"The Suez Canal and Mysore Urs' Connection !"

"The Suez Canal and Mysore Urs' Connection !"

The trading nations of Europe like England, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Holland and others also interested in Missionary activities in South Asia, had to navigate the Atlantic Ocean along the West coast of Africa, turn eastwards around Cape of Good Hope and travel along the East African coast to reach India. The distance, the travel time, and the economies incurred for such voyages were large and geographers and sailors were watching the narrow land mass east of Cairo, for making a short-cut, through a waterway.

Ancient Egyptian ideas for this waterway:

Several smaller manmade waterways existed in this region during the period of Pharaohs. There were attempts to connect the Red Sea with the Nile River for navigation purposes. This was believed to have been completed in the 3rd century BC, during period of Ptolemies. This winding canal of the Pharaohs, connecting the Red Sea to the Nile river, would have linked the traditional waterway to the Mediterranean Sea.

Napolean Bonaparte also had his thoughts on this canal. The wrong calculations and reports from his surveyors, that there will be a significant level difference between the two seas, and if connected , will cause floods and inundate the Nile low lands., discouraged him.

Location of Suez Canal (Arabic Name: Qanat al-Suwais) “The highway to India”:

Suez Canal is a man-made seaway between the eastern part of Egypt and the Sinai peninsula. This connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, via the gulf of suez. This has created a maritime short path from Europe to South Asia with lot of savings in distance travelled and the time taken. This is a very important waterway at sea level itself, unlike Panama Canal, with system of locks to adjust for the level difference between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans.

The waterway starts at Port Said on the Mediterranean Coast, with El Qantara, Ismailia towns on the way, and water bodies like Great and Little Bitter Lakes, and ends at Port Tewfik of Suez City, on the Red Sea Coast.

Distance reduction:

If, the merchant navies of European countries like England, Nederland, Belgium, Portugal and others, start their voyage to India, in the Atlantic ocean, pass through the narrow straits of Gibraltar and reach the Mediterranean sea, onwards to Alexandria of Egypt, and then enter via Port Said to traverse the Suez Canal., the distance to ports in East Africa and India, is the greatest savings (about 7000 km )for the European Merchants.

Ideas for the construction:

Though the maximum usage was to be made by England, it did not take the lead for the exploration and surveys. It was in 1854, the French leader Ferdinand de Lesseps, persuaded the Egyptian Viceroy Mohammed Said Pasha, to permit excavating a canal for the linking of the two seas. An International Commission, consisting of 13 eminent experts / Civil Engineers, from seven countries approved the final report in December 1856. Then, Ferdinand de Lesseps started the "Universal Company of the Suez Maritime Canal", with shares to interested countries, in December 1858. England did not show any interest to buy shares.

Work started on 25 April 1859 and the Suez canal was opened to traffic after 10 years in November 1869. Forced Egyptian peasant and slave labour were used for excavating the canal and this was opposed by the British vehemently, for which Ferdinand de Lesseps, pointed out that British had constructed the Egyptian Railway, using the same forced labor.

Ismail Pasha succeeded Said Pasha, and to clear the debts that accrued for modernizing Egypt, sold Egyptian Shares of the company to British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli who saw the importance of the waterway d bought for four million pounds sterling. Thus, from 1870, Britain exercised its maritime powers over this waterway. In the first year of the canal's existence, some 75% of the vessels using it, were British. The approximate length of the canal was about 164 km, and 8m deep, when built. The waterway has towns named Port Said and Ismailia, honoring the two Egyptians leaders.

Statue of Liberty:

The present "Statue of Liberty" in USA, was originally designed by Bartholdi, to install it at the Mediterranean entrance of Suez Canal, as a Lighthouse cum sculpture of “Egypt Bringing Light to Asia”. This did not come off, and finally found its way to the present New York Harbor location.

World War-I

By the early twentieth century, England understood the great importance, necessity and usefulness of Suez Canal to keep contacts with its Empire in South, South-East, and Far East Asian regions and to have the Oil supplies from Persian Gulf countries. Thus, it had very close ties with Egypt.

