Thakur Dalpat Singh MC (November 1892 – 23 September 1918) was a British Indian Army officer, known as the "Hero of Haifa" for his actions in the Battle of Haifa during World War I.[1]
Dalpat Singh Shekhawat | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Dalpat Singh Shekhawat | |
| Birth name | Dalpat Singh |
| Nickname(s) | "Hero of Haifa" |
| Born | 26 January 1892 Jodhpur, Jodhpur State, British Raj (modern-day Rajasthan, India |
| Died | 23 September 1918 (aged 26) Haifa, OETA (modern-day Israel) |
| Allegiance |  British Empire |
| Service |  British Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1910–1918 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 15th (Imperial Service) Cavalry Brigade |
| Commands | Jodhpur Lancers |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Haifa (1918) First World War |
| Awards | Military Cross (posthumously) |
Early life
editSingh was born to a noble family[2] of the Shekhawat clan of Rawna Rajput in the princely state of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, then under the British Raj.[3] He was the son of Col.Thakur Hari Singh of Deoli.[2]
Military career
editBy 1918, Singh was commander of the 15th (Imperial Service) Cavalry Brigade, which consisted of regiments of Indian troops from Jodhpur ("Jodhpur Lancers"), Hyderabad, Mysore, Patiala and Alwar. The 15th Brigade served alongside the British Army during the last months of the Sinai and Palestine Campaign of the First World War.[3]
On 23 September 1918, a combined British-Indian force, including the Jodhpur Lancers, successfully captured the crucial Port of Haifa from the Ottoman Army. During the battle, Singh was killed.[3]
After the battle, Singh was awarded the Military Cross. His citation read as follows:[2]
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer, accompanied only by his trumpeter, charged an entrenched machine gun killing and scattering the crew and capturing the gun. At the same time he captured the commandant of a regiment and another officer.
Commemoration
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During a visit to Haifa, Israel, in 2017, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Indian Cemetery and unveiled a plaque to Singh, with Singh's "Hero of Haifa" moniker.[3]
The Mayor of Haifa Yona Yahav, during the centenary year of the battle, paid tribute to Singh, asserting:[4]
Dalpat Singh not only changed the history of my city but the history of the Middle East.
References
edit- ^ "Haifa Day: 104 years ago, gallant Indian cavalrymen liberated this city in Israel from Ottoman rule". The Free Press Journal. 22 September 2022.
- ^ a b c Bowden, Bill. "Major Thakur Dalpat Singh" (PDF). Old Eastbournian. Eastbourne College. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ a b c d Jangid, Khinvra (28 September 2018). "From Jodhpur to Haifa: Representations of 'Hero of Haifa,' Dalpat Singh". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ "Israel celebrations honour Indian soldiers who liberated Haifa city during World War I". The Economic Times. 6 September 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2023.