The Indian Army - Indian Hairstyle
Note the hookah on the ground, next to the soldier unraveling his turban, a sight for French spectators captured here on a postcard.
[Original caption] L'Armee de l'Inde – La Coiffure de l'Hindou
France
The Indian Army - The Music
Indian troops in France brought their own music bands which created great interest among the French, who attended concerts in towns where these men performed. Note the dhols and flutes shown here. As one correspondent wrote: “Mr. G.
Indian Bakers at La Penne near Marseille
Indian troops in France were supplied by their own cooks and bakers, with the scent of freshly baked naan in tandoori ovens often wafting over the countryside as reported by the journalists who accompanied them.
Mon Brave Hindou [My Brave Indian]
![Mon Brave Hindou [My Brave Indian]](https://www.paperjewels.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail/public/slides/mon-brave-hindou-2.jpg?itok=nR-XO2aQ "Mon Brave Hindou [My Brave Indian]")
The "Generous Scotsman" is saying: “You are not hot, my brave Indian . . . what do you want I am not offering you my pants!”
Note that the word "Hindou" on French postcards from World War I was used to refer to Indians in general; this was intended
La Guerre French - Front
A very nicely stamped postcard, with the upside down figure, symbol of France, if the the "language" of stamp positioning holds in this case, asking "Do you remember me?"
The photograph is also exceptional, with its details of the men's kits, the
The Indian Army - Indians Washing
Scenes of Indian troops washing were witnessed by French inhabitants, especially women who often found the soldiers attractive.
Requisition of goats for the Indian troops
A postcard showing goats being marched through the French countryside to feed Indian troops fighting on the Allied side during World War I. These scenes evoked great interest among the local French population and were shown on a number of postcards.
With the Indian Expeditionary Force
A rare surviving postcard from the Indian Expeditionary Force, the troops sent to fight with the Allies in Europe during World War I. It is addressed in Urdu to “M.
Armee Anglo Indienne - Campement d'Indiens
A striking portrait of individuals, young and old, who served in the British Indian army that fought in France during World War I. This card is postmarked 1915, and was used to "offer a handshake to a friend."
Armee Indio-Anglaise - Cordonnier Indien [Indian Shoemaker]
![Armee Indio-Anglaise - Cordonnier Indien [Indian Shoemaker]](https://www.paperjewels.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail/public/slides/armee-indio-anglaise-cordonnier-indien.jpg?itok=Ghc3gIlV "Armee Indio-Anglaise - Cordonnier Indien [Indian Shoemaker]")
A striking portrait of an Indian shoemaker in France during World War I, who would have accompanied the 130,000 or so Indian troops who fought on the Western front during the first two years of the war.
