St Aloysius College to bring Back Reminiscence of 1st World War at Seminar

St Aloysius College to bring Back Reminiscence of 1st World War at Seminar

St Aloysius College to bring Back Reminiscence of 1st World War at the 2-Day International Seminar on “(The First World War: Indian Context) The Centenary year of the First World War (1914-18)”, on 5-6 January 2018, sponsored by Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi at the College Auditorium.

Mangaluru: Addressing the media persons during a press meet held at Mangalore Press Club, Fr Praveen Martis Sj-the Principal of St Aloysius College (Autonomous)-Mangaluru said, ” Department of History of St Aloysius College will organize a Two-Day International seminar on “(The First World War: Indian Context) The Centenary year of the First World War (1914-18), on 5-6 January 2018, sponsored by Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi.

“The objectives of the Seminar are: To bring all scholars who study the First World War together and deliberate on the topic for the benefit of students and scholars of the region; The trauma, the lessons of the war should not be forgotten and be remembered as important in the history of the country. Accordingly, this is an effort to create literature on the role played by India in the Great War; Since there have been various studies on many facets of the Indian participation in the War and its impact on the society, economy, culture, politics and so on, this is an effort to bring all these scholars in one platform; and An effort to bring international scholars to the region,” added Fr Martis Sj.

The programme would be inaugurated by chief guest of the occasion-Air Marshall K C Cariappa on 5th morning at 9:30 am. Prof. Kaushik Roy of Jadavpur University would be delivering key-note address. Scholars like Peter Stanley of Defence Studies from Australia; Allan Jeffreys, a scholar from the United Kingdom and Scott Moranda from the United States would be delivering special lectures. Prof. Girish Bhat, Professor of History and Politics, State University of New York, Cortland, New York, USA. Praveen K. Chaudhry, Ph.D. Professor of Political Science, Liberal Arts / Graduate Studies, State University of New York / FIT, USA are chairing the sessions

Captain Ganesh Karnik will chair one of the sessions. Scholars from Bangladesh and all over India are presenting their research. Prof. B Surendra Rao, Former Chairman of Department of History, Mangalore University would be the chief guest at the Valedictory Function on 6th January 2018 at 3:30 pm.

The other members present on the dais during the Press Meet were-Dr A M Narahari- Registrar; Dr Alwyn D’Sa- Vice Principal; Dr Vishanz Pinto, Head Dept of History and Dean of Faculty of Arts & Chief Coordinator, and Dr Denis Fernandes- Associate Professor and I QAC Coordinator. All of them spoke during the press meet and briefed about the highlights of the seminar.

The following is “The Theme and the Context of the Seminar” as narrated by Chief Coordinator- Dr Vishanz Pinto, Head of Dept of History & Dean of Faculty of Arts, St Aloysius College.

It is 100 years since the First World War took place. Though the Great War was the result of complex political developments in Europe, it had a significant influence on Indian society, economy and political life. Mahatma Gandhi who had returned to India after his African sojourn during the war had encouraged Indians to join the British forces.

Indians had immensely contributed to the British war efforts in the form of men and ammunition as well as financial resources. The Princely states in India were often compulsorily made to contribute to the war efforts. Leaders of numerous communities and groups in India were made to lead the fund-raising programmes such as collection of clothes and other materials which were sent to the war front.

Politically, India made a few gains after the war came to an end such as the Act of 1919, which gave a few concessions to the Indians in their long and bumpy road to self-determination. The Department of History of St Aloysius College, Mangaluru intends to study and document the history, literature and the accompanying trauma Indians faced during the war. A large amount of literature is available on the topic as well of those times.

We propose to hold an international seminar on the subject involving scholars from Europe, Australia, USA and South Asia. The papers presented in the seminar after due review will be published by a reputed publishing house. Indian Council of Historical Research is partially funding the Seminar.

Optional Data: The First World War: Indian Context

Background: There was complex European politics after the German Unification. Germany wanted to isolate France, mainly due to its own insecurities. There was colonial rivalry between Germany and England.

War started due to the Serajevo incident where a person by the name Gavrilo Princip murdered Archduke Francis Ferdinand. Gavrilo was a Serbian, and the Serbians were ruled by the Austrians. Gavrilo belongs to a group of people called ‘black hand’ which had the motto ‘unity or death’. Austria and Germany were friends. When Germany favoured Austria, Russia moved away and joined France. This unity was referred as Dual Entente. England later joined France and Russia against Germany. Since there were three powers in it, it was called Triple Entente. Germany, Austria were in rival camps. Italy joined it and therefore it was called the Triple Alliance. Thus, Europe was divided into two camps.

Why did India take part in the War?

India was a major colony of England. It was therefore, India comes into the scene. Though the war was purely due to the European politics. When the war started India became a party to the war. The Governor Generals and Governors tried to mobilize entire India towards the War. For instance, Mahatma Gandhi who had returned from South Africa went to the interiors of Gujarat to encourage people to join the army, which ultimately was sent to various European war fronts.

