Bene Israel Soldiers in the Indian Army

Dr. Kaustav Chakrabarti, Asst. Professor in History, Fakir

Chand College, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India

(chakrabarti.kaustav@gmail.com)

Contrary to the popular imagination of the peaceable Jew content with carrying

on with his business as usual, the Bene Israel community of Jews in India proved

to be the very best in their military ardour, serving with equal aplomb in the

native and the colonial armies. This paper tries to highlight the military traditions

of the Bene Israel community.

At the beginning of the eighteenth century, the Bene Israel were almost wholly

concentrated in a small coastal strip of about 1,000 sq. miles slightly to the south

of Bombay (presently Mumbai).1 This area was in part under the rule of the

hereditary Maratha admirals called Angrias, in part another Maratha feudatory

chieftain, the Pant Sachiv of Bhor, and partly under the Muslim Nawab of

Janjira.2

The earliest reference to the martial traditions of the Bene Israel could be found

in the defence services of the Abyssinian ruler of Janjira and of Kanhoji Angre,

the pirate admiral of the Marathas. Some of the Bene Israel soldiers rose to

prominence in the armies of the Peshwa. They occupied forts and fortresses in

1
Benjamin J. Israel, The Bene Israel of India Some Studies, Orient Longman, Bombay,
1984, p.17
2
Ibid
the Deccan commanding strategic positions. Some were in charge of the

impregnable fort of Raigad, stronghold of the Maratha hero Shivaji.3

3
It is a conjecture that Bene Israel soldiers might have served in Shivajis army. Kanhoji
Angres fleet consisted of some notable Bene Israel Commanders (vide Appendix)
But though the services of the Bene Israel were duly recognized by the Angres and the

Peshwas, and though there are Bene Israel families who retain to this day their

surnames derived from these military associations e.g.?, it was not till they began

enlisting in the British Indian Army that the Bene Israel found a comparatively free

scope to rise to their height.4 The British East India Company then held only the Island

of Bombay and there is reason to believe that the Bene Israel had already begun

enlisting in the Companys forces, first in their marine and then also in their infantry.5 In

1746, the Divekar family was the first Bene Israel family to move to Bombay.6This is

incorrect. Actually, the Awaskar family were the first and the Divekars may have come

in 1746 but that was after the Awaskars and others. Their five sons enlisted in the army
7
of the East India Company.This is mentioned later as 1760 in fn 17. Encouraged by

their success more families moved to Bombay of whom many enlisted with the East

India Company.8 As early as 1755, the Company acquired on the mainland a depot

called Fort Victoria which also operated as a recruiting ground for the Bombay Army.9

This army was soon to be organized into a regular force large enough to be able not

only to defend Bombay, but also to take the offensive on the mainland.10 Indeed by the

middle of the century the Bombay Army was almost continuously engaged against the

4
I.A. Ezekiel, Martial Traditions Of the Bene Israel Community, India And Israel, No.8,
February 1949, p.18
5
Benjamin J. Israel, The Bene Israel of India Some Studies, op.cit, p.17
6
Rachel Rukmini Israel, The Jews of India Their Story, Mosaic Books, New Delhi, New Delhi,
p.15
7
Ibid
8
Ibid
9
Benjamin J. Israel, The Bene Israel of India Some Studies, op.cit, p.17
10
Ibid
Marathas, Mysore and various princelings in the coastal Karnataka.11 The Bene Israel

began enlisting in substantial numbers, often under the caste name of Israel, and it is

at this time that evidence appears of residence by Bene Israel in Bombay, repetition of

this sentence and it is of this time that evidence appears of residence by Bene Israel in

Bombay.12 Throughout most of the nineteenth century, the Bene Israel served in many

regiments of the army and their services were well recognized.13 They distinguished

themselves in such campaigns as the Maratha Wars, the Mysore Wars, the Sind Wars,

the Punjab Wars and others, and won the respect and appreciation of their European

superiors as well as the good will of the Indian rank and file.14

When the British East India Company began to recruit for the Bombay Army in the mid

eighteenth century, it drew a good response from the Bene Israel community primarily

because of the fact that it had served in the pre-British Indian armies, drawing upon the

long traditions of service under the Marathas and the Nawab of Janjira. Benjamin Israel

points out that owing to their superior education and merit, the Bene Israel earned quick

promotions to officer ranks far out of proportion of their number in the regiments.15 This

is what a Committee Report On The Fighting Efficiency of the Native Army had to say

about Jews as soldiers-

11
Ibid
12
Ibid
13
Joan G. Roland, The Jewish Communities of India Identity In A Colonial Era, Transaction
Publishers, New Brunswick, 1998, p.22
14
Ibid
15
Benjamin J. Israel, The Bene Israel of India, quoted in Roland, op.cit, p.22
Of Jews and Christians, there are in the 22 Regiments 413. Jews are very intelligent

and generally very well educated, and this class has hitherto produced many good

native officers. Many Jews are also good clerks and artificers.16

A new chapter of military service in the long martial traditions of the Bene Israel was

opened in 1760 when the five Divekar brothers joined the British Indian army. Samuel

Ezekiel Divekar was promoted Native Commandant in 1775.17 See also S. Weil India's

Jewish Heritage p.14 for further information on the synagogue he established in

Bombay (and the fact that he was polygamous!).

