During World War I (1914-1918), over 150,000 Indian soldiers took part in military action in the Middle East – in Sinai, the Holy Land and Syria. Indian cavalry, infantry, artillery, engineering and medical units were part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) and by the time the EEF launched its final offensive (Megiddo) against the Ottomans in 1918, the majority of its strength comprised Indian soldiers. More than 74,000 Indian soldiers laid down their lives during World War I, including over 4,000 in this region. In Israel, memorials to Indian soldiers exist at Haifa, Jerusalem and Ramle.
India Trail in the Holy Land
The India Trail in the Holy Land project commemorates the 75th anniversary of India’s independence and honors the Indian military units which participated in World War I in this region. These units from the Indian-British Army played a vital role in the decisive victory achieved in this campaign.
The Indian units fought in dozens of actions of which six were chosen to commemorate India’s contribution to the military campaign in the Holy Land: Junction Station, Nebi Samwil (Samuel), Sharon (Tabsor), Birket el Fuleh, Haifa and Makhadet Abu Naj (Jordan River crossing).
