Indias involvement in WW1 Flashcards
What was India’s response to the outbreak of war?
The outbreak of war was met with instant declarations of loyalty and support for Britain from all sections of Indian society.
How many of the Princely Stated put their armies at the disposal of Britain?
27 of the largest princely states.
How many Indian soldiers died in WW1?
64,500.
How many Indian soldiers has been recruited by 1918?
1.5 million.
What were Indian soldiers attitudes to fighting?
For most Indians, going to war was part of their well established ancestral tradition of obligation to whoever their emperor was.
What was India’s military contribution to the war like?
India poured men and materials into the war effort therefore becoming a crucial source of supply for the Allied cause.
What happened when the Indian troops were moved from France to serve in the Middle-Eastin December 1915?
Despite being better suited to the climate of the Middle East and near India to receive supplies and reinforcements the move was a disaster for those involved. The Indian troops took part in a campaign against the Ottoman Turks in Iraq and due to haunt badly led and under-equipped they consequently surrendered in April 1916. Thousands of Indian and British troops were forced to march across the desert to prisoner of war camps and many died doing so.
Who was the first Indian expeditionary force made up of?
16000 British troops and 28500 Indian troops. They came from the Lahore and Meerut divisions and the Secunderabad Calvary and they reached Marseilles by September 1914. They got to the Western front in time for the first battle of Ypres in October 1914 and here their losses were heavy.
What was the situation with the Indian troops in 1915?
In the first couple of months of the year the troops were well rested but were soon but back into the trenches. They provided half the allied fighting force and Neuve Chapelle in March 1915 and the Lahore division was thrown into counter attack at the second battle of Ypres in April 1915.
How much had Indian revenues contributed to the Allied was effort by the end of the war?
Over £146million.
How much did India give to the allied force in war loans?
In 1917 £35.5million had been raised and in 1918 a further £38million was raised.
What were the revenue demands in India raised by between 1916-19?
16% in the years 1916-17 and 10% in the years 1918-19.
How did most Indians feel the impact of WW1?
Through increased taxation, shortages of fuel and easing prices, along with worry for the safety of loved ones who were fighting.
How did the war affect India’s trading?
The war disrupted normal trading, creating exchange rate problems and imposed the demands of the military.
How much did food grain prices rise by after the war?
93%.
How much did prices of Indian made goods rise by after the war?
60%.
How much did the prices of imported goods rise by after the war?
190%.
What happened in 1918-19 to worsen the post was situation?
The failure of the monsoon rains to arrive, leading to food shortages.
How did the war actually benefit some Indians?
Indian manufacturing industries, in particular cotton, iron and steel, sugar, engineering and chemicals, expanded in order to replace goods that were usually imported.
How did shareholders benefit from WW1?
They saw their dividends rocket. For example, in Bombay dividends from cloth mills jumped from 6% in 1914 to over 30% in 1917.
What was the Viceroy receiving reports of in India by 1918?
Provisional legislatures were reporting of food riots, petty violence and food rioting: some thought this showed the support for the Raj was crumbling.
