have reinforced the shared history of sacrifice and bravery between the two nations.

As the revision of school history books progresses, the legacy of Indian soldiers in the region will be more prominently featured. This effort reflects a growing awareness of the often-overlooked contributions of non-British forces in the Middle East during the First World War.