“India’s Wars” by Air Vice Marshal Arjun Subramaniam

📕 Book Name: India’s Wars: A Military History, 1947–1971
🖋️ Author: Air Vice Marshal Arjun Subramaniam (Retd.)
📚 Category: India-Pak Wars
📅 Published: 2016

🔥 Summary

“India’s Wars” chronicles the evolution of the Indian military from 1947 to 1971, covering key conflicts like the 1947–48 Kashmir War, 1962 Sino-Indian War, 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan, as well as internal operations like Hyderabad and Goa. The author, a senior IAF officer, blends operational detail with strategic insight, presenting a holistic narrative of India’s war-making process.

🧠 Key Takeaways

  • Clear explanation of jointness between the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

  • Real accounts of battlefield decisions at all levels — from Generals to unit commanders.

  • Strategic lessons from failures (like 1962) and strengths (like 1971 Eastern Theatre).

  • Insight into the political-military interface during wartime.

  • Rare first-person interviews included.

🎯 Relevance for Defence Aspirants

    • Enhances understanding of war strategy and doctrine.

    • Gives an insider’s view of leadership, operations, and logistics.

    • Builds historical context that helps in SSB interviews, CDS/IMA prep, and military writing.

India’s Wars: A Military History, 1947–1971 by Air Vice Marshal Arjun Subramaniam (Retd)

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.

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.

 

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.

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.


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.


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.

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.


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.

9. Tactics and Strategies

Mountain Warfare: 1962 operations and lack of preparedness.
Armoured and Air Operations: 1965 & 1971 saw coordinated use of tanks and air power.
Heliborne and Amphibious Tactics: Effective use during 1971 Eastern sector.

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.

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.

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.

Verdict

A must-read for any serious defence aspirant or military history enthusiast. It not only narrates the events but teaches how wars are actually fought, coordinated, and won.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

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