With the Indians in France

Through the voice of veteran Khalsa soldier Hurnām‑Singh, the book portrays the Indian Army’s role on the Western Front. It follows the march from the Jhelum banks across Arabian deserts, through Egypt, and into the mud‑filled trenches of France and Belgium. Traditional hymns and battlefield poetry reveal how old loyalties met the harsh realities of mechanized war.

Readers hear the clash of artillery on Messines, the desperate night assaults at Festubert and Neuve Chapelle, and the fierce resolve of men who fought under mottos invoking both Guru and Allah. The author balances vivid combat description with moments of quiet reflection under a pipal tree, where soldiers recount legends from home as they confront death. This blend of cultural reverence and stark realism gives a personal glimpse into a chapter of the Great War.

The work honors the sacrifices of these soldiers without glorifying conflict, offering a window into their bravery, faith, and the bonds that linked a distant land to the fields of Europe. Its quiet respect invites listeners to reflect on a shared humanity beyond borders.