Kodava Military Personnel in the World Wars

The Kodavas of Kodagu, a community historically associated with military service, have a long record of participation in the armed forces of India and the former British Indian Army. During the First and Second World Wars, men from Kodagu served in military units deployed in different theatres of the two global conflicts.

Their wartime service forms an important part of the modern military history of Kodagu. Many served in demanding conditions overseas, including campaigns in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia. Some rose to senior commissioned ranks, while others served as non-commissioned officers and soldiers.

The military tradition of the Kodavas predates the World Wars. The community historically maintained a strong martial culture in Kodagu, where military service was regarded as an important form of public duty. This tradition continued into the colonial period and subsequently into the armed forces of independent India.

First World War

The First World War (1914–1918) saw personnel from Kodagu serving in the British Indian Army. Among those recorded in the Kodagu Heritage archives is:

• Lieutenant-Colonel Codanda Madieh Ganapathy

His service represents the participation of Kodagu personnel in the first global conflict of the 20th century.

Second World War

The Second World War (1939–1945) resulted in a much larger mobilisation of the British Indian Army. Personnel from Kodagu served in different capacities and formations during the conflict.

The Kodagu Heritage records currently document the following Kodava personnel associated with the Second World War:

1. Apparanda C Iyappa
2. Apparanda Iyappa
3. Balatikalanda Medappa Uthaiah
4. Brigadier Kitianda Ganapathy 
5. Capt Bolkaranda Bopaiah Kuttappa
6. Chekkera Somaiah Cariappa
7. Cheppudira Subai
8. Chowrira Thimmaiah
9. Ketolira C Madappa
10. Kodandera  M Cariappa
11. Kodandera  S Thimmaiah
12. Kodendara Aiyappa Muthanna
13. Kuppanda Chinappa
14. Maj Chambanda Cariappa
15. Maletira Nachappa
16. Moodera A Ponnaiah Havildar Clerk 2nd World War
17. Moodera Thimmaiah Aiyappa  2nd world war Burma Campaign
18. Moovera Kalappa
19. Palachanda Chinnappa – Naik
20. Paradanda Chengappa
21. Pattamada Nanjunda

The existing archive specifically identifies Moodera A. Ponnaia as having served as a Havildar Clerk during the Second World War, while Moodera Thimmaiah Aiyappa is associated with the Burma Campaign. Palachanda Chinnappa is recorded with the rank of Naik.