(A) "Imperial Service Troops"

Lancers are the warriors on horse-back, and both have to be in excellent health and fitness for the war those days. The weapon they used was a lance, a long spear like javelin with an occasional sword for ceremonial parades. . Since April 1892, the Mysore State Troops of the Maharaja consisted of 1) Mysore Lancers: Bangalore; 2) Mysore Horse (Training Squadron) : Mysore;; 3) 1st Battalion, Mysore Infantry: Bangalore;; 4) 2nd Battalion (Training Company), Mysore Infantry: Bangalore ;; 5) 3rd Battalion, Mysore Infantry: Mysore with detachments at Shimoga ;; and 6) Mysore Band: Bangalore 7). Mysore Transport Corps

At the onset of War (World War-I), England declared Egypt as its protectorate , and to safeguard Suez Canal, put up its own forces, and took the help of the State Troops maintained by the various Indian Princes. In 1888 itself, the "Imperial Service Troops" was formed by taking units from the Troops of the Princely States of India and trained by the British Officers. It consisted of men from Princely States of Idar, Kathiawar, Hyderabad, Mysore, Kashmir, Bhavnagar, Patiala, Jodhpur and Bikaner.

It was named "15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade" and was moved for action in the Middle East area. The fighting component of the brigade was formed from three cavalry regiments, each of four squadrons:

(i) 1st Hyderabad Lancers commanded by Major Mahomed Azmatullah Bahadur with twenty-seven officers (one British) and 533 other ranks,

(ii) Mysore Lancers (including two troops of Bhavnagar Lancers and one troop of Kashmir Lancers) commanded by Regimentdar B. Chamraj Urs Bahadur with thirty-two officers (one British) and 487 other ranks.

(Photo 1 shows a mounted Mysore Lancer; Photo 2 shows the Mysore Lancer on the terra firma. Photo 4. Shows a young Instructor M.K.Veera raj Urs.).

(iii) Patiala Lancers commanded by Colonel Nand Singh Sardar Bahadur with twenty-six officers and 528 other ranks.

This formation remained the same until May 1916, when the Patiala Lancers were transferred to serve in the campaign in Mesopotamia. The brigade regained its own third regiment in May 1918 when the Jodhpur Lancers, commanded by Colonel Thakur Pratap Singh Sardar Bahadur, which had been serving on the Western Front in France, arrived in the theatre. The final unit assigned to the brigade was the Imperial Service Machine-Gun Squadron formed on 10 June 1918 by amalgamating the three cavalry regiment's machine-gun sections into one unit. Some sources refer to the squadron as the 15th Imperial Service Brigade Machine-Gun Squadron.

Even though the brigade was an Imperial Service unit, the cavalry regiments and brigade headquarters included attached British Indian Army Special Service Officers (SSO), but only as advisors. In 1914, the three cavalry regiments had two SSOs attached, and Colonel J. Desaraj Urs Commander-in-Chief of the Mysore State Forces accompanied the Mysore Lancers as an observer. The Jodhpur Lancers joined the brigade with seven SSOs attached. Throughout the war the establishment of British officers assigned to the cavalry regiments was gradually increased; in February 1915 there were four in each regiment, in 1917 another two were assigned and in mid-1918 a full complement of twelve British officers in each of the regiments was reached.

The Mysore regiment consisting of 29 officers, 444 non-commissioned officers and men with 526 horses, 49 mules and 132 followers left Bangalore on the 13th October 1914 In November 1914, a convoy 36 ships carried these troops from India, escorted by HMS "Swiftsure" and "Hardinge", on their way to Suez, and reached on 16th November.

(B) Turkish Ottoman Forces: Turkey, which had entered the war as Germany’s ally in 1914, sent troops to seize the canal in February 1915. This attack was beaten back and by 1916 British defensive lines had been driven deep into the Sinai desert to prevent any further attempt. (The defeat of Turkey in 1918 resulted in much of the Ottoman (Turkish) empire being divided between Britain and France, leaving Britain in control of the oilfields of what is now Iraq.)

