How Indian Soldiers, Not British, Liberated Haifa: Israel Corrects Historical Record

Yona Yahav, the Mayor of Haifa, made a significant statement while addressing attendees at a ceremony held at the Indian cemetery to honor fallen soldiers.

Haifa:

On Monday, the Israeli city of Haifa paid homage to Indian soldiers who fell in battle, with the Mayor highlighting that the city's history textbooks are being revised to accurately reflect that it was Indian troops, not British forces, who liberated the city from Ottoman control.

"Having been born and educated in this city, we were consistently taught that the British freed Haifa. This changed when a representative from the Historical Society approached me with thorough research proving it was actually Indian soldiers who liberated our city from Ottoman rule," stated Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav.

The Mayor shared these remarks during a commemorative ceremony at the Indian cemetery for fallen soldiers, honoring their valor and sacrifice.

"We are updating textbooks in all our schools to clarify that it wasn't British forces but Indian soldiers who liberated us," Yahav emphasized.

During the First World War, Indian cavalry regiments, armed with spears and swords, successfully cleared Ottoman forces from Mount Carmel's rocky terrain against overwhelming odds, liberating the city in what military historians regard as "the last great cavalry campaign in history."

Mayor Yahav had previously announced in 2009, during the first ceremony at this location, that Haifa's history textbooks would incorporate the story of the city's liberation by Indian soldiers—a fact now well-established among the city's younger generation.

The Indian Army commemorates September 23 annually as Haifa Day to honor three valiant Indian Cavalry Regiments—Mysore, Hyderabad, and Jodhpur Lancers—who helped free Haifa following a bold cavalry action by the 15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade on that date in 1918.

A tribute ceremony for these brave Indian soldiers is organized yearly at the Indian soldiers' cemetery by the Indian mission in collaboration with the Haifa municipality.

Captain Aman Singh Bahadur and Dafadar Jor Singh received the Indian Order of Merit (IOM), while Captain Anop Singh and 2nd Lt Sagat Singh were awarded the Military Cross (MC) in recognition of their bravery during this battle.

Major Dalpat Singh, widely known as the Hero of Haifa, was awarded a military cross for his exceptional courage.

The Jodhpur Lancers suffered eight casualties and 34 wounded in the battle. However, they captured over 700 prisoners, 17 field guns, and 11 machine guns.

India's Ambassador to Israel, JP Singh, described the battle during his address as "almost the only occasion when a fortified town was captured by cavalry on the gallop."

Indian troops played a decisive role in the campaign, leading to the Ottoman forces' defeat in the region. Ambassador Singh noted that more than 74,000 Indian troops sacrificed their lives during World War I, including over 4,000 in West Asia.

"This was one of the final classical cavalry actions in an era witnessing large-scale mechanization of warfare," the Indian Ambassador remarked.

"These fallen soldiers represented all major faiths and regions of our country. This tribute demonstrates that their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten," he added.

Memorials honoring Indian soldiers exist throughout Israel, including Haifa, Jerusalem, and Ramle, with some Indian soldiers having been of Jewish descent.

Approximately 900 Indian soldiers are buried in cemeteries across these Israeli cities.

As a tribute to these soldiers' bravery, the Embassy of India, with assistance from Israeli authorities, is establishing "The India Trail" in the Holy Land.

History textbooks in Haifa now teach about the city's liberation by Indian soldiers to students from grades 3 through 5. The Haifa Historical Society has also been visiting schools throughout the city over the past decade to share this historical account with young people.

In a symbolic gesture of friendship with Israel, India renamed the iconic Teen Murti Chowk in New Delhi—a memorial erected in 1922 commemorating this historic achievement—to "Teen Murti Haifa Chowk" during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Delhi in January 2018.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Indian cemetery in Haifa during his July 2017 Israel visit and unveiled a plaque honoring Major Dalpat Singh for his crucial role in liberating the city.

"I am deeply honored to stand here today to salute the valiant Indian soldiers who laid down their lives for the liberation of Haifa during World War I," Modi wrote in the guest book.

The 61st cavalry, formed after the post-independence merger of the three cavalry units, sent a contingent to Israel in 2018 to participate in centenary celebrations.

In 2018, the Israel Post issued a commemorative stamp acknowledging Indian soldiers' role in liberating the city.