The Chattri

Indian soldiers in WWI

During the First World War, one and a half million Indian soldiers fought alongside British troops. Twelve thousand Indian soldiers were injured on the Western Front and were sent back to Brighton where they were looked after. Some of the places they were looked after included the Royal Pavilion and The Dome.

The ultimate sacrifice

Fifty-three Hindu and Sikh soldiers died and they were taken to a peaceful place on the downs near Patcham on the outskirts of Brighton to be cremated. After cremation their ashes were scattered in the English Channel. After the war to commemorate the Indians’ contribution and sacrifice in the Great War, the Chattri was erected at the site where the cremations took place.

A calm and peaceful place

The reason why I like this particular place in Brighton is because when I wake up at my Nanny and Granddad’s house (in Patcham) I can see the Chattri and it looks really pretty and peaceful. On a nice day we would walk up to it with our friends and have a picnic. The Chattri is a beautiful big, white building, with a dome shaped top. In the middle of it there is a candle shaped like a flower. The Chattri is a great calm place to go and sit down and be peaceful.