IN NUMBERS

The First World War was waged from 1914 to 1918. The centenary is being observed

around the world for four years.

The war was between the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire) and the Allied forces (Great Britain, the United States,

France, Russia, Italy and Japan).

9 million soldiers from around the world were killed.

When the war broke out, only one British colony was ready with a standing army: India (which then included present-day Pakistan, Bangladesh and Burma).

1,440,437 Indians were recruited for WW1. They served overseas, specifically in France and Belgium (the Western Front), between August 1914 and December 1919;

50,000 served in the Indian Labour Corps in France.

64,449 Indian soldiers died fighting in battles on various fronts in France, Belgium, East Africa, Gallipoli, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Palestine, Salonica, Russia and even China. 9,000 Indians died fighting in France and Belgium.

PHOTO COURTESY INDIA CORPS ON THE WESTERN FRONT BY SIMON DOHERTY AND TOM DONOVAN Indian infantry in the trenches, prepared against a gas attack.

PHOTOS COURTESY DOMINIQUE FAIVRE A khaki tunic worn by an Indian solider. Most Indian soldiers came dressed in this kind of uniform.