MYSURU: The liberation of Haifa in modern-day Israel by the British Army in 1918, in which Indian soldiers and more particularly, members of the Mysore Lancers, played a decisive role, remains one of the proudest moments in the history of the country's military history.A century having elapsed since one of the most decisive battles of the World War I , centenary celebrations of the victorious battle have been organised in the city, and the scion of the erstwhile Mysuru royal family Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar will participate in the event that will celebrate the valour and sacrifice of the Indian soldiers on September 23 (Sunday).The Haifa Centenary Celebration Committee has organised the memorial event at Rajendra Kalamandira in the city. The event will be presided over by higher education, and Mysuru district in-charge minister GT Devegowda. Chamarajanagar MP R Dhruvaranarayan and Mysuru MP Pratap Simha will participate in the centenary celebrations.Family members of the five soldiers of the Mysore Lancers' division, who fought at Haifa a century ago, will be feted on the occasion."The Battle of Haifa is a landmark in the history of the Mysore kingdom," said Yaduveer on Tuesday.The scion of the royal family specifically highlighted the role of the Mysore Lancers in saving the life of Abdul Baha, the incarcerated son of Baha'i religion's spiritual leader. "The mounted cavalry of the British Army, comprising soldiers from the Jodhpur, Hyderabad and Mysore Lancers fought valiantly in the war, and liberated Haifa. It was the first time that Mysore Lancers participated in a World War," said Yaduveer.The Mysore Lancers were, in some ways, the equivalent of the Praetorian Guard of the Roman Emperors in days of yore."Mysore Lancers were bodyguards to the maharajas. There were around 4,000 soldiers who comprised the Mysore Lancers, and around 3,000 participated in the Battle of Haifa. Bahadur Chamaraja Urs, the grandfather of Jayachamaraja Wadiyar's queen Jayalaksmmanni, and her sister's brother-in-law Col Desaraja Urs were among those who participated in the liberation of Haifa," said Yaduveer.The centenary celebrations of the key battle would help raise awareness about the role that Mysore Lancers played in the First World War, he said. "We will urge the government to construct a memorial commemorating the valour of the Mysore Lancers in Mysore," mYaduveer added.Meanwhile, secretary of the Centenary Celebrations Commmittee Harish Shenoy said, "It was a fierce battle fought between the Ottoman Turks, and the regiment of the British Army. It was a triumphant episode in the history of the Mysore Lancers, who were equipped with swords and lances, while their opponents had artillery and machine guns," said Shenoy.He added that members of the committee would help spread awareness about the battle, and the role of Mysore Lancers in it. "We will hold a quiz, and debate to raise awareness about the battle. We will submit a request to construct a Haifa War memorial in the city, and a museum along with it," Shenoy said.

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