By Lt Gen V.P. Malik
Author: Lt Gen V.P. Malik
Genre: Military Memoir / Non-Fiction
Published by: HarperCollins India
Pages: ~350
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
🧭 Introduction
When a nation was caught off guard, courage, leadership, and resolve rose to the occasion. Kargil: From Surprise to Victory is a gripping, high-level account of the 1999 Kargil War, told by the man who led the Indian Army during that defining moment — Lt Gen V.P. Malik.
This book gives readers a unique strategic perspective into what happened behind closed doors — both at South Blockand on the icy ridges of Kargil.
🧠 What This Book Covers
🔍 The Book Highlights:
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How Pakistani intrusions were detected and verified
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The initial chaos and lack of intel
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The military planning and real-time decision-making
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Political-military coordination during war
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Tactical brilliance during battles like Tololing, Tiger Hill, and Batalik
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Behind-the-scenes diplomacy involving the U.S.
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Lessons learned by the Indian armed forces post-Kargil
🧾 Summary in a Nutshell
“It wasn’t just a war over snow-covered peaks. It was a test of strategy, political resolve, and national character.”
Lt Gen Malik gives the inside view of how India transformed a strategic surprise into a military triumph, without crossing the Line of Control. He reflects on leadership under fire, limited war doctrine, and balancing international diplomacy with ground realities.
💡 Key Military Takeaways
| Theme | Highlight |
|---|---|
| ❄️ High-Altitude Warfare | Realities of fighting above 15,000 feet |
| 📡 Intel & Surveillance | Shortfalls that led to the initial surprise |
| 🧠 Leadership Under Pressure | Decision-making from Army HQ to forward posts |
| 🌍 Diplomacy & Warfare | Balancing global image while sustaining offensive ops |
| 🛡️ Modernisation Needs | Post-war reforms initiated based on wartime experiences |
👍 What’s Good
✅ Authentic account from the top general
✅ Well-paced mix of strategy and narrative
✅ Offers political + military coordination insight
✅ Contains maps, photographs, and documents
👎 What Could Be Better
❌ Slightly heavy for readers unfamiliar with military terms
❌ Biased toward Indian perspective (expected in a memoir)
❌ Limited discussion on Pakistan’s internal military planning
📚 Best For
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Armed Forces Aspirants (NDA/CDS/SSB)
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Military Enthusiasts
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Historians and researchers
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Civilians who want to understand India’s military resolve
India’s Wars: A Military History, 1947–1971 by Air Vice Marshal Arjun Subramaniam (Retd)
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1. Introduction
Title: India’s Wars: A Military History, 1947–1971
Author: AVM Arjun Subramaniam (Retd)
Focus: A comprehensive account of India’s military history from independence to the 1971 Indo-Pak War.
Objective: To present an integrated view of India’s military operations, combining land, air, and naval campaigns.
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2. Overview of the Book
Covers major wars: 1947–48 Kashmir War, 1962 Sino-Indian War, 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak Wars.
Includes counterinsurgency operations and military diplomacy.
Based on military archives, oral histories, and secondary sources.
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3. Strengths of the Book
Tri-service Perspective: Balanced analysis of Army, Navy, and Air Force operations.
Operational Insight: Highlights planning, execution, and leadership challenges.
Accessible Writing: Suitable for both scholars and general readers.
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4. About the Author
Arjun Subramaniam: Retired Air Vice Marshal, academic, and military historian.
Held key positions in the IAF and is known for scholarly contributions on warfare and strategy.
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5. Background
Written in context of the need for indigenous military historiography.
Bridges the gap between military professionals and civilians in understanding India’s security challenges.
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6. Key Lessons
Importance of joint operations and inter-service coordination.
Value of political-military synergy in achieving strategic objectives.
Need for modernization and doctrinal clarity.
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7. Relevance Today
Offers valuable insights for current military reforms and doctrine development.
Enhances strategic awareness in a volatile geopolitical environment.
Useful for professional military education and policy analysis.
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8. Highlights
Key Events Covered:
1947–48 Kashmir conflict
1962 war debacle and lessons
1965 war stalemate and Air Force’s role
1971 Bangladesh Liberation War
Military Diplomacy: India’s evolving role in global strategic affairs.
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9. Tactics and Strategies
Mountain Warfare: 1962 operations and lack of preparedness.
Armoured and Air Operations: 1965 and 1971 saw coordinated use of tanks and air power.
Heliborne and Amphibious Tactics: Effective use during 1971 Eastern sector.
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10. Lessons Learned
Training & Logistics: Importance of pre-war preparation.
Civil-Military Relations: Need for better institutional integration.
Doctrine & Innovation: Success depends on clear objectives and adaptive planning.
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11. Criticisms
Limited Dissenting Views: Less critical of leadership failures.
Institutional Bias: Leans slightly towards glorification of services.
Dense Chapters: Heavy reading for those unfamiliar with military terminology.
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12. Conclusion
India’s Wars is a landmark contribution to Indian military historiography. Arjun Subramaniam successfully blends operational detail with strategic analysis, making it essential reading for military professionals, scholars, and policy-makers. It sets a strong precedent for future documentation of India’s defence history post-1971.
🏁 Final Verdict
Kargil: From Surprise to Victory is more than just a war memoir — it’s a playbook on modern leadership during military crisis. Honest, insightful, and deeply patriotic.
⭐ 4.5/5 – Highly Recommended