Will you remember them The Unseen Valour of the British Indian Army and Its Muslim Heroes
By: Asrar Ul-Haq OBE DL
When Japan surged through Southeast Asia in the early 1940s, India faced an existential threat. As Malaya fell and Burma teetered on the edge, the British Indian Army—rich in regional and religious diversity, emerged as a linchpin of resistance. At the front line were not only valiant infantry but also units unified by faith and conviction. Among these, Muslim soldiers played roles of remarkable bravery and strategic significance. Their contributions, often overshadowed in mainstream history, were vital to turning the tide in the Far East.
The Strategic Stakes: Winning the Burma Campaign
Following Japan’s conquest of Burma in 1942, India was under threat. The newly formed Fourteenth Army, under Lt. General William “Bill” Slim, was tasked with retaking Burma and shielding India from invasion. Eight Indian infantry divisions—composed largely of Indian troops—fought alongside British and Commonwealth forces, supported by Indian airmen and sailors. By August 1945, the Japanese had been successfully expelled from Burma, a campaign in which the British Indian Army laid the foundation for Allied victory in Asia.
Two critical turning points were the battles of Kohima and Imphal, in spring and summer 1944. Under relentless Japanese assault, Indian and British soldiers held off encirclement. Despite appalling monsoon conditions, they endured until reinforcements and massive supply drops broke the siege. The Japanese, once poised to invade India, were forced into retreat. These victories marked a decisive shift in the war’s momentum.
Courage and Conviction
Muslim soldiers from regions such as Punjab, the North-West Frontier, and beyond served in many regiments. Most had never ventured far from their homes previously. Their faith was the foundation of their gallantry, they fought bravely alongside other soldiers of other faiths and became some of the most decorated among the British Indian Army.
- Lance Naik Sher Shah Awan (16th Punjab Regiment)
From the village of Chakrala (now in Pakistan), Sher Shah exemplified gallantry. During an intense Japanese assault near the Kaladan River in Burma (19–20 January 1945), he crawled into enemy lines, repelling two waves of attack at close quarters. Despite sustaining a shattered leg, he described his injury as “only slight” and pressed forward. In a final act of bravery, mortally wounded, he continued to engage the enemy until he was killed. For his extraordinary valour, he received the Victoria Cross—the highest military decoration in the British Commonwealth. - Naik Fazal Din (10th Baluch Regiment)
Born in Hoshiarpur, Fazal Din served during the fierce Burma campaign. In the Battle of Meiktila in early March 1945, he performed heroic acts under fire. Though details of his actions are less widely circulated, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for exceptional bravery in the face of the enemy . - Lieutenant Colonel Sarbjit Singh Kalha (2/1 Punjab Regiment)
In 1944, he became the first Indian officer to command a battalion of the 1st Punjab Regiment. In the Battle of Ngakyedauk Pass (Arakan, Burma), his bold strategy opened a vital corridor for the 7th Indian Division to break through Japanese lines. Awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), Kalha’s leadership underscored how Indian—and by extension, Muslim and other minority soldiers—had grown to shape high command in the army.
The Larger Context: Muslim Soldiers in the Ranks
Muslim soldiers formed a substantial contingent. It is estimated that about one million Muslim soldiers served during WWII across British forces, with many thousands fighting in the British Indian Army, and many falling in battle.
Their service spanned the critical ground campaigns in Burma, air support, logistics, and naval contributions. Yet historical narratives often subsumed Commonwealth troops under British command, neglecting the plurality of courage that held the line in jungles, mountains, and rivers where Japanese forces advanced.
The Indian Army became the second-largest Commonwealth force, with 2.5 million men by war’s end. Their actions in the Far East not only secured territorial defence but set the moral groundwork for India’s post-war independence .
Personal Stories and Shared Sacrifice
Soldiers from South Asia endured greater hardships than others, especially Muslim soldiers in POW camps: many refused non halal rations, even amid dire shortages. One soldier described “Muslim POWs refused to eat any meat, declaring it not halal… convinced the lumps were frogs or lizards”.
Despite such adversity, stories of heroism came from every community—Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Gurkha, and others—blending into a collective legacy of fearless resilience.
Remembering
Their Legacy
Today, efforts aim to restore this legacy. Whilst there are many memorials in the UK recognising the bravery of the Sikh soldiers, there is only one dedicated to one Muslim that I am aware of. A dedicated Muslim war memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum — funded with £1 million — will commemorate Muslim soldiers of the British Indian Army. This long-overdue recognition highlights both shared history and sacrifice, helping to educate future generations and combat narratives of exclusion.
Conclusion
In the struggle against Japanese expansion, the British Indian Army—especially its Muslim soldiers—proved indispensable. From Lance Naik Sher Shah Awan’s last crawl into enemy ranks to Naik Fazal Din’s valour at Meiktila, their courage turned despair into strategic gains. Their service, alongside countless others, shifted the tides in battles like Kohima and Imphal, ensuring that India remained unconquered.
These Muslim heroes deserve to be remembered—not as footnotes, but as central figures who shaped the fate of Southeast Asia and gave their “today for your tomorrow.” (Kohima Epitaph and Exhortation). Their stories stand testament to unity in diversity and valour in adversity.
