The long-lost story of Indian Army soldiers who camped in the early 20th century on the magnificent grounds of Hampton Court Palace in southwest of London will be unveiled in an upcoming exhibition opening in September in the UK.
"The Indian Army at the Palace" will share an intriguing tale that vividly depicts the captivating stories of the valiant Indian soldiers, who camped at the famous Hampton Court estate on not just one, but four momentous occasions.
These significant occasions include the Coronations of King Edward VII in 1902, King George V in 1911, and George VI in 1937, as well as the for First World War Victory Parade in London.
The exhibition aims to showcase the experiences of the soldiers living in the camps, and how the media and public reacted to it.
The exhibition will showcase the soldiers' daily routines, meeting their cultural and religious requirements, and providing amusement through exciting trips to attractions in London and across the country.
Ahead of the exhibition, the Historic Royal Palaces (HRP), the charity that cares for Hampton Court Palace, has appealed to the South Asian community and those with South Asian heritage to bring up objects relating to the South Asian role in historical events associated with the famous palace.
These objects from the South Asian community will be borrowed and put on display along with a wide collection from HRP that includes an official plan from one of the camps, press cuttings depicting the soldiers' arrival at Hampton Court station, and Indian soldiers in and around the palace grounds.
The exhibition has been organized in collaboration with Dr Tejpal Singh Ralmill, a military expert at A Little History of the Sikhs, a community that develops tours and lectures on Sikh, Anglo-Sikh, and Punjabi history.