**Israel’s Haifa to Revise Textbooks; Credit Indian Soldiers for Liberation**
*By Chanshimla Varah | Sep 29, 2025*
The Israeli city of Haifa has announced plans to revise its history textbooks to acknowledge the crucial role Indian soldiers played in liberating the city from Ottoman rule during World War I. This decision was revealed by Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav at a ceremony held in honor of fallen Indian soldiers at their cemetery in Haifa.
“In every school, we are changing the texts and saying that it wasn’t the British but the Indians who liberated us,” Mayor Yahav stated.
### Correcting Historical Narratives
Mayor Yahav shared that throughout their childhood, residents were told that the British were responsible for liberating Haifa—a narrative that he now knows to be inaccurate. “I was born in this city and graduated here. Constantly we were told that this city was freed by the British until someone from the Historical Society knocked at my door one day and said they had done thorough research proving it was the Indians, not the British, who freed the city,” he explained.
### Historical Significance of Indian Contribution
Indian soldiers, particularly the Mysore, Hyderabad, and Jodhpur Lancers, played a pivotal role in Haifa’s liberation from Ottoman control. The Indian Army commemorates September 23 as Haifa Day in honor of their efforts. During World War I, these Indian cavalry battalions, armed with spears and swords, successfully expelled Ottoman forces from the rocky slopes of Mount Carmel. This battle is considered by many historians as “the last great cavalry campaign in history.”
Among the heroes was Major Dalpat Singh, celebrated as the Hero of Haifa, who received awards for his bravery during this campaign.
### Honoring Sacrifice and Legacy
Over 74,000 Indian soldiers lost their lives in World War I, with more than 4,000 sacrificing themselves in West Asian campaigns. Memorials honoring these fallen soldiers exist across Israel, including in Haifa, Jerusalem, and Ramle.
To further commemorate their bravery, the Embassy of India and Israeli authorities are collaborating to establish “The India Trail” in Israel, ensuring their contributions are remembered and respected.
### Strengthening India-Israel Relations
In a gesture symbolizing the friendship between India and Israel, India renamed Teen Murti Chowk in Israel to “Teen Murti Haifa Chowk” during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit in January 2018. Additionally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Major Dalpat Singh at the Indian cemetery in Haifa during his visit in July 2017.
To mark the centenary of the liberation, the 61st cavalry unit sent a contingent to Israel in 2018 to participate in related celebrations.
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This historic revision in Haifa’s textbooks marks a significant step toward acknowledging the invaluable contribution of Indian soldiers in the city’s liberation and further cements the enduring ties between India and Israel.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/indians-not-british-liberated-haifa-israeli-city-to-correct-schoolbooks/story