Encouraged by the success of this family, more and more Bene Israel youth began to

enlist in the services of the East India Company. For well over a century, this

inconsiderable community of less than 12,000 souls supplied more than 50 percent of

the Indian officers of the British Indian Army.18 They saw action right up to the Khyber

Pass and beyond in the North, Burma in the East, Mysore and Hyderabad in the South

and Abyssinia and Persia in the West.19 Men from this community fought in the First,

Second and the Third Maratha War, the First and the Second Mysore War, the First and

16
Extract Report of a Committee On the Reorganization of the Bombay Army dated
Mahabaleshwar, 9th June, 1892(Enclosure to Military Dispatch From India No.243 of 8th
November 1893), Military Collection File 279/4, India Office Record Reference:
IOR/L/MIL/7/12781(The British Library, UK)
17
Dr. Shalva Weil, The Bene Israel of India, Courtesy:
http://www.bh.org.il/communities/Archive/BeneIsrael.asp (9.2.07)
This is the correct link accessed today. The other doesn't open.
http://www.bh.org.il/database-article.aspx?48701
18
I.A. Ezekiel, Martial Traditions Of the Bene Israel Community, India And Israel, No.8,
February 1949, p.18
19
Ibid
Second Afghan War and the First and Second Burma War.20 They witnessed the

decline and the collapse of the Peshwa regime, the surrender of Gwalior, Indore and

Baroda (presently Vadodara), the subjugation of Gujarat, Kathiawar and Sind.21 They

were present at the capture of King Thibaw of Burma and saw the final annexation of

that country. They contributed in no small measure in joining up and cementing the

thousand fragments in which the country was then split up.22 And, in bringing it under a

single hegemony, albeit foreign, they contributed to the consolidation of the land into a

united nation of which the free and independent India of today is the final flowing.23

Bold and courageous while advancing, cool and collected when ordered to retreat, the

Bene Israel soldiers, on the admission of their British officers, were consistently loyal in

carrying out the most hazardous orders of their superiors and concernful considerate?

of the interests of their colleagues and subordinates while in action.24 While thus

participating in the consolidation of India, the Bene Israel played a vital part in

establishing peace and order in this stupendous territory. India in the 18th century was in

a chaotic situation. There was widespread social degeneration. Neither in the hills nor in

the plains were life and property safe. The roving bands of Pindaris swept down on

villages and indulged in the most reckless incendiarism, plundered crops and

properties, kidnapped women and children, and made life in rural India virtually a

nightmare. The Pindaris were predatory hordes who were attached to the (Maratha)

20
Ibid
21
Ibid
22
Ibid
23
Ibid
24
Ibid
regular army in their expeditions for devastating and plundering the countryside through

which they passed.25 They were not paid by the government.26 On the contrary they

were paid a tax called Palpati to the general to whose army they were attached in return

for the protection they received from him.27 They avoided fighting regular enemy forces

and when confronted they dispersed and re-assembled again at an appointed

rendevouz.28 Thugs constituted another menace to the peace of the country. In the

absence of railway and bus services, people did not have anything except the slow-

moving bullock cart. Thousands traveled on foot. Travel from Bombay to Poona took

more than a fortnight.29 Against the background of the collapse of law and order in the

territories of the collapsing Indian dynasties, for which the British were also responsible,

the Thugs found a fertile field for an incessant campaign of murder and loot. They

glorified in crime as a religion and as a justification of their depredations. Both Hindus

and Muslims formed part of the thugee bands. It was against this backdrop that the

Bene Israel soldiers played a vital role. Bene Israel military officers shouldered more

than their share of burden in fighting the Pindari menace, in breaking up and destroying

the thugee bands, and subjugating the Bhils and Ramosis, and other tribes. The British

knew where to get men for their military; they could appreciate their worth.30 No wonder

they built up the far-flung empire.31 No wonder also that the British paid such high

25
Lt. Col. H.C. Kar, Military History of India, Firma KLM Pvt. Ltd., Calcutta, 1980, p.546
26
Ibid
27
Ibid
28
Ibid
29
I.A. Ezekiel, Martial Traditions Of the Bene Israel Community, op.cit., p.18
30
Ibid, p.19
31
Ibid
 32
tributes to Bene-Israel soldiers. He has done what few can boast of having done,

remarked one British officer regarding a Bene-Israel officer; He is one in a thousand,

declared another British officer regarding his Bene Israel colleague33. For well over a

century this inconsiderable community of less than 12,000 souls supplied more than fifty

percent of the Indian officers of the British Indian Army, and saw action right up to the

Khyber Pass and beyond in the North, Burma in the East, Mysore and Hyderabad in the

South, and Abyssinia and Persia in the West.34

Bene Israel soldiers also proved their mettle against the war-like tribes of the North-

Western frontier Province (presently in Pakistan) like the Afridis as also against their

counterparts in the North-East of India.35 The Bene Israel fought wars overseas,

especially in the British expedition against Abyssinia in 1867-68 and Afghanistan in

1880.36 They were recipients of awards for gallantry and citations of merit.37 These

military careers opened new vistas and facilitated the process of enlightenment and

cultural advancement.38 They also remained steadfastly loyal to the British during the

Great Revolt of 1857. Owing to their superior education and merit, the Bene Israel stood

32
Ibid
33
Ibid
34
Ibid, p.18
35
See Appendix for individual profiles of Bene Israel veterans Fn in wrong place
36
Ezekiel Musleah On the Banks of the Ganga the Sojourn of the Jews of Calcutta, Christopher
Publishing House, Massachusetts, 1975, p.386
37
Ibid
38
Ibid
out and earned promotion to officer ranks out of all proportion to their numbers on the

strength of the regiments.39

Notwithstanding their meritorious service, the British effected a change in their army

policy that led to a decline in the Bene Israel enlistment. The Bengal armys system of

promotion by seniority replaced the Bombay armys policy of promotion by merit and,

because of their small numbers, the rate of promotion of Bene Israel personnel declined

sharply.40 In the first place, promotions on strict seniority as followed in the much larger

Bengal Army replaced promotion by merit which had prevailed in the Bombay Army,

and as a consequence, the rate of promotions of Bene Israel personnel fell sharply

owing to their small numbers.41 Then growing caste consciousness within the

regiments led the authorities to make the Bombay regiments predominantly Maratha or

Rajput in character, virtually excluding smaller communities like the Bene Israel which

were not numerous enough to man a whole regiment.42 Thus there could be only one

officer out of each one hundred caste members.43 Initially as Clive and his successors

recruited an army for the East India Company, considerations of racial ability mattered

little.44 Many regiments, especially in the southern armies, accepted all recruits and

intermixed them without concern for caste or religion.45 The Bengal army after 1800 in

39
Benjamin J. Israel, op.cit, p.18
40
Joan G. Roland, The Jewish Communities of India Identity In A Colonial Era, Transaction
Publishers, New Brunswick, 1998, p.22
41
Benjamin J. Israel, op.cit, p.18
42
Ibid
43
Ibid
44
T.R. Metcalfe, Idelogies of the Raj, Cambridge University Press, New Delhi, 1995, p.126
45
Ibid
large part confined its recruitment to the higher castes, above all Brahmins and Rajputs,

and it drew the bulk of its soldiery from rural Oudh and Bihar.46 After 1857 the mutinous

Bengal regiments were disbanded, and the recruiting grounds shifted to the north, to the

area from Delhi across the Punjab to the frontier.47 Simultaneously, mixed regiments

were largely abandoned in favour of those organized on a systematic grouping of men

by race and sept and clan.48 With little chance of becoming officers, the Bene Israel

did not want to remain in the lower ranks with relatively low pay.49 By the third quarter of

the century, their enlistment practically stopped.50

Reflecting on this situation, the Bene Israelite, a community newspaper implied that an

organized Jewish communal structure such as existed in the Great Britain and the

United States might be helpful.51 By the end of the century, very few senior Bene Israel

officers remained in active service.52 The small numbers are indicated by an annual

return showing the class composition of the armed forces of India as of January 1,

1906. Of a total of 222, 402 in the Indian army, Imperial Service, military police and

militia, there were thirty seven Jews: four native officers, fourteen non-commissioned

officers, two musicians and seventeen privates.53

46
Ibid
47
Ibid
48
Ibid
49
Benjamin J. Israel, op.cit, p.18
50
Ibid
51
For full text of the document, see Appendix
52
Joan G. Roland, The Jewish Communities of India Identity In A Colonial Era, Transaction
Publishers, New Brunswick, 1998, p.23
53
Ibid
In response to the policy of exclusion practiced by the then colonial government, the

Bene Israel made several petitions on behalf of the Anglo-Jewish Association. It might

be explained that until 1918, no Indian could hold the Royal Commission.54 The highest

rank an Indian could reach was Subedar Major (in the earliest days styled Native

Commandant), which though it carried considerable status, corresponded in substance

to Regimental Sergeant Major in a British Regiment.55 After 1918, Royal Commissions

were very sparingly granted to Indians and several extraneous considerations governed

selections.56 The "Indianisation" of the British Indian Army began with the formation of

the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College at Dehradun in March 1912 with the

purpose of providing education to the scions of aristocratic and well to do Indian families

and to prepare selected Indian boys for admission into the Royal Military College,

Sandhurst. Indian officers given a King's commission after passing out were posted to

one of the eight units selected for Indianisation. Political pressure due to the slow pace

of Indianisation, just 69 officers being commissioned between 1918 and 1932, led to the

formation of the Indian Military Academy in 1932 and greater numbers of officers of

Indian origin being commissioned57. It was only on the outbreak in 1939 of World War II

that the Bene Israel could to a small degree, renew their connections with the armed

forces in higher rank and which has provided India with a Vice-Admiral (Vice-Admiral

Samson) and a Major General (Major General Samson). Lt. Col Ephraim Jhirad died

during the 1971 Indo-Pak war which resulted in the liberation of Bangladesh alongside

54
Benjamin J. Israel, op.cit, p.19
55
Ibid
56
Ibid
57
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Army (20.04.2012)
the birth of a new nation. He is buried at the Jewish cemetery in New Delhi.58 See Joan

Roland "Military Prowess" in S. Weil ed India's Jewish Heritage pp. 116-7 with useful

additional information.

In a nutshell it may be said that despite their numerical inferiority, the Bene Israel

community of India served the country extraordinarily well during the pre-British, the

British period as well as the post-independence period in almost all capacities in the

respective armed forces, and what they lacked in numbers, they made it up with their

quality and sheer dedication to the cause to which they committed themselves. The

Bene Israel were perhaps unique among the Jews of the world in having for over a

century so large a proportion of their manpower in the armed forces of their country.59

Therein lies its significance.

58
I am indebted to Rabbi Ezekiel Isaac Malekar, Rabbi of the Judah Hyam Synagogue in New
Delhi, for this bit of information.
59
Benjamin J. Israel, op.cit, p.19

Acknowledgements :

Lieutenant-General (retd)J.F.R Jacob PVSM, New Delhi

Rabbi Ezekiel Isaac Malekar, Honorary Secretary, Judah Hyam Synagogue, New
Delhi

Wing Commander (retd) Rahamim Varulkar, Pune

Nissim Moses, President, Bene Israel Hertiage Genealogy Centre, Israel

You could perhaps add by way of footnote that the BI in Israel have not excelled in IDF

and I know of no famous officers there.

Appendix

Isaac Ashkenazy, Bene Israel Hertiage Genealogy Centre, Israel

Mrs. Ruth Greenfield, Indian Jewish Heritage Centre, Israel

The Jewish National and University Library, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem,
Givat Ram, Israel

Mr. John O Brien, Archivist, British Library, UK

DIVEKAR, SAMUEL EZEKIEL (Samajee Hasajee):

By: Joseph Jacobs

Soldier in the service of the East India Company and second founder of the Beni-Israel

congregation of Bombay; born at CochinHe was a native of the Konkan. I am sure you

copied this correctly but it is inaccurate. in 1730; died there in 1797. He enlisted in the

East India Company's army about 1760, and rose to the rank of native commandant in

the Sixth Battalion. While serving in the second Mysore war, under General Matthews,

he was taken prisoner with several other Beni-Israel by Tippu Sahib, and he and his

companions were about to be executed; but when they stated that they were Beni-

Israel the mother of Tippu Sahib, who was familiar with that name in the Koran,

begged their lives; and Divekar and his companions were cast into prison. He made a

vow that if he were released he would devote his life to reviving Judaism among the

Beni-Israel of Bombay; and on escaping in 1795, he went to that city, and by his

exertions induced the Beni-Israel to build a synagogue and adopt the ritual and Jewish

observances current in Cochin. A synagogue was erected in 1796; but Divekar died

the following year in his native place, whither he had gone to obtain scrolls of the Law

for the new congregation

 Divekar died in 1797 but there is a debate as to whether he went straight to Cochin

and from there to Bombay and then established Shaar Rahamim synagogue, or first

established the synagogue and then went to Cochin, where he died. Some say he is

buried in Ernakulam. See Brenda Josephs' research in this field. .

Bibliography: H. Samuel, Sketches of the Beni-Israel, Bombay, n.d., p. 24. J.

Courtesy: http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=394&letter=D (11.2.07)

 Appendix

BHORUPKAR, SAMUEL BAPUJI:

By : Joseph Jacobs J. Hyams

Beni-Israel soldier; born near Bombay, India, about 1790. He entered the Fourth

Bombay Regiment on Feb. 2, 1811. In 1813 he served with the Poona Brigade under

Colonel Cooke, and in 1814 was engaged in Katyawar and on the banks of the Runn

against the Waghurs; in 1815 in Guzerat, at Bhuj, in Katyawar and Ookamundul; was
 present at the capture of the forts of Anjor, Kunkote, Dhingkee, and Joonkee; in 1816

was at Jamnuggur and Dwarka, and at the taking of Dcesa, Palampur, Veerumpur,

and Kurrunjah; in 1817-18 served in the whole of the campaign in Malwa in pursuit of

Holkar, and in 1819 was at the capture of the forts of Newtee and Raree in the

southern Konkan. From 1821 to 1827 he was employed on various field services in

Guzerat, at the taking of the fort Limbuj, and at Dongerpur, and subsequently in the

southern Konkan on several occasions.

Bhorupkar was promoted to the rank of a jemidar Jan. 9, 1828, and to that of subedar

on Dec. 28, 1833; was appointed subedar-major on Jan. 1, 1839; was admitted to the

Second-Class Order of British India, with the title of bahadur, on March 24, 1841; and

retired from service Feb. 3, 1847.

J. J. Hy.

Courtesy:

http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=1015&letter=B&search=Jacob%20Bapuji%

20Israel (11.2.07)

Appendix
Aaron Charikar was appointed Nayek or Commander of a Fleet by Kanoji Angria about

the beginning of the seventeenth century. He performed his duties so satisfactorily that

he received some land in Inam (literally reward) from that Chieftain. The Charrikars held

the most important and responsible post of Naik or Commanders of Angrias Fleet until

it was burnt by the Peshwa in 1793. Like the Churrikars, it is said that another Bene

Israel family, the Kurrulkars, were commanders of the janjira fleet. Bene Israel

commanders were issued sanads (royal decrees announcing special favours). His

Royal Highness Baburao Angria issued one such sanad in 1802 in favour of Aaron

Naik bin Tanaji Naik in addition to Bhowji Naik bin Succoji Naik

Source: Hayeem Samuel Kehimkar, The History of the Bene Israel of India, Dayag

Press, Tel Aviv, 1937, p.79

Appendix
Subedar-Major and Honorary Captain Samuel Isaac Sardar Bahadur, a veteran of

many wars, was born in Bombay in 1820, and reached the Biblical age of 92 years.

Captain Samuel was in possession of the Punjab and Abyssinian medals, and of many

other decorations for bravery.

Source: India and Israel, February, 1949, No.8, the Ben Zvi Istitute for the Study of

Jewish Communities in the East, Jerusalem, Israel

Havildar Abraham Bamnolkar saw active service during World War I and during the

Waziristan Campaign, 1922-1924. Retired after 25 years of service in 1929, he re-

enrolled ten years later and served again during the whole of World War II

Source: Ibid

Subedar Major Bahadur Ezekiel Benjamin Malekar (who) was taken prisoner by

Tippoo Sultan during the Mysore War but was released at the intervention of Tippoos
mother who came to know that he was a Bene Israel. He was rewarded the Star of India

Medal for bravery

Source: Ibid

Subedar Major Sardar Bahadur Moses Benjamin Malekar was born in 1830. He

joined the military in 1851, served in various military operations all over the country and

died in Bombay in 1897 when he was give a military funeral with full honours. He was

presented with the Star of India Medal for bravery.

Source: Ibid

Mr. Simon Judah (1867-1944) served in an Indian unit with the British army on South

Africa during the Boer War of 1899. Previously he had served on the North-West

Frontier.

Source: Ibid

Drum-Major Eliezer Moses rising from the ranks saw twenty-five years service with the

Bombay Volunteer Rifles; the Indian Defence Force and Bombay Battalion of the Indian

Auxiliary Force. He is the brother of Dr. E. Moses, M.D., Ex-Mayor of Bombay.

Source: Ibid
 Appendix

Vice-Admiral Benjamin Abraham Samson (1917-2008)

Known as the moral ballast of the Indian navy among colleagues for his integrity and

uprightness, Vice-Admiral Benjamin Samson or Chippy Samson as he was popular

among friends, he was the Commandant of the National Defence Academy at

Khadakvasla, Naval Advisor in the Indian High Commission in London and commander

of the Indian Fleet in 1965, Chippy Samson was commissioned in the Royal Indian

Navy and saw action during World War II. Admiral Samson got a direct commission as

lieutenant to the Royal Indian Navy in 1939. After serving in the Mediterranean, the Red

Sea, the Bay of Bengal, his was the last ship out of Rangoon, the capital of Burma,

when it fell to the Japanese. He commanded the Sutlej off the coast of Karachi when

India won Independence After retirement from active service, he devoted his time and
energy towards bolstering the countrys naval defences through overseeing warship

construction as Chairman and Managing director of the Mazagon docks, besides

supervising the launch of the programme to construct the Leander Class frigates,

including the illustrious INS Nilgiri. Samson was more honoured and respected in

industrial circles, than any other defence officer, before or thereafter. A legendary figure

in his lifetime, Admiral Samson would continue to provide inspiration to future

generation of defence personnel.

Source(s): Excerpted from Keith Flory, The Navys Moral Ballast, The Statesman

(Kolkata), 2008

http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/sep/11spec.htm (10.5.12)
 Appendix

Wing Commander Rahamim Varulkar

Wing Commander Rahamim Varulkar was born in 1959, and was commissioned in the

Indian Air Force as a Pilot Officer in the Accounts Branch on 4th June 1982. He was

deputed to various important Fighter Bases as well as various Equipment Depots during

the years of his gloriousi service of 25 years. He was also posted to an important

Transport Base responsible for VIP and VVIP movements. As a senior Officer in the

rank of Wing Commander, he had the distinction of working as the Chief Administrative

Officer at the apex Accounting Office of the IAF, which is by itself a unique feature

amongst all the three services. During the course of his service as an accounts officer,

he was also multi -tasked to perform as the Adjutant as well as the Administrative

Officer of some of the important units and also performed as the Security Officer of

some of the very important bases. He was also responsible as a Jury Member of an
important Court Martial. His exemplary performance as a Security Officer, at an

important frontier base at the western Borders, while tackling the terrorists, earned him

a Commendation from the Air Officer Commanding in Chief of the Western Air

Command. He had also participated in the 1999 Kargil Conflict, while being posted at an

important base on the western frontiers and earned a medal for the same. He took

voluntary retirement from the Indian Air Force on the 31st March 2007 after working for

almost 25 most memorable and worthwhile years of his service life. He is extremely

proud to have been associated with such an elite and great service of the Nation.ii Wing

Commander presently lives on the outskirts of Pune.

 Appendix

Bio- Graphic Brief

Lt Gen Russell Jacob Mordecai, PVSM, AVSM

LT GEN RJ MORDECAI, PVSM, AVSM

Born- 9 Feb 1941

Compiled & Edited by Nissim Moses-Bene Israel Heritage and Genealogy Research Lt.

General Russell Jacob Mordecai (Borgaonkar) was the highest ranking Bene Israel

Officer in the Indian Army. He is the Grandson of the Late Khan Saheb Jacob

Mordechai-Deputy Chief of Military Accounts Pune and son of Jacob Mordechai Kaisar-

E-Hind.
General Russell Mordechai and his brothers and sisters were very unfortunate in losing

both their parents very early in life, but through the care of their aunt Mrs. Eppie Judah

were very successful in weathering the storm and achieving success in their respective

lives. Gen. Russell Mordecai studied in some of the best schools & colleges in India

such as Bombay Scottish School, St. Ornellas in Poona and Christ Church High School

in Jabalpur and then at St. Aloysius College. He joined the Indian Military Academy at

Dehra Dun in July 1959, and was Commissioned in the Engineers Corps (The Bombay

Sappers) of the Indian Army on 11 June 1961. Despite a very serious accident while

serving with the Border Roads Organization in NEFA he recovered after very long

periods in Military Hospitals to finally

rise to become the Director General of that Organization of that very Organization

achieving the rank of Lt. General of that very Organization and served in this

Appointment for over four years. He retired after 42 years of Service in the Indian Army,

as Commandant of the College of Military Engineering, in the year March 2001. Lt.

General Russell Mordecai was basically a Combat Engineer in the Indian Army. He was

a highly Experienced and Professional Soldier with rich experience in Regimental,

Instructional and Staff Assignments. He was a luminary of The Defence Services Staff

College Wellington, The College of Combat Mhow, (now called The War College) and

The National Defence College New Delhi. His civil qualifications include an Engineer

Degree, M.Sc. (Defence Studies), Fellow of the Institute of Engineers (FIE), and Fellow

of the Indian Institute Bridge Engineering (FIIBE). He has also been a Member of a

large number of Professional bodies. Lt. Gen. Russell Mordecai has been awarded

both the Param Vishist Seva Medal (PVSM) and the Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM) by
the President of India, the President of India, the highest and second highest award,

awarded in recognition of a Distinct Performance, and for rendering Service of the most

exceptional order. The Indian Road Congress (IRC) Medal for the best Paper on

Maintenance, instituted by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). The State of

Maharashtra Cash Award in recognition of the Award of a PVSM, conferred by The

President of India.

Courtesy: Mr. Nissim Moses, Israel (Ashkenazy didn't write this, only Moses)
 Appendix

Bio-Brief

Major General Jonathan Reuben Samson Bhonkar-PVSM

The Bene Israel Officer Who Laid The Foundations of Defence Equipment Development

& Production Self Sufficiency in India Major General Jonathan Reuben Samson

Bhonkar-PVSM- IC887 Compiled & Edited by Nissim Moses-Bene Israel Heritage and

Genealogy

Research Major General Jonathan Reuben Samson Bhonkar an accomplished

champion sportsman in Rowing and Hockey and a Graduate of Poona Engineering

College in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, joined the army in Dec 1940. He was

one of the first Indian officers who were inducted in the erstwhile Directorate of

Technical Development Organization to undertake development, inspection and

evaluation of stores produced for the services by the Ordinance Factories. His sincere &

untiring efforts laid the firm foundation for the growth of the Inspection and Development

Organization in the Defence set up. Before August 1947 he held various appointments

in India and abroad including Iraq, Iran, Egypt and Greece. From 1947 to 1958 he held

the position of Assistant Chief Superintendent of Development, Superintendent of

Development and Chief Superintendent of Development and was responsible for the

development of weapons and other armament stores produced in the various ordinance

factories. During his tenure as Director of rmaments a number of new Armament

Research Development Establishments were established and the existing ones

considerably augmented to take on the tasks from the services. He displayed dynamism

and leadership in the creation of a fully modernized Proof and Experimental

Establishment for Armament stores at Balasore and a Terminal Ballistic Research

Laboratory at Chandigarh. He was responsible for initiating and supporting a large

number of development projects for strategic items which resulted in saving of a

considerable amount of foreign exchange. In August1964 he took over as Chief

Controller

Research & Development. Some of the noteworthy developments since then are the

creation of a Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, Textiles and Stores and

Stores Research and Development Organization at Kanpur, Aerial Delivery Research &

Development Establishment at Agra and Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment at

Manali. Due to the Constant Drive to make the country self sufficient in defence stores

the indigenization program was followed with great vigor in the whole of the Research &

Development Organization and through his effort this organization has helped to save

the country a considerable amount of foreign exchange. His contribution in the Growth

of Establishments for Electronics has also been significant and through his support

these establishments have been able to achieve breakthrough in the development of

many strategic items. Throughout Major General Jonathan Reuben Samson Bhonkar

has rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Source: Courtesy: Mr. Nissim Moses and Mr. Moses Ashkenazy, Israel Mr. Nissim

Moses, Israel (Ashkenazy didn't write this, only Moses

 Appendix

Petition of Bene Israel Jews through the Anglo-Jewish Association

General Heading: Indian Army

Enlistment of Eurasians, Jews etc. (1898)

Sub-head: Representation by the Bene Israel of Bombay regarding their non-enlistment

in the native army (dated 31 March 1898)

The Secretary of the Anglo-Jewish Association forwards a copy of a letter he has

received from the President and Secretary of the Bene Israel Benevolent Society of

Bombay representing that the effect of the re-organization of the Bombay Army on the

class squadron and Company is to preclude the Jews in India from serving in the (?)

armyiii heretofore.

The enlistment of Jews does not appear to have been altogether stopped, but they are

entertained as writers, musicians and (?)iv..only and apparently precluded from

promotion to commissioned rank.

The representation is one which should have been made to the authorities in India and

would only be considered if received through them. It is preferred to inform the

Secretary of the Anglo-Jewish Association..v

Military Department Form 10

Draft Letter Paper

Addressed to the Secretary

Anglo-Jewish Association

Bloomfield House

85, London Wall E.C.

India Office

8 March 1898
I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th February, with which

your forwarded copy of a letter from representatives of the Bene Israel Community in

Bombay regarding the non-enlistment of Jews in the Bombay Native Army.

In reply I am to say that the subject is one in which the Secretary of State in Council

could only consider on a representation made through the Government of India and the

Bene Israel Benevolent Society should address the authorities in that country

accordingly.

The Right Hon. Lord George Hamilton, M.P. Her Majestys Principal Secretary of State

for India

My Lord

I am directed by the Council of the Anglo Jewish Association to submit to your Lordship

a copy of the letter which has been received by the Association from the representatives

of the Bene Israel Community in Bombay. It appears from the letter that in consequence

of a general order of the Government of India the regiments of the Bombay Army have

now been reorganized by class squadrons and class companies in such a manner to

preclude the Bene Israel from serving in the ranks as heretofore.

The association trusts that the matter may be brought under the consideration of the

Government of India and that it may be found possible to remove any disability with

regard to serving in the Indian Army, under which the Community in question may

suffer.

I have the honour to be, My Lord

M. Duparc

Secretary
 Appendix

Copy of the Letter from the Anglo-Jewish Association on behalf of the Bene-Israel

dated 14th January, 1898

Sir,

We have the honour to enclose a copy of the General Order by the Government of

India No. 311 dated 22 March 1895. Identifying with the approval of the Right

Honourable Secretary of State for India that all Regiments of the Bombay Army will in

future be organized by class, squadron and class emphasis, we beg to represent the

case of the Bene- Israels of Bombay Presidency for the serious consideration of the

Anglo-Jewish Association, with a fervent hope that you all will be kind enough to

consider the matter and endeavour to remove the disabilities of our co-religionists

serving in the Indian Army.

From the time of the settlement of the Bene-Israels in India in the Bombay Presidency

(there are no Bene Israels in the Bengal and Madras Presidencies) they have been

enlisted in the Native Regiments and many of them have shown their devoted ness and

loyalty by serving gallantly in the wars and mutinies that have occurred in the country,

and risen to the ranks of Jamadars, Subedars, Bahadoors and Sirdar Bahadoors. . Most
of them have served and do now serve in the Staff of the Regiments as Pay and

Musketry writers, Pupil Teachers, Instructors etc. and are soon promoted as Naiques

and Havildars even before the Mahomedans and Hindus attain these positions.

The Bene Israel performed most distinguished services in the war with Tippoo Sultan of

Mysore and obtained pensions. The recent General Order published by the Secretary of

State for India is consequently considered a great hardship by the Bene Israel.

The Mahomedans and Hindus being numerous, it is wise to form Regiments or

Companies exclusively of them; but the number of Bene Israels being limited, they

cannot collect an adequate number of men to form even a single Company. But the

Bene Israels are usually identified with Hindus and Mahomedan peasantry for all Civil

purposes by the Government and they might be allowed the same military positions with

regard to Military matters. They might be promoted according to merit identifying them

with those sections of the Indian people-Mahomedans, Hindus, Punjabis, Jats etc in

whose regimental division they may be enrolled. This special act of favour will be

nothing more thasn simple justice to one of Her Most Gracious Majestys most loyal

subjects.

We humbly beg that you will be pleased to wait on the Secretary of State for India and

represent our above stated case to him with your wonted eloquence and cogency of

argument and we feel assured that the Bene Israel Community will be freed from the
restrictions we have brought to your notice. By doing us this favour, you will confer a

great boon on them.

Begging to be pardoned for the liberty we have taken of intruding on you with this matter

being of utmost importance to our co-religionists who are employed in the Indian

Regiments.

We beg to remain

Sirs

Your most humbly and obediently

Source: Extract Report of a Committee On the Reorganization of the Bombay Army

dated Mahabaleshwar, 9th June, 1892(Enclosure to Military Dispatch From India No.243

of 8th November 1893), Military Collection File 279/4, India Office Record Reference:

IOR/L/MIL/7/12781
Of Jews and Christians, there are in the 22 Regiments 413. Jews are very intelligent

and generally very well educated, and this class has hitherto produced many good

native officers. Many Jews are also good clerks and artificers.

In many regiments Christians (Goanese) from a considerable portion of the musicians

and buglers, they being, as a rule, quite the best musicians; but they are not be got in

sufficient numbers. This class has also given us some excellent native officers; but

Goanese are generally of inferior physique and hence no have been enlisted ordinarily

for the ranks. Moreover, it is only the extra pay as musicians and buglers which has of

late years attracted the few we have been able to enlist.

These classes-Christians and Jews, - should be permitted to enlisted in only such

numbers as may be absolutely necessary.

***** ******* ******* *******

Few, if any, Jews are found amongst the musicians or buglers, but many are employed

as clerks and artificers. To make a hard and fast rule that no writer of any class is to be

promoted to the rank of native officer, appears too arbitrary; for many writers have

turned out excellent native officers, efficient in every respect, and there appears to be

no reason for their not being so, since in the Bombay Army they are not usually

specially enlisted as clerks, but, as other sepoys have to pass their drill, attend parades

and musketry drills, and perform the courses of Musketry and Military Company training,

- in fact do all duties like any other soldiers other than guard duties. It is merely from the

fact of their greater intelligence and better education than the others that they become
clerks in Regimental Offices. Those who make it their aim of advancement in the

service, think they have a better chance of attaining their object by studying in the

Regimental school, and those who are the most successful in qualifying in the English

tests for reading, writing and arithmetic, are those who are selected as clerks. If the,

their promotion to the rank of native officer is to be barred, there will be less inducement

for men to qualify as clerks, the standard of education in the Native Army will be

lowered, and there will be a difficulty in carrying on the work in Regimental offices. It is

not always the best writer that makes the best native officer, but many writers have

made efficient native officers, and if a writer is by class and in other respects considered

entirely suitable for the position of a native officer, he should not be passed over for

promotion simply because he is a clerk. It is proposed to discontinue the enlistment of

Christians and Jews and the low caste Hindus, except for the duties of bandsmen,

buglers, drummers and clerks, therefore the number of these in a regiment in future will

be limited. As their enlistment for the above duties seems to be an absolute necessity,

we think that in the case of Christians and Jews their promotion to the rank native officer

should not be entirely prohibited, but should be permitted on special application to Army

Headquarters if considered desirable.

Source: Ibid

i
As told in his own words by email correspondence to the author
ii
In his own words
iii
Handwriting illegible
iv
Handwriting illegible
v
Contents illegible