Understanding effects of the Great War

M. R. Dua

The book under review scintillatingly describes the unreserved and unstinted role played by India in supporting Britain with its men and material.

What the Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, wrote about the Indian people's plight under the British in India in another context, and quoted by author Yasmin Khan, is an awe inspiring. She quotes Tagore's 'agonies' thus: "… the demon of barbarity has given up all pretence and has emerged with unconcealed fangs to tear up humanity in an orgy of devastation.'
Although the author concentrates on India's support to Britain during the World War II, she avers it was the same also in World War I.
The book helps us understand the 'pernicious, unforeseen and deadly consequences of the war on the lives of ordinary people.' It also recounts how the war fiercely impacted India's economic, social and, importantly, the then political environment. India's independence struggle was at its peak. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru, clearly laid down the conditions for the war effort to ensure that India's support was not to be taken for granted.
The author minutely bares the war's economic consequences, such as inflation and unemployment. 'Heightened nationalism in India… development and democracy were the new political aspirations, among Indians and ultimately led to British decolonization all over the world.
The aftermath of the war also created religious ill-will among Hindus and Muslims, and subsequent fanning of the demand for a separate homeland for Muslims.
One of the most deadly results of the war was the horrible 1943 famine in Bengal wherein millions of poor people perished. 'The horrors of famine immensely alienated soldiers from the war effort.
The author vividly describes the pitiable situation when the soldiers returned from the war. The war claimed the lives of hundreds of soldiers. Interestingly, Britain expressed its gratitude in full measure to those who contributed memorable roles in the war. They were awarded victory medals. There were 74 brave men who were conferred George Cross or Victory Cross.
Also, though few people in India would know, says the author, a Memorial Gate in London's famed Hyde Park, commemorates specifically troops from India who fought shoulder to shoulder with English soldiers and brought victory laurels to Britain and helped it become 'Great'—the title that country is losing fast. Also, one memorial in Brighton, 47 miles from London, is exclusively devoted to Indian soldiers.
The book is a hugely interesting and industriously researched, ably documenting umpteen rare resources in Europe--England, and Germany, and above all India. Its bibliography and documenting pattern are admirable.



		EDITOR'S MAIL MATTERS OF PUBLIC POLICY DEMONETISATION DEMONETISATION DEMONETISATION DEMONETISATION DEMONETISATION ALARMING SIGNALS REALPOLITIK CONGRESS PROSPECTS STATE OF BUREAUCRACY LEARNING FROM HISTORY HITS & MISSES KASHMIR WATCH HOCKEY'S RENAISSANCE HOCKEY'S RENAISSANCE FRANKLY SPEAKING AMERICAN DIARY TRUMP VICTORY SINO-INDIAN TIES INDO-JAPANESE TIES PAKISTAN TODAY BOOK BAZAAR BOOK BAZAAR SIGNS OF THE TIMES YOGA IN DAILY LIFE-VIII A SUCCESS STORY CHANGE FOR THE BETTER ART OF LIVING Issue:December' 2016 Subscribe Now	BOOK BAZAAR Understanding effects of the Great War M. R. Dua The book under review scintillatingly describes the unreserved and unstinted role played by India in supporting Britain with its men and material. What the Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, wrote about the Indian people's plight under the British in India in another context, and quoted by author Yasmin Khan, is an awe inspiring. She quotes Tagore's 'agonies' thus: "… the demon of barbarity has given up all pretence and has emerged with unconcealed fangs to tear up humanity in an orgy of devastation.' Although the author concentrates on India's support to Britain during the World War II, she avers it was the same also in World War I. The book helps us understand the 'pernicious, unforeseen and deadly consequences of the war on the lives of ordinary people.' It also recounts how the war fiercely impacted India's economic, social and, importantly, the then political environment. India's independence struggle was at its peak. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru, clearly laid down the conditions for the war effort to ensure that India's support was not to be taken for granted. The author minutely bares the war's economic consequences, such as inflation and unemployment. 'Heightened nationalism in India… development and democracy were the new political aspirations, among Indians and ultimately led to British decolonization all over the world. The aftermath of the war also created religious ill-will among Hindus and Muslims, and subsequent fanning of the demand for a separate homeland for Muslims. One of the most deadly results of the war was the horrible 1943 famine in Bengal wherein millions of poor people perished. 'The horrors of famine immensely alienated soldiers from the war effort. The author vividly describes the pitiable situation when the soldiers returned from the war. The war claimed the lives of hundreds of soldiers. Interestingly, Britain expressed its gratitude in full measure to those who contributed memorable roles in the war. They were awarded victory medals. There were 74 brave men who were conferred George Cross or Victory Cross. Also, though few people in India would know, says the author, a Memorial Gate in London's famed Hyde Park, commemorates specifically troops from India who fought shoulder to shoulder with English soldiers and brought victory laurels to Britain and helped it become 'Great'—the title that country is losing fast. Also, one memorial in Brighton, 47 miles from London, is exclusively devoted to Indian soldiers. The book is a hugely interesting and industriously researched, ably documenting umpteen rare resources in Europe--England, and Germany, and above all India. Its bibliography and documenting pattern are admirable.