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Indian soldier smoking the hubble bubble pipe
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Indian soldier smoking the hubble bubble pipe
A party of Indian sepoys take it in turns to smoke the hubble bubble pipe at a wayside halt. Date: 1916
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Media ID 14160830
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Bubble Hubble Pipe Rest Resting Sepoys Wayside
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a moment of respite and camaraderie among a party of Indian sepoys during the arduous campaign of the First World War in 1916. The soldiers, dressed in their uniforms and armed with rifles, gather around a wayside halt, taking turns to smoke from the traditional Indian hubble bubble pipe. The pipe, also known as a hookah or water pipe, is placed on a makeshift table, its long hose curling up in the air as the soldiers lean in to take a draw. The smoke drifts upwards, mingling with the clouds and the blue sky above, creating a surreal contrast to the harsh realities of the battlefield. The Indian Army played a vital role in the Allied forces during the First World War, with over one million Indian soldiers serving, making up almost 25% of the British Army's total strength. The soldiers were deployed in various theatres, including France, Mesopotamia, and East Africa. Despite their crucial contributions, the Indian soldiers faced numerous challenges, including long marches, harsh weather conditions, and discrimination from their British counterparts. This photograph offers a glimpse into the soldiers' leisure time, a brief moment of relaxation and enjoyment amidst the hardships of war. The hubble bubble pipe, a symbol of Indian culture and tradition, serves as a reminder of the diverse and multifaceted nature of the forces that fought in the First World War. The image also underscores the importance of camaraderie and shared experiences in the face of adversity, a bond that transcended national and cultural boundaries.
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