The Bene Israel of Maharashtra developed a long and distinguished tradition of military service in India, participating in conflicts from the eighteenth century Maratha wars through both World Wars. Their contribution to the Indian military stands as one of the most overlooked chapters in both Indian Jewish history and the broader story of the Indian armed forces.
Early Service Under the Marathas and British
Bene Israel men began enlisting in the forces of the Maratha Confederacy and the British East India Company in the late eighteenth century. The most celebrated early figure was Samuel Ezekiel Divekar, a commander who served in the army of the Maratha Peshwa and later became a hero in Bene Israel community memory. According to tradition, Divekar was captured by Tipu Sultan during the Anglo-Mysore Wars and was spared execution because he was Jewish — Tipu recognizing Jews as a people of the Book, distinct from the British Christians he was fighting. Upon his release, Divekar reportedly built a synagogue in Bombay in gratitude, though historians debate the details of this story.
The Bene Israel in the First and Second World Wars
Hundreds of Bene Israel men served in the British Indian Army during the First World War, fighting in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Palestine. During the Second World War, Bene Israel soldiers served across multiple theaters including the Burma Campaign. Several were decorated for bravery. The community’s willingness to serve alongside Hindu, Muslim, and Christian soldiers made them a valued part of the Indian military fabric, and their service helped consolidate their standing as full members of Indian society despite their small numbers.
Independence and the Indian National Army
During the independence movement, some Bene Israel joined the Indian National Army under Subhas Chandra Bose. Their participation in the broader Indian nationalist struggle was another sign of how fully the Bene Israel identified with India as their homeland, not merely as a place of temporary residence.
Post-Independence Service
After Indian independence in 1947, Bene Israel continued to serve in the Indian Army. Several achieved senior officer rank. Their military tradition is commemorated in the Bene Israel community through annual memorial observances, and the records of their service are preserved in military archives in India and Britain.
Source: Bene Israel – Wikipedia