READING Museum opened a new exhibition entitled the Legacy of Valour on Saturday which highlights the huge volunteer army that India provided during the Great War.

Over 1.5 million Indian service personnel served from 1914-18 and this amounts to one in six of the male population at the time on the sub-continent.

This largely forgotten contribution comprised of Sikh and other Indian troops who fought in all the major theatres of WW1 and although India was a colony at the time it supported the war effort with a mind to the future bid to secure Dominion status.

The Heritage Lottery Fund who have funded the 'Legacy of Valour' exhibition aim to encourage the Reading and Wokingham Community to engage with its own proud history whilst learning and understanding the immense contribution made by Sikhs and other Indian soldiers.

Punjabi soldiers provided 60 per cent of British Army strength and Sikhs,who were two per cent of the population, provided 30 per cent of the British Indian Army.

Many rare colour photos feature Sikh and Indian soldiers fighting over a huge part of the globe from the fields of Flanders Belgium to the oilfields of Mesopotamia in the middle east.

Although the display highlights the war effort it also takes time to reflect on the aftermath of the war and how Indian social,political,military and economic evolution changed so dramatically after the conflict ceased.

Many distinguished guests attended the opening including the Indian High Commissioner to the UK Ranjan Mathai and Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire James Puxley.

Project leader Inderpal Dhanjal talking to Retro at the launch said: “Over 1.5 million Indian soldiers were provided and served from 1914-18 taking part in the fighting on all the major theatres of war -this exhibition commemorates their remarkable but forgotten contribution”.

The free to enter exhibition can be seen in the museum's Victoria Rooms until August 31.

For more information and opening times visit www.readingmuseum.org.uk/events/