Foreigners in Ranjit Singh’s court

The Lion’s Firanghis: The Europeans at the Court of Lahore traces the
journey and lives of . An excerpt…

Most of the Europeans who were to have a major impact on the Maharaja’s regime were French and Italians, and they became the most influential and leading personalities at the Court of Lahore

THE Sikh Kingdom under the benevolent leadership of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839) known as ‘Sarkar-e-Khalsa’ and the ‘Lion of the Punjab’ was considered a hegemony amongst all the Indian princely states that were under the jurisdiction of the East India Company in the early part of the 19th century. This was the golden era of the Punjab and its inhabitants, who stood firm against its powerful neighbour, British India, a secular and independent nation forming a buffer state against Russia, but wedged precariously between Afghanistan and China. Its inhabitants were not just Punjabis but there was also a minority of Europeans, who had forsaken their homelands to seek their fortunes and to enhance their careers in the political milieu of Punjab — probably the only province in the early 19th century that still offered any scope of military employment to a select group of foreigners newly arrived on its doorstep.

Court chronicles
Bobby Singh Bansal chose to explore a path less explored when he started working on the manuscript that became The Lion’s Firanghis: The Europeans at the Court of Lahore.
Read More:
The Tribune: Firangis in Ranjit Singh’s Durbar

Indian soldiers join Bastille Day parade

Members of the Maratha Light Infantry (Photo: France 24)
Indian soldiers, sailors and airmen will take part for the first time in Tuesday’s Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, where their Prime Minister is the guest of honour.

A 400-strong detachment, led by a section from the Maratha Light Infantry, one of the oldest regiments of the Indian army, will march down the Champs Elysées under the eyes of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who is the guest of honour.

"When the Indian soldiers will take part in the military parade in Paris on 14 July, it will remind the French of the sacrifice of the numerous Indian soldiers who were killed or maimed in France during World War I," said Jerome Bonnafont, the French ambassador to New Delhi.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy will again host Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (Photo: Reuters)
The Maratha Light Infantry, from the Deccan and Konkan regions in the south-west of India, dates back to 1768.

During World War I, the regiment fought in Persia, Palestine, Afghanistan and Mesopotamia. In the World War II, it took part in campaigns in Europe, south-east Asia and north Africa, including the battles of Tobruk and Monte Cassino.

The invitation, which follows French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s presence at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January 2008, marks another step in the ever-warming economic and military alliance between the two countries.

Military and armaments co-operation are a key element in those relations, according to Delhi correspondent Vikram Roy.

"Joint military exercises are very important, transfer of sophisticated armaments technology and now they are working on counter-mechanism to thwart international terrorism," he told RFI.
Indian soldiers join Bastille Day parade

Rare Honour to Indian Army by France on "Bastille Day’

July 1, 2009 by roop
Indian Military is one of the finest and most professional armed forces of the world. This is evident from the fact that all developed nations take pride in conducting joint exercises with our armed forces and are spell bound by the way the operations are conducted. Continuing the trend, France has invited our troops to participate in the France’s ‘Bastille Day’ parade in Paris; an honour bestowed to very few countries.
Deccan Herald reports that for the first time in the history of Indian Army, jawans of Maratha Light Infantry Regiment Centre (MLIRC) here, will have the honour of participating in France’s ‘Bastille Day’ parade in Paris.
The Maratha contingent will participate in the France National Day celebrations on July 13. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be the chief guest on the occasion and the contingent will participate in the parade in the prime minister’s presence and exhibit the Indian Army’s tradition.
On receipt of an invitation from the France government to the Indian Army, COAS, Gen Deepak Kapoor has chosen the contingent from Maratha Regiment comprising group leader Major Vivek Khanduri, three Junior Commissioned Officers and 144 jawans. The contingent has 70 per cent jawans, who are Marathas, 20 per cent Kannadigas and 10 per cent Tamilians, according to MLIRC sources.
The contingent had won the first prize twice at Republic Day parade in Delhi for the last two years, has continued its practice at Delhi. The contingent would leave for Paris on July 7 by France government’s special flight.
Rare honour to Indian Army by France

Armistice Day observed in Puducherry

Photo: T. Singaravelou
PAYING HOAMGE: Consul-General of France in Puducherry Joelle Rayet and Secretary to Government T M Balakrishnan at the war memorial in Puducherry on Tuesday.

PUDUCHERRY: The 90th anniversary of Armistice Day was observed on Tuesday. Consul General of France in Puducherry Joelle Rayet and Secretary to Government TM Balakrishnan placed wreaths at the War Memorial on Goubert Avenue on the day.

A number of persons including the officer bearers of association of retired French military and civil service persons placed wreaths at the war memorial.
Armistice Day observed