Caught in the Crossfire: Journal on Indian Involvement in the South African War 1899-1902

The publication Caught in the Crossfire: Journal on Indian involvement in the South African War, 1899-1902 consists of a series of articles relating to Indian involvement during the War by renowned scholars such as Prof Goolam Vahed, the late Dr TG Ramamurthi, Dr Vicky Heunis and the late Ms Elria Wessels as well as Mr David Grant.

The first chapter provides a brief overview on the British Empire in India, thus giving context as to why India and Indians were involved in a war in Southern Africa.

Chapter 2 reflects upon the reactions and perceptions of Mahatma Gandhi and Natal Indians in the War, and how their loyalty towards the British cause ultimately went unrewarded and unappreciated.

Chapter 3 covers the formation and role of the Indian Bearer and Ambulance Corps during the War, whereby many local Natal Indians (such as Mahatma Gandhi) helped to carry wounded British soldiers from the battlefields of Natal to field hospitals.

Chapter 4 deals with the plight of Indian civilians who were “caught in the crossfire” between the Republican forces and the British during the War, often losing all their possessions and being forced to seek refuges in Natal.

Chapter 5 provides a short account of the Boer Prisoners of War (POWs) who were sent to camps on the Indian sub-continent during the War.

Chapter 6 is the most substantial chapter focusing on the British Indian Army that served in South Africa during the War. This is a reprinted monograph by the late Dr TG Ramamurthi which was published by the Indian Palit Trust in 1996 and whereby the War Museum attained permission from the Government of India to republish in this publication.