Most of the guarding of Suez canal, was done on the East Bank, in the Sinai peninsula. The area was a stronghold of the Turkish Forces under German planning. The battlefield spread all over Sinai peninsula, Jordan valley, the Gaza and western parts of modern Israel.

. Mysore Lancers Regiment lost 50 of the 78 horses, during an outbreak of "glanders" ( a respiratory disease of the horses, mules and donkeys) in March 1915. In October 1915, in the eastern parts of Kantarah area, Mysore Lancers saw 60 camel mounted Turkish troops, with a back up of 200 more, advancing. They were engaged, chased 7 miles, eastwards. The notorious Bedouin leader Rizkalla Salim, famed for most raids on the canal, was engaged in a hand to hand fight, and was killed by Jemadar A. Lingaraj Urs., and after Salim's death the attempts on the canal entirely ceased.

( C ) Battle at HAIFA:

Not many outside the Army are aware of the Mysore connection to Haifa. On Sept 23, 1918, Mysore Lancers, the personal army of the Mysore Maharaja, played a crucial role in winning one of the greatest battles of World War-I for the Allied Powers. Along with the Jodhpur Cavalry and 16th Imperial Cavalry Brigade, soldiers from Mysore Lancers charged on Turkish positions in and around the city of Haifa. The Indian soldiers were armed only with lances and swords while the Turks were armed with artillery and machine guns.

It may be recalled that the role of Jodhpur Lancers and Mysore Lancers was two fold (a) to take the city of Haifa and (b) to ensure the safety of Abdul-Baha, the son of the Founder of the Baha’i Faith (Baha’u’llah) who was a resident of Haifa at that time and whose life had been threatened by the Turkish Commander-in-Chief. That was the plan of the British General Allenby. After the operation was succesful, the General sent a cable to War Office informing the safe custody of Abdul Baha.

The second important phase of the middle east war, was when the troops chased the Ottoman forces after their defeat at Haifa, towards Damascus. On the way from Damascus, the two important cities where thick action took place was at Aleppo and Haritan. While Multafa Kemal Pasha was leading/guiding the Ottoman Forces, the planning was done by the German Limon von Sanders. The battle at Aleppo lasted all through the night of 25th October 1918, and caused a heavy casualty in the Mysore Lancers and many succumbed on 26th October 1918. thus, Haifa and Aleppo are very much remembered in this area of War. Aleppo city (aka Halab), the very old historic city know from 2nd millennium BC., was captured by Feisal bin Hussein and his Sherifial Forces. The War came to an end after the signing of armistice on 11 November 1918

Every year on September 23, the Indian Army celebrates 'Haifa Day' in remembrance of the Battle of Haifa — one the bravest battles of WW-I This battle is one of the last cavalry charges that resulted in a victory in a modern war. By the end of WW-I, horses had become redundant in wars.

(D) Honours for Urs warriors in action:

(1) Risaldar.Sqdrn Comdr. A LINGARAJ URS, Son of Basavaraje Urs, of Mysore., Mysore Lancers, Died on 26 October 1918 at ALEPPO, Age Unknown; Service No. Unknown; buried in Basra War Memorial--Panel 68; Iraq. ( Arakere Jayaram Said on 26 March 2013 at 11:17 pm , in his blog in Churmuri: Captain A. Lingaraj Urs who died in the First World War was the son-in-law of Lt.Col.Chamaraj Urs who was the field commander of the Mysore Lancers in that war. However the Commandant was Col.Desraj Urs, brother-in-law of Maharaja Krishnarajendra Wodeyar IV...... etc,,,,,,,, )

(2) Risaldar M.B.SUBBARAJA URS , Mysore Imperial Service Lancers. The award "Indian Distinguished Service Medal" was bestowed and gazetted and is assumed to be for his gallantry associated with the defence of the Suez Canal. (Perhaps for reconnaissance duties.)

A patrol commanded by Subbaraja Urs, was near the enemy ferry-post Ismailia on 02 February 1915, the enemy suddenly opened fire and the Lancers had to retire. The horse ridden by Sowar Ram Singh of the Bhavnagar Lancers was hit in the leg. The horse fell and consequently the rider also over the horse's head. Subbaraja Urs who was ahead, immediately returned to Singh who had fallen, took him on his own horse and moved behind a hill and rescued him.

