Abstract
This article examines the role of Indian soldiers and camp followers during the siege of Kut-al-Amara, from December 1915 to April 1916. Historians have traditionally attributed the demise of the British garrison at Kut to the suspect decisions of its commander, Charles Townshend, and his superiors. This article argues that the conduct of the Indians attached to Towns-hend’s force contributed significantly to its defeat. It also demonstrates that many of the difficulties faced by the Kut garrison were a product of the delicate relationship between Indians and the British command structure of the Indian Army during the First World War.
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