Contribution of India:

India contributed immensely to the war efforts of the British. In fact, India contributed with more soldiers than Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa combined. About 1500 000 Indian soldiers took part. Troops from India fought in all the major theatres of war, from the Western Front in Europe to Africa and China. Not just combatants, there were 43,737 men who worked in the Indian Labour Corps.

Indian soldiers won 11 Victoria Cross honours, Britain’s highest military honours. Overall 13,000 medals were won by the Indian Corps. 53,486 Indian soldiers lost their lives, 64,350 were wounded and 3,762 went missing or were imprisoned. (according to BBC website- 74,187). Mesopotamia proved to be the deadliest battleground, with 30,000 Indian casualties and 32,000 wounded. It wasn’t just the wounds of battle that killed the Indian soldiers. Nearly 9,000 died due to severe winter in France.

Apart from men and material, India also contributed with 100 million pounds of wealth. By the end of the war, 1,302,394 personnel, 172, 815 animals and 369.1 million tonnes of supplies had left Indian shores. The total value of India’s war contribution amounted to £ 80,000,000. That’s about Rs 7,420,800,000 in today’s money.

During the four years of war, the Army Clothing Department produced 41,920,223 garments. A soldier named Ram Singh acknowledges that letters are being censored. “We’re not allowed to write about the war,” he writes. He complains how difficult the war was proving to be. He writes that the information printed in the newspapers was lies, implying that the stories of progress made in capturing ground were exaggerated, when in fact they had “only captured 400 yards of trenches”.

Princely states contributed immensely:

The Princely States contributed much. For instance, Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh, the Maharaja of Bikaner, commanded the Bikaner Camel Corps that served in France, Egypt and Palestine. He also represented British India in the Imperial War Cabinet. Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh fought in the Gallipoli Campaign, in present-day Turkey.

Kanara Christians and Dakshina Kannada:

The marble plaque at the DC office in Mangalore says eighty-eight people had taken part in the Great War and two had given their life from the district. The government had to justify the war and get the support of the people (as British war strategies….)A few members of the Kanara Christians participated. Another incident-Aegean Sea (‘Persian’) a ship was sunk -6 Catholics died.

Konkani Dirven has many reports of the war. The editor requested the readers to pray those who cannot offer a sword. There were fundraising activities such as Fancy Fete. In the second year, they were requested to pray to end the war. till then they were asked to pray for the victory of England. The editor referred to the intervention of Pope in the editorial.

The clergy was complaining regarding the stoppage of financial aid from Belgium and France. There were some suggestions were made regarding starting sugar industry…. and so on. People were so immersed in the war that they were asking for more news of the war…… including cowherd boys…!! When the Governor Lord Pentland visited Mangaluru in 1914 the Catholic community had put up a banner near present Hampankatta declaring-

England! Thy triumph is our all
With thee we stand, with thee we fall
By thee alone must we be led,
For thee our life-blood we will shed.

The clergy, in the beginning, seemed to be frightened of the War, but as a bounden duty and obedience to the rulers which is emphasized by the Catholic Church, they supported their rulers. For instance, at each and every programme the Catholics would sing the anthem ‘Long Live the King’. Though it was a general practice to sing the anthem among all, the Kanara Christians sang it even in their personal functions. It showed the special obedience of the community and their religious leadership to the colonial masters. In St Joseph’s Seminary, when they celebrated the Rector’s Jubilee of 25 years they sang the anthem.

‘Long Live the King’ anthem was sung by the Kanara Christians even on religious as well as secular programmes. For instance, in Kalyanpur it was sung for an event in the school where guests had arrived.

At the commencement of the War, the Bishop issued a letter to all the Parishes ordering his letter to be read to all the faithful on Sundays. He made an appeal to the people to recite the ‘Litany of the Saints’ for this purpose. The letter said the ensuing war was the reason for the sudden death of Pope Pius X that year. In fact, before his death, the Pope had requested all priests, nuns and the people to pray during the War. The Bishop also made a subtle remark about the obstruction in the financial assistance coming to the Diocese from Belgium and France.

There is the belief that the Saints of the Catholic Church in heaven can pray and as a result, the War can end!

Monument at Delhi:

Monument to commemorate the soldiers who perished in WWI (All India War Memorial, presently called the India Gate)

“TO THE DEAD OF THE INDIAN ARMIES WHO FELL AND ARE HONOURED IN FRANCE AND FLANDERS MESOPOTAMIA AND PERSIA EAST AFRICA GALLIPOLI AND ELSEWHERE IN THE NEAR AND THE FAR-EAST AND IN SACRED MEMORY ALSO OF THOSE WHOSE NAMES ARE HERE RECORDED AND WHO FELL IN INDIA OR THE NORTH-WEST FRONTIER AND DURING THE THIRD AFGHAN WAR”

Impact of the war on industry and society in general :

During the war, British goods stopped coming to India. This gave an impetus to indigenous industries. However, once the war stopped again the British goods poured in destroying tiny newly built Indian industries (e.g. …textile). There was a price rise of all goods. People complained and there were references of ‘difficult times’………. in newspapers in Mangaluru–At times people postponed major activities due to financial difficulties in the District, especially among the Kanara Christians.

For More details Call: Dr V Pinto at 9480289560