"Beyond this memorial lies an extraordinary, and largely forgotten, chapter of Indian military history: the story of The Parsi Battalion. Formed during the First World War, the Parsi Battalion was unlike any other Indian regiment,” notes Cmde Medioma Bhada (retd) in an email sent to Parsiana regarding the September 2, 2025, Fravardin roz, Fravardin mah, annual wreath laying ceremony held at the War Memorial in Khareghat Colony. Present were Parsis, veterans and a bugler from the Indian Navy playing The Last Post.
"While most Indian battalions had a limited sanctioned strength, the Parsis were granted a full strength of officers and men, the same status and strength as British Army units. Even more remarkably, while other Indian battalions were commanded by British officers, the Parsi Battalion had its own Commanding Officer of Colonel rank, with Parsis filling every rank from officers to soldiers. The Battalion also maintained a reserve force of 551 men in Bombay, trained for guard duty should the war reach Indian shores.”
The stone cenotaph, believed to be the first and oldest War Memorial in the country, was erected by the citizens of Bombay in 1926 and commemorates Parsis who laid down their lives in Europe during World War I. On three sides, the Memorial bears the names of Parsi officers and men who sacrificed their lives in this War. Later, a small memorial was erected nearby in memory of valiant Parsis who died in subsequent wars, including World War II, wars with Pakistan in 1965, 1971 and the Kargil war, Bhada explains.
"Battle experience led to a practice of leaving behind 108 specialists — including instructors, signalers, and stretcher-bearers — to rebuild in case of heavy losses. The Parsi Battalion was not just equal in structure but also in honor and status. They were entitled to and received the same perks and privileges as did the British officers and men, some being even rare among British troops. They were equipped with Lee Enfield rifles, sword bayonets and ample machinegun support; they carried significantly more firepower than other Indian forces. The Parsi Battalion was also the first among British forces to receive ‘Little Willie,’ the world’s earliest battle tank, and the newly introduced metal helmets.
Top: War Memorial at Khareghat Colony;
above: inauguration of the Memorial in 1926
"On the Western Front — stretching from the English Channel to Switzerland — they held forward trenches across miles of Europe’s bloodiest battlefields. Their valor was recognized at the highest levels. The first two Indians ever awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) were Parsis: Capt (later Maj Gen) Sir Hiraji Jehangir Manekji Cursetjee and Capt (later Col) Phirozshah Byramji Bharucha, both from the medical services. Many soldiers were as young as 16, having lied about their age to enlist.”
However, despite their exceptional role, Bhada writes that the Battalion slipped into obscurity. Perhaps because they were counted as a British force, not part of the Indian Army. Today, the cenotaph at Hughes Road, which will celebrate its 100th year in 2026, is one of the few reminders of these forgotten heroes, notes Bhada. S. V.