FROM PAGE 824 OF THE EDINBURGH GAZETTE DATED JUNE 08, 1915: His majesty the KING EMPEROR,has been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Indian Distinguished Service Medal to the undermentioned Officers, Non commissioned Officers, and Men of the Indian Army, in recognition of their gallantry and devotion to duty whilst serving with the Force in Egypt:-

.(a)..... ;; (b) ......;;

Mysore Imperial Service Lancers. (c) Risaldar Subbaraja Urs.

(d)...............

(3) Risaldar B. P. KRISHNE URS was yet another young hero entitled to all honors. He was a contemporary of Yuvaraj Sri Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wodeyar. He left for active service with his regiment in 1914. He greatly distinguished himself in meeting the attack of the Turks on the Suez Canal in 1915, when with about forty men he captured eighty camels and took forty Turks as prisoners along with much booty. In the beginning of 1916 he joined the staff of General Archibald Murray and served on it for nine months, during which time he had the opportunity of meeting and accompanying H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, on his visits to various camps. In 1917 he followed the regiment in its march from Suez to Gaza, where he was sent to gain experience in trench warfare. In an action on the 26th October 1918 in the Suez Canal Zone, Krishne Urs showed great gallantry while leading his squadron in a charge against a strongly held army position under very heavy fire. He was severely wounded in the hand and chest but continued to lead his squadron until exhaustion compelled him to fall out. His splendid example inspired all ranks. He was awarded the “Military Cross” by the British Government, the title of “ Captain “ by the Maharaja and the “ White Eagle of Serbia ‘‘ by the King of Serbia. (Photo: 3 Captain. B.P.Krishne Urs)

(4) Sardar Bahadur B. CHAMARAJ URS moved to Egypt in October 1914 in command of the Mysore Imperial Service Lancers. He began in March 1890 as Jamadar, and had rapid promotions. In May 1905 was permanently appointed Commandant of the Imperial Service troops. He was presented valuable Khillats by His Highness the Maharaja in open durbar in recognition of his services in connection with the visit of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales and Princess of Wales in 1906. Relating to his services in Egypt, Major-General W. A. Vatson, Commanding Line of Communication Defences, writing to Chamaraja Urs on 27th March 1916 said : -" From the moment when the brigade was concentrated at Deolali seventeen months ago, it was evident to me that your regiment was imbued with a splendid military spirit and it was clear that your own character and influence was the cause. You have never hesitated to enforce discipline or feared to inflict punishment and the result has been that your men have reached a high standard of efficiency. They have behaved admirably, sometimes under trying circumstances, both in the camp and in the field. Their success in the action at Bel-el-Jafir on the 23rd November 1915 must have been a great satisfaction to you. I congratulate you on being commander of a regiment of which you may justly feel proud. Chamaraj Urs was present in the action around Gaza in Palestine in November 1917 and showed remarkable bravery and steadiness in leading the men under his command during the attack which ultimately ended in victory.

On the 7th February 1918 Brigadier- General C. R. Harbard, Commanding Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade, in writing to the Inspector- General, Imperial Service troops in India, said : " Regimentdar B. Chamaraj Urs (Sardar Bahadur) having been ordered to return to India, I feel that I cannot let him vacate the command of Mysore Lancers in the field without placing on record my appreciation of the services this officer has rendered, which I trust may be brought to the notice of His Highness the Maharaja of Mysore. A strict disciplinarian and possessing a strong innate sense of justice, Chamaraj Urs has always maintained the right spirit in his men and by his personal example has taught them to undertake any duty, however monotonous and irksome it may have been, with cheerfulness and alacrity. The British officers who have been connected with the regiment since it came on service have all remarked upon the nice tone that prevailed in this regiment and what a pleasure it was to work with them. I attribute this tone in a large measure to the influence of Chamaraj Urs. Instead of resenting the presence of Special Service officers, he has always shown himself grateful for their assistance, and the good name that the Mysore Lancers have won for themselves during their stay in Egypt is largely due to the good relations that have always existed between this officer and through him with the other officers of the regiment."

