Battle of Haifa: The Indian cavalry that freed the city in 1918

In September 1918, during World War I, the Indian Jodhpur and Mysore Lancers executed one of history's last major cavalry charges, liberating Haifa from Ottoman and German forces. This decisive victory, achieved with speed and audacity, involved over 600 horses and secured the city in a single afternoon, preventing the enemy from regrouping. Beyond its military significance, the charge also ensured the safety of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the spiritual head of the Bahá’í faith, whose life had been threatened by Ottoman commander Jamal Pasha. The Battle of Haifa is commemorated in Israel with monuments and street names, and it serves as an unexpected historical bridge between India, Israel, and the Bahá’í faith, predating modern diplomatic ties.