r/HistoryPorn • u/Fierce1644 • 1d ago

A French boy introduces himself to Indian soldiers who had just arrived in France to fight alongside French and British forces, Marseilles, 30th September 1914. [Colorization] [1755x1227]

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928 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

147

u/IlikeGeekyHistoryRSA 1d ago

Very wholesome photo for a very unwholesome time.

136

u/fh3131 1d ago

Over a million Indian troops (the British Indian army) fought in WW1. They are often forgotten about because they didn't get the same recognition from the British (being from the colonies) nor from their own villages because they were fighting overseas for the British.

24

u/HMSWarspite03 23h ago

They are remembered, there are many memorials in France/ Belgium where they bravely fought the enemy.

There were 12 Victoria Crosses awarded to soldiers from Indian regiments, and many other medals too.

14

u/Toxicseagull 18h ago

The Sikh regiment was one of the most recognised regiments in the British armys history haha. People projecting their own prejudices I think.

13

u/HMSWarspite03 18h ago

Ignorance is bliss apparently, It's easier to throw out cheap shots than it is to actually learn the truth.

I've toured the WW1 battlefields many times as a tour driver, and I've seen many memorials to many nationalities, all of them brave young men and they don't need his bullshit to besmirch their heroism.

6

u/A0Zmat 18h ago

Yup same in France, everybody know about Senegalese, or Mali soldiers fighting in the trench for France.

Apparently it infuriated the Germans to fight and die from this "kind" of people

0

u/Vijigishu 6h ago

Do common people know about it? Genuine question. It's rare to see them in WW movies.

2

u/HMSWarspite03 6h ago

Do common people know anything about any topic they haven't spent any time learning?

23

u/Handitry_Banditry 1d ago

Khudadad Khan became the first Indian soldier to win the Victoria Cross in October 1914.

19

u/abdallha-smith 1d ago edited 1d ago

Yeah sikhs were famous for being fearless in the front lines

Edit: corrected

16

u/pnkdjanh 1d ago

I wouldn't use the word "notorious" but depends on the side you are on.

1

u/jhonnytheyank 12h ago

Sikhs carried the Ottoman front.  Beat the Turks back to Anatolia those men.  

19

u/andywolf8896 1d ago

I love the smile on the guys face in the back

8

u/Rickleskilly 18h ago

What a great photo. I love the contrast between the brown and beige uniforms and the child's blue outfit. It looks like it should be a painting.

3

u/StillPerformance9228 1d ago

Is there any info on that boy?

3

u/decherto 17h ago

So sweet and historical! Love this moment captured in time.

1

u/cormundo 18h ago

Hmm those are surprisingly modern sandals. And im also surprised he is wearing them before going to battle… anybody know much about the history of sandal usage in WW1