On his return to India, he was appointed Chief Commandant in 1919. For his distinguished military services he was appointed to the Order of British India in June 1916. His Highness the Maharaja honoured him with the first class Medal of the Gandabherunda Order and the position of Lt.-Col. in the Mysore army. He also received the foreign decoration of the “White Eagle of Serbia” from His Majesty the King of Serbia.

(5) Col. J. DESARAJA URS, went to Egypt as the representative of the Durbar and whose ardent military spirit is remembered even now with pride by the people of Mysore. As a testimony to his innate military instincts, it may be stated that he preferred service in the military department, though he could have easily entered any of the civil departments on higher emoluments. He was appointed Attache in the Mysore Military Department in August 1884. After a short period of service, he resigned from the State Service in June 1885 joined the British Military Department as Jamadar, 3rd Madras Light Cavalry. He soon obtained an opportunity for active service. From September 1886 to October 1887 he was in the field in Burma during the Burmese War which resulted in the capture of King Thebaw and the annexation of his country. On the 14th December 1887 his services were lent to the Mysore State by the Madras Government, when he was appointed assistant to the Military Secretary and Aide-de-Camp to His Highness the Maharaja. In December 1890 he resigned the Madras Service and was appointed Commandant, Imperial Service Regiment, in March 1894 and in August 1897 he rose to the responsible position of Chief Commandant, Mysore State Troops, which he held continuously for a record period of 22 years.

From October 1914 to January 1916 he served in Egypt during the Great War and his name was mentiond in the despatches of General Maxwell, Commander-in-Chief of the forces in Egypt. In August 1917 in appreciation of the services rendered by him during the war, His Majesty the King- Emperor awarded him the honorary rank of Lt.-Col. in the British army and in June 1918 His Highness the Maharaja decorated him with a first class medal of the Gandabherunda Order.

(E) Decription of Bravery awards:

East India Company instituted the following awards for Indian State Troops of the British Army:

OBI -- "Order of the British India"; Long and meritorious service by an Indian Native Officer was rewarded with First Class award- "Sardar Bahadur" -(heroic leader); Second class award --" Bahadur"; for Indian other ranks.

"Long service and good conduct medal", granted for 20 years of service, was rarely given.

IMSM "Indian Meritorious Service Medal" was for Non Commissioned Officers with over 18 years of service.

IOM "Indian Order of Merit"

IDSM "Indian Distinguished Service Medal"

MC "Military Cross"

Some members of the Urs clan of Mysore, were honoured by giving title "Bahadur" by the Maharaja of Mysore, and this title was/is used along with their names and the names of their descendents, by replacing “Urs”, as a suffix. This is not to be confused with the title of valour and bravery in wars, of the same name, which are used as prefix. The other honour was the title “Sardar” used only in prefix by noble men serving Maharaja, and was used only by the person, and never used by his descendents.

Remembrance Day for Mysore State forces:

It is since a century ago, that action took place in Egypt where Warriors from Mysore Infantry took part, and it is time now to REMEMBER those warriors by their relatives, the living children, grand children and great grand children and well wishers, in Old Mysore state, and elsewhere. Information used here is collected after a series of intense searches in the internet, war records of Mysore State and British Army, War Decorations, etc.,. Still, some records are not available. The descendents of the War Heroes, may kindly help me.

Two of the other Officers of Mysore Infantry, are no more with us. The Officer from Mysore Infantry, Major. A.N. PUTTANANJARAJ URS, was attached to Indian Army, where he served in various ranks and responsibilities in J&K, and other areas. His work on the development of the Ratnapuri Military Colony, Hunsur, was hailed. He retired as a Major, from Mysore Medical Unit of NCC in October 1966. He earned WAR MEDAL, J&K OPERATIONS MEDAL and INDEPENDENCE DAY MEDAL. Of course, he was not in the WW-I. Photo: 9.

The second Officer, who also started his career in Mysore Infantry, was Col. D.C. NANJARAJ BAHADUR. and was serving in various ranks and commanded Mysore Lancers, Mysore Infantry and Palace Infantry. He retired as Colonel, Station Commander in 1951. He earned SILVER JUBILEE MEDAL(1935), CORONATION MEDAL (1937), 1939-1945 STAR MEDAL and BRITISH WAR MEDAL (1945). (Photo: 8)

Two of the Warriors of Mysore Lancers were attached to Indian Army, after Mysore Lancers was disbanded in March 1951, to form 61^st Cavalry, based at Jaipur.

(1) Dfr M.K. Veera Raj Urs . Photo 4 shows him as an Instructor. The 94 year old Dfr. M.K.Veera Raj Urs of Mysore Lancers who retired from 61^st Cavalry, Indian Army, and living in Mysore and recollecting the many splendored memories. Photo: 5 shows the Service Medals of the living 94 year old Dfr M.K.Veera Raj Urs.,and Photo: 6 shows him as he looks now, with a very good memory, and narrating the many events of his service life

(2) Late Sep. Venkata Raj Urs, another 90 plus years, lived at Gundapura, Halagur, Malavalli area. He was attached to 18^th Battaion of Madras Regiment. Photo: 7 shows his look, being an agriculturist, he has his fitness. Equally good in his recollections of Army Life.

We pray for the long life and peace to the departed soul of Venkata Raj Urs.

This write-up is to target the younger generations who, after some time, will not know about the illustrious past of their fore fathers of Urs community.

In this article, though hundreds of Mysore warriors sacrificed their lives in the wars, the focus is on the few of the "Urs" clan, are given, as very few of them ever went out of Mysore/Indian borders. It is recorded here, with deep respect , praise for their patriotism for Mysore, the Maharaja of Mysore and the British who appreciated their daredevilry with decorations.

There are other warriors of Hindu, Maratha and Mohammedan communities who have fought in Middle East and obtained honours and laurels, which cannot be forgotten.

May their clan increase in number and follow their ancestors.

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Some Statistics:

Mysore Lancers:

Killed in action: 26 including Risaldar Sqdrn Comdr- A.Lingaraj Urs, I.O.M at Aleppo. Wounded: 49 including Risaldar 2nd/Command- B.P.Krishne Urs, M.C.,I.D.S.M., at Aleppo. Decorations: 78 including the following: Chamaraj Urs : B.P.Krishne Urs ; M.B.Subbaraje Urs ; A.Lingaraj Urs ; A.Basavaraj Urs (more details not known)

Hyderabad Lancers: Killed in action: 23;; Wounded: 43 ;; Decorations: 43 Jodhpur lancers: Killed in action: 27 ;; Wounded: 31;; Decorations: 40 Bhavanagar Lancers attached to Mysore Lancers: Decorations: 11 Kashmir Lancers attached to Mysore Lancers: Decorations: 5

MYSORE LANCERS:

List of Officers and Other Ranks who have received decorations or have been mentioned in despatches.

Rank. Name. Honours and Rewards.

Rt. Cmdt. B. Chamaraj Urs. Mo Sirdar Bahadur 1st Class O.B.I. ; White Eagle (IV Class) (Serbia) ;

Mentioned in Despatches twice

Risaldar B. P. Krishne Urs, M.C,I.D.S.M. M.C. ; I.D.S.M.; White Eagle V class (Serbia) wounded at Alleppo

2 I/C. Ris. Sqdn.Cmdr M. B. Subbaraj. Urs.,I.D.S.M. I.D.S.M ; Mentioned in Despatches

Ris. Sqdn.Cmdr A. Lingaraj Urs., I.O.M. .. I.O.M. (2nd Class) Killed in action at Alleppo

Ris. Sqdn.Cmdr A. Basaravaj Urs. Mentioned in Despatches three times

War Memorial near Doordarshan Studios, Bangalore:

The Mysore Lancers, the Mysore Transport Corps, and the Mysore Imperial Service Troops Memorial, Bangalore, India

"Sacred to the Memory of those Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers and Men of the Mysore Imperial Service Troops who gave their lives during the 'Great War' 1914 - 1918"

Mysore Lancers: 1915-1917 Suez canal, Egypt. 1917-1918 Gaza, Meggiddo, Sharon, Damascus, Palestine.

