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Explanation:
Indian Army contributed a large number of soldiers to the British and helped them win the war. British promised self-rule to India at the end of the war. Being a British colony, the Indian Army contributed a large number of soldiers to the European, Mediterranean and the Middle East conflicts of war in World War I.
The Indian Army fought against the German Empire in East Africa and also on the Western Front. More than 13 lakh Indian soldiers served during World War I fighting for the Britishers.They served in places as diverse as France and Belgium, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Gallipoli, Palestine and Sinai. (13 lakh = 1300 thousand)
74,187 of the 13 lakh soldiers who fought for Britishers lost their lives.
Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army once said " Britain couldn't have come through the wars if they hadn't had the Indian Army."
They were heroes, some recognised but mostly unsung. The Indian Army played vital roles during the war.
Indian soldiers won a total of 11 Victoria Crosses for their sacrifice in World War I. (The Victoria Cross is the highest award for gallantry that a British and Commonwealth serviceman can achieve.) A total of 11 Victoria Crosses were won by Indian soldiers. Khudadad Khan became the first Indian to be awarded a Victoria Cross. He was a machine gunner with the 129th Baluchi Regiment.
