Indian Muslims Contribution in WW1 and WWII
adminBy Sarah Owen MP & Paul Bristow MP, Co-Chairs, APPG on British Muslims
Honouring the Forgotten Soldiers of Faith and Courage
Despite their immense contribution to both World Wars, the role of Indian Muslims in the global struggle for peace and freedom remains one of the least acknowledged chapters in modern history. Research by British Future found that only 1 in 5 people in the UK know of Muslim participation in the British war efforts — and a mere 2% understand its scale.
From the deserts of Mesopotamia to the trenches of France, from the sea routes of the Atlantic to the battlefields of Burma, Muslim soldiers from undivided India — now India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh — fought, bled, and died for a cause that transcended borders.
World War I (1914–1918)
Over 1.2 million Indian soldiers answered the British Empire’s call to arms, of which at least 400,000 were Muslims serving in the British Indian Army.
They fought in France, Belgium, Gallipoli, Salonica, East Africa, Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Persia, enduring harsh conditions with extraordinary courage.
47,000 soldiers were killed and 65,000 wounded during the conflict.
Their bravery was exemplified by Naik Shahamad Khan, who defended his post in Mesopotamia despite overwhelming odds, earning the Victoria Cross for exceptional heroism.
Jamadar Mir Dast, another Victoria Cross recipient, led his men at the Battle of Ypres (1915) after all British officers had fallen — rescuing eight wounded comrades under heavy fire.
These acts of valour remain underrepresented in mainstream remembrance.
World War II (1939–1945)
By 1945, the Indian Army had grown into the largest volunteer force in history, with 2.5 million men and women serving across land, sea, and air.
Their service was pivotal to Allied victories across Asia and Europe.
Of the 34 Victoria Crosses awarded in the Burma Campaign, 22 were earned by soldiers from South Asia or Nepal.
India contributed massive wartime production — timber, wool, leather, steel, and cement — becoming the second-largest supplier to the Allied cause.
The Lascars and the Merchant Navy
Another forgotten chapter belongs to the Muslim seafarers known as “Lascars”, who crewed British merchant ships carrying essential supplies across perilous waters.
By 1914, Muslims made up 17.5% of the British maritime labour force, and by World War II that number rose to 26%.
Over 6,600 were killed, 1,022 wounded, and 1,217 captured during WWII.
In 2012, the graves of 11 Muslim seamen from Java, who perished while serving Allied convoys, were rediscovered in Liverpool and honoured with new headstones after seven decades of neglect.
Force K6 – The All-Muslim Regiment
Among the most remarkable was Force K6, an all-Muslim Punjabi mule transport regiment from the then-undivided India. After surviving Dunkirk, they reached Scotland in 1942 and served in the rugged Highlands, supporting Britain’s defences.
Fourteen members of Force K6 died in Scotland; nine rest today in the New Cemetery at Kingussie — their graves now symbols of shared sacrifice.
Legacy of Shared History
Behind the British victories in both World Wars stood the bravery, loyalty, and endurance of Muslim soldiers and seafarers — men who fought for freedoms that extended far beyond their own homelands.
“With such momentous contribution, it is essential that Muslim sacrifice is rightfully included in the British Remembrance period.”
— Sarah Owen MP & Paul Bristow MP
Their stories form a vital part of the intertwined history of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Britain — a testament to faith, unity, and humanity in the face of war.