Mysore Transport Corps: 1916-1917 Tigris, Kut Al Amara.;; 1916-1918 Baghdad, Mesopotamia

Roll of Honour:

Officers: T. G. Kelly, Lionel Gerald Mein, Wynne Dudley Raymond, Maurice Neville Meredith, A. Lingaraj Urs, Meer Ashroff Alli.

Other Ranks: Venkatta Rao Maney, Annaji Dhummal, Raghunatha Rao Birjey, Mohammed Abdul Sattar, Nar Singh, Mohammed Peer Khan, Rahimon Khan, Ganapath Rao Sindhey, Rama Rao Gaikwad, Mahadeva Rao Bobdey, Sheik Ibrahim, Sham Singh, Roya Sundaram, Chithambara Rao Ithapay, Meer Abdul Latheef .

( A cross-check physically on the correctness of the spellings and changes are required)

• Mysore State Troops serving in Bangalore in 1905: … Chief Commandant was Lieut.Col J. Dasaraj Urs, P.A to him was R. Puttanna.

o Mysore Imperial Service Lancers, stationed at Bangalore near Munireddipalya.

o Commandant. Regimentdar Sayad Hafiz, Bahadur, OBE 2nd Class,

Squadron Commanders: Resaldars B. Chamraj Urs, Subba Row, Chandra Row Rananavarai, Ghulam Dastagir. Troop Commanders: Resaldars Mir Myannuddin, Murad Beg, Mir Muhiyuddin, Abdul Tahir Bintoral. Jemadars: T. Nanjaraj Urs* , Govinda Rao Scindia, Saiyid Fatahulla, Annaji Kadam, Adjutant : Khandai Rao Ghatakai, Srinivasa Rao Salkai, Riding Master : Sarmast Khan, Quarter-Master: Saiyid Ahmed, Lakshamana Rao, Pole Hyathulla Khan, Abdul Gaggar, Rajoji Kadam, Subbaraj Urs, Muhammad Nazir Ahmed, Chocka Natha Raja. Medical Officer Asst-Surgeon: S.J. Wesley; Veterinary Officers J.E. Royle, N. Narasimmaiyengar

Mysore Imperial Service Transport Corps: Officer in Charge Lieut Col R.G. Jones., R.W. Simpson.

Offg. Div. Commander: A. Div., Resaldar Sheik Sudaroondden,;; Div. Com. B., Mir Abbas Ali Div. Com. C., Jamadar Mahomed Fazel,;;Div. Com. D., Resaldar Syed Abdul Guffar ;; Com. E. Div., Jemadars A Div. Arokiam, Com. B. Div. Furzalla Khan, C. Div. Mahomed Ishaq, Com. D. Div. Narainsawmy Naidu, E. Div. Mahomed Azeem Khan. Adjutant Ibraham Sharief; Quarter Master A.T. Theyagaraj

* Risaldar.T.Nanjaraj Urs died on 21st February 1917, in an accident, and his memorial is at Heliopolis (Port Tewfik) near Cairo.

There are other War Memorials at Teen Murti, New Delhi and Haifa, Israel, showing honour rolls of Mysore lancers. If Name Tablets, pictures of these locations are accessed by any reader, kindly share it for this writeup.

References:

1). Assigned Formations British Egyptian Expeditionary Force; July 1917 to October 1918 917bgpa.pdf 2). The British-Indian Army, 1860-1914 By Peter Duckers 3). Osmania University Library: History of the 15th Imperial Service cavalry Brigade. HMSO Document; Accession No. 3593, Call No. 351/H67 4). Blogs in Churmiri. 5). modernmysore035292mbp/modernmysore035292mbp_djvu.txt 6). www.forces-war-records.co.uk 7) Mysore Royal Ark- Christopher Buyers 8) Mummadi SriKrishnaraaja Maheepaala Vamsharatnaakara-in Kannada: Sri. A.N.Niranjanaraj Urs