INDIA TRAIL IN THE HOLY LAND
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).
World War I: Indian Units' Movement Path