Israel’s Haifa to revise textbooks; credit Indian soldiers for liberation
**Israel’s Haifa to Revise Textbooks, Credit Indian Soldiers for Liberation**
*By Chanshimla Varah | Sep 29, 2025*
The Israeli city of Haifa is set to revise its history textbooks to acknowledge and credit Indian soldiers for liberating the city from Ottoman rule during World War I. This significant announcement was made by Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav at a ceremony honoring fallen Indian soldiers at their cemetery.
“In every school, we are changing the texts and saying that it wasn’t the British but the Indians who liberated us,” Mayor Yahav declared.
### Correcting Historical Narratives
Mayor Yahav shared his personal experience, stating, “As children, we were constantly told that it was the British who freed the city, which was untrue. I was born here and graduated from local schools, and it was a widely accepted story until someone from the Historical Society approached me with thorough research revealing that it was the Indians, not the British, who liberated Haifa.”
### The Role of Indian Soldiers in Haifa’s Liberation
The Indian Army commemorates September 23 as Haifa Day to honor the Mysore, Hyderabad, and Jodhpur Lancers—units that played a critical role in the city’s liberation. During World War I, these Indian cavalry battalions, equipped with spears and swords, successfully expelled Ottoman forces from the rocky slopes of Mount Carmel. This campaign is regarded by many historians as “the last great cavalry campaign in history.”
Among the brave soldiers honored is Major Dalpat Singh, famously known as the Hero of Haifa, who received recognition for his gallantry during the operation.
### Honoring Sacrifice and Legacy
Over 74,000 Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives in World War I, with more than 4,000 perishing in West Asia alone. Their memory is preserved at memorials across Israel, including in Haifa, Jerusalem, and Ramle.
To further honor their bravery, “The India Trail” is being established in Israel through collaborative efforts between the Embassy of India and Israeli authorities, creating a lasting tribute to Indian contributions.
### Strengthening Indo-Israeli Bonds
In a remarkable diplomatic gesture symbolizing friendship, India renamed Teen Murti Chowk in Israel to “Teen Murti Haifa Chowk” during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit in January 2018.
Additionally, during his visit to Israel in July 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his respects to Major Dalpat Singh at the Indian cemetery in Haifa. The 61st Cavalry unit of the Indian Army also sent a contingent to participate in centenary celebrations in Israel in 2018.
This revision of Haifa’s history textbooks reflects a growing recognition of India’s pivotal role in the city’s past and an effort to honor the sacrifices of Indian soldiers who helped shape the region’s history.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/indians-not-british-liberated-haifa-israeli-city-to-correct-schoolbooks/story
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