What was India’s role in the two World Wars? Why was India involved?

Two historical events that permanently changed the course of history were the First and Second World Wars. Although Indian soldiers made a significant contribution to the war, their work is not well acknowledged in India.

Background of world wars:

• The Great War, usually referred to as World War I, lasted from July 28, 1914, through November 11, 1918. 
• It was fought between the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria) and the Allied Powers (France, Russia, and Britain). The United States also participated in the war after 1917.
• Almost the whole world was affected by the Second World War between 1939 and 1945. 
• The main combatants were the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan) and the Allied powers.

India’s contribution:

• To serve in the Great War, around 1.5 million men volunteered. After Britain declared war on Germany, nationalist leaders, notably Mahatma Gandhi, encouraged Indians to mobilize four days later. 
• For the Second World War, India formed the greatest volunteer army in history, with 2.5 million volunteers. 
• Along with non-combatant labourers, it also contributed materials and money.

Why their contributions are not acknowledged in India:

• It is due to the tense relationship between the nationalist campaign for liberation within India and the Indian effort to combating fascism on a worldwide scale. 
• Nationalists’ hopes for more autonomy for India in exchange for assistance during the Great War were betrayed, and there is where it all started. This was made worse by the resentment over Viceroy Lord Linlithgow’s decision to declare war on Germany without consulting Indian leaders in 1939 on India’s behalf. 
• The common perception is that wars were fought elsewhere, for someone else.

Way forward:

It’s time to recognise India’s significant role in the global wars, 75 years after the country gained its independence, and elevate it from a footnote in another nation’s history to the center stage, where it belongs. These conflicts also involved India.

Topics: GS-I: World Wars, Cold War and Other Major Events of 20th Century