The Revisit: When WWI reached India as German ship bombed Madras
This historical piece recounts the 1914 bombardment of Madras by the German cruiser SMS Emden during World War I. The article highlights how the ship used a deceptive dummy funnel to disguise itself as a British vessel, allowing it to strike the Indian port city by surprise.
Why it matters
It provides historical context on how global conflicts like WWI directly impacted Indian coastal cities, shaping local history and collective memory.
When World War I broke out in Europe in July 1914, Madras was thousands of kilometres away from the battlefields. Yet there was little certainty among British authorities that the war would remain confined to Europe. The city's strategic importance as a major port made it vulnerable, and within weeks, residents were being advised to move towards safer places in the hinterland.By September, the anxiety had become real enough for some families to leave.Among them were the grandparents of PD Balaji, professor and head of the department of ancient history and archaeology at the University of Madras.
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