Author: Maxmudov, Temirxon Toxirjon o‘g‘li

Annotation: In recent decades, the historiography of the First World War has undergone significant change, with global and imperial perspectives beginning to replace the traditional Eurocentric approach. Within this new framework, the experiences of Indian soldiers serving in the British Indian Army have become a focal point of scholarly attention. This article presents a comparative analysis of the medical care provided to Indian soldiers during the First World War, examining the fronts in France (Western Front) and Mesopotamia (Middle East). The article argues that these disparities were driven not merely by natural conditions or logistical challenges, but by the political priorities of the British Empire. The provision of high-quality medical care to Indian soldiers on the French front is attributed to the need to uphold imperial prestige and serve propaganda objectives. Conversely, the Mesopotamian front was treated as a secondary theater, suffering from inadequate planning and insufficient medical resources. This led to a complete collapse of the medical system during the advance on Baghdad and the Siege of Kut. Thus, the article interprets medical care not merely as a military necessity, but as a crucial instrument of imperial policy. This study sheds light on the experiences of colonial soldiers within the framework of global history and reveals systemic inequalities within the empire.

Keywords: World War I; Indian Army; colonial soldiers; military medicine; Mesopotamian Front; Western Front; British Empire; healthcare system; war and disease; military logistics; global history.

Pages in journal: 302 - 309