Though many circles of Bengaluru with ornamental lights gradually paved way for no circle zones, still a few remained, that too hosting very rare historical monuments. Mysore Lancers Memorial circle in JC Nagar, Ashoka Pillar in Jayanagar, Industrial Pillar Park in Rajajinagar, BBMP pillar at Hudson Circle are a few of such important spots of the city. The first three structures have one thing in common. They have Gandabherunda, the royal emblem of Mysore Kingdom.
Every year September 23 is observed as Haifa Day by the Indian Army. Bengaluru also has a strong link to this day. Mysore Lancers War memorial on RT Nagar main road near the entrance of Doordarshan Kendra epitomises the Haifa episode in the history of our armed forces.
When World War I started, the British took the help of troops maintained by the Princely states of Jodhpur, Mysore and Hyderabad. They were all amalgamated to form Imperial Service troops. The British forces were in war during 1918 with the Ottoman army who controlled a large part of West Asia. Haifa was a large port of the Turkish Empire.
According to researchers of Indian army, Mysore Lancers of Imperial Service troops was a personal army of Mysore Maharaja. The horse riding men could use lance, a long spear like javelin very effectively. Hence the name Mysore Lancers. The Mysore Regiment of Maharaja consisted of seven battalions. Which included officers, non-commissioned officers horses, mules, and followers.
From October 1914 to Jan 1916 the troops served in Egypt during World War I. Sri Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV, the then Maharaja, not only sent his troops but also encouraging message to his men in the front. He had also contributed generously to Indian war fund.
The British sent 15th Imperial service Cavalry Brigade to fight the Ottoman and German forces at Haifa. While soldiers from Jodhpur and Mysore were on the actual war field, Hyderabad soldiers were involved in maintaining the communication channel and serving the injured.
The Indian soldiers were oddly equipped with lancers and swords, against the enemy armed with artillery and machine guns. In fact, the British commander, after knowing the arm strength of the enemy, did not want to go ahead. But the Indian soldiers refused to retreat. Unparalleled grit, valour and spirit of these great soldiers with their traditional weapons shattered the bullets from the machine guns of the enemy. Along with Jodhpur the 16th Imperial Cavalry Brigade, these Mysore Warriors on Horse back barged into Turkish position in and around Haifa. This victory also ended the Ottoman Empires 400 years rule over the region.
Haifa war fought on September 22 and 23 of 1918, is considered by the experts to be the fiercest and bravely contested battle in World War-1.
Some soldiers from the Mysore Lancers died in the battle while several others came back victorious in 1920 after the war was over. The Maharaja of Mysore, Sri Krishna Raja Wadiyar and his troops received thanks giving letters from the British Army.
The brave men were not allowed to go to their homes immediately as they were honoured in Palace and in public places. The Lancers finally merged with the Indian army in 1950. Mysore lancers excelled in every campaign they fought and it is said that even Napolean had shown admiration for their bravery.
The India army built Teen Murthy circle in Lutyens, Delhi, the sculptor being British Leonard Jennings in 1922. The Haifa Indian cemetery was built in Israel. The three statues at the Teen Murthy circle represent the regiments of Jodhpur, Mysore and Hyderabad.
Haifa is the third biggest city and the largest port of Israel. It has almost a century old connection with India and Bengaluru through World War 1.
Back at home in Bengaluru, a memorial was erected near the entrance to Doordarshan Kendra on the main road going to RT Nagar as the army was based in Bengaluru and several soldiers from here laid down their life in the war. It is a beautiful, tall and artistically carved obelisk placed on a pedestal. The four side of the pedestal give the details of Mysore Lancers and the wars in which they took part.
A few years ago, the monument was in a bigger circle with a well-laid garden, but the ever increasing traffic has reduced the space of the circle and thereby the beauty and the grace of the memorial of brave hearts. Earlier, the RT Nagar Main Road had a plaque carrying the name Col. Desraj Urs Road.
Col. Desraj Urs was the brother in-law-of Maharaja Krishna Raja Wadiyar. He was the chief Commander of the Mysore troops which, during the World War I, was posted in and around Egypt, Suez Canal Zone and Gaza in Palestine. After their successful campaign and end of the war Col. Desraj Urs was decorated with titles by the British King for his exemplary valour. He was actively associated with a few prestigious organizations, including Vedanta Society started in 1901in Bengaluru.
To commemorate the centenary of Haifa war, the concerned authorities should build a proper circle to this memorial and erect a plaque giving the details of the Mysore Lancers and their achievements.
There is enough space for the traffic to move on the other side of the road, the war memorial can afford to have a nice circle.
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