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Gilgit Rebellion: The Major who Mutinied over Partition of India
In 1942 William Brown was posted as a recently commissioned Indian Army Officer to the Gilgit Agency in the very north of the North West Frontier. He traveled widely, learnt the local dialects and built the Chilas Polo ground. After a brief period away from Gilgit, just prior to Partition in early 1947 he was appointed acting Commandant of the Gilgit Scoots.
To his horror he learnt that the Viceroy Lord Mountbatten had ruled that Gilgit, despite being 99% Muslim, should be ceded to Hindu rule. Knowing that this was a disastrous and callous decision that would lead to insurrection, chaos and bloodshed, the 25 year-old acting Major Brown took it upon himself to oust the Indian Governor, fly to Karachi and offer Gilgit to the Pakistanis, who accepted with alacrity.
Brown knew that he was in the eyes of the Indians and Mountbatten, a mutineer who would have been executed, had he fallen into Indian hands. Thus it is all the more extraordinary that six months later he was awarded the MBE, the citation of which was so vague that it gave no indication of the reason.
As well as giving an hour-by-hour account of this unfolding political and military drama, Brown’s memoir captures the atmosphere and magic of this remote country at the close of the Empire.
To his horror he learnt that the Viceroy Lord Mountbatten had ruled that Gilgit, despite being 99% Muslim, should be ceded to Hindu rule. Knowing that this was a disastrous and callous decision that would lead to insurrection, chaos and bloodshed, the 25 year-old acting Major Brown took it upon himself to oust the Indian Governor, fly to Karachi and offer Gilgit to the