**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 the crucial role Indian soldiers played in its liberation from Ottoman rule during World War I. This significant decision was announced 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,” said Mayor Yahav.
### Setting the Record Straight
Growing up in Haifa, Yahav recalls being taught that the city was freed by British forces — a narrative he now knows to be inaccurate. “I was born in this city and graduated from here. Constantly we were told that this city was freed by the British until somebody from the Historical Society knocked on my door one day and said they had done thorough research and found that it wasn’t the British but the Indians who freed this city,” Yahav explained.
### Historical Significance: Indian Soldiers Liberate Haifa
The Indian Army commemorates September 23 as Haifa Day, in honor of the Mysore, Hyderabad, and Jodhpur Lancers, who played a pivotal role in liberating Haifa. During World War I, these Indian cavalry battalions, equipped with spears and swords, fought fiercely to drive Ottoman forces from the rocky slopes of Mount Carmel.
This battle is considered by many war historians as “the last great cavalry campaign in history.” Among the distinguished heroes was Major Dalpat Singh, revered as the Hero of Haifa, who was awarded for his bravery during this operation.
### Commemorating Sacrifice and Bravery
Over 74,000 Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives in World War I, with more than 4,000 falling in the West Asia region. Their bravery is commemorated at memorials across Israel, including sites in Haifa, Jerusalem, and Ramle.
To honor their contribution further, collaborative efforts between the Embassy of India and Israeli authorities are underway to establish “The India Trail” in Israel, fostering greater awareness of this shared history.
### Strengthening Diplomatic Ties
In a gesture symbolizing the strong bond between India and Israel, India renamed Teen Murti Chowk to “Teen Murti Haifa Chowk” during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit in January 2018. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to Major Dalpat Singh at the Indian cemetery in Haifa during his visit in July 2017.
Further strengthening these ties, the 61st cavalry unit sent a contingent to participate in the centenary celebrations held in Israel in 2018.
This revision of history textbooks aims not only to correct the historical narrative but also to honor the valiant Indian soldiers whose courage helped shape the fate of Haifa and its people.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/indians-not-british-liberated-haifa-israeli-city-to-correct-schoolbooks/story
