A great sacrifice to make British Asians proud

India’s huge contribution to the First World War, inspired by Gandhi, is symbolised by a new poppy

The English and Indian cricket teams made history at the Oval yesterday during the fifth and final Test match – but not in terms of runs, overs or wickets. The two teams united to recognise the role of Indian soldiers in the First World War as part of the Royal British Legion’s movement to thank all those who served and sacrificed, and changed our world. The two squad captains were the first to wear a unique poppy made out of khadi, the handwoven cotton closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi, which will be formally unveiled tomorrow at a special match day hosted by Surrey County Cricket Club. Commissioned by the Royal British Legion to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, this red cloth poppy is otherwise identical in every respect to the traditional British symbol of remembrance.

The massive contribution of Commonwealth forces 100 years ago, particularly from undivided India, is a key focus for the Royal British Legion during this year’s anniversary. More than 1.3 million Indian soldiers served in the First World War, across multiple continents, from the Somme to the Sahara, and over 74,000 lost their lives. They fought with courage and distinction: 11 were awarded the Victoria Cross for their outstanding bravery. Indians not only put their lives on the line but also contributed over £20 billion in today’s money, as well as providing 3.7 million tonnes of supplies, over 10,000 nurses and 170,000 animals to the war effort.

But figures alone don’t do justice to the human dimension. Those who served were predominantly young men, who had travelled thousands of miles by ship from their homeland to fight a distant war. They had to adjust to a cold and harsh climate with completely different food, language and customs. The first Indian soldiers arrived on the Western Front within six weeks of the outbreak of war, ill prepared for the freezing weather, grappling with unfamiliar equipment and lack of ammunition. Some didn’t even fully appreciate the cause they were fighting for – but they did their duty and did their nation proud.

The solidarity of today’s cricketers in honouring these fallen heroes matches the solidarity shown by India during Britain’s hour of need. And it uses an evocative symbol of India’s freedom struggle to provide a subtle twist to the traditional British poppy. Khadi is a handwoven fabric made famous by Gandhi, who promoted the use of a spinning wheel to make India more self-sufficient and encourage rural employment. As a result, the homespun cloth became synonymous with India’s Swadeshi, or independence movement.

Although many associate Gandhi with non-violence and vigorously opposing the British Raj, his behaviour during the First World War is highly revealing. At its outbreak he was on a ship from South Africa homeward bound to India, with a scheduled stop in England. On August 6 1914 he landed in Southampton and declared his unconditional support for the war effort, calling a meeting of his Indian friends to raise an ambulance unit. He later wrote: “It was our duty to win their help by standing by them in their hour of need.” England’s need, he felt, “should not be turned into our opportunity… it was more becoming and far-sighted not to press our demands while the war lasted”.

What was meant to be a brief sojourn in London turned into a four-month stay, during which time Gandhi chaired a committee recruiting members for the Indian Field Ambulance Corps. He took nursing classes with his wife and even secured the support of the Aga Khan.

When he eventually returned to India, he was also active in enlisting volunteers to the Indian Army, including from his home state of Gujurat. Openly proclaiming himself “recruiting agent-in-chief ”, he defied criticism from friends and colleagues, arguing that to become equal partners with the British it was important for India to acquire the skills and ability to defend itself. Although he was always careful to make clear that “I personally will not kill or injure anybody, friend or foe”, Gandhi’s principled and loyal support was crucial at a difficult time in India’s relationship with Britain.

The khadi poppy is therefore hugely symbolic. It not only recognises the outsized contribution of Indian soldiers during that war; it also sends an important signal to young Asians growing up in Britain, who should know that their fathers and grandfathers didn’t just come here as immigrants. Our ancestors fought for this country and for freedom and democracy – even though they lived in a colony at the time. We therefore have as much of a stake here as anyone else.

British Asians should be proud of the role which their forebears played in shaping the destiny of the world. So I hope they, too, will join the Indian and English cricketers in saying thank you to the First World War generation – and expressing our eternal gratitude for all they did for us.

Lord Gadhia is an Ambassador for the Royal British Legion’s Thank You campaign