The Punjabis in Palestine

A wood and silver paperweight presented by the 3rd Battalion, 152nd Punjabis,

dated 24 May, 1918, commemorating their deployment in Palestine.

Between 1.3 and 1.4 million Indian troops fought in World War One. From 1914 to 1918 around 95,000 were with General Allenby in the thick of the fighting in the Sinai and Palestine. The General summed-up their contribution in a cable to London: "Indian cavalry and infantry have taken a leading and brilliant part in the campaign." And then, after the fighting, Indian Muslim troops stood guard at the Mosque Of Omar in Jerusalem to ensure its sanctity.