Sikhs in World Wars
Sikhs in Worlds Wars were and are often referred to as Lions of the Great War. After fall of the Sikh Empire and death of its king Mahahraja Ranjit SIngh, being the most difficult and longest land to take during the British Conquest, the British began recruiting Sikhs in their army in large numbers.[1] Contributing the most volunteers of any of the British imperial holdings that fought in the war, India produced between 900,000 to 1.5 million Sikh troops for combat by 1919. Of these troops, the Sikhs, one of the two loyal 'martial races' of the British Raj, rallied in enormous numbers for the King, Empire, and the defense of Europe.
At the beginning of the war, Sikh military personnel numbered around 35,000 men of the 161,000 troops, which is around 22% of the British armed forces, yet the Sikhs only made up less than 2% of the total population in India. Sikhs, before and after were and are well known for their martial skills, freedom in speaking their minds and their daredevil courage.[2] The Sikhs strongly believe in martial arts and battle warfare and the idea of martyrdom and battlefield heroism. For a Sikh it is a great honor to die fighting on a battle field, qouted in the Sikh Natinal Anthem;Italic text "...May i Die Fighting on the Battlefield Courageously."
- ^ Abel, Ernest. "Sikhs of the war".
- ^ Abel, Ernest. "Sikhs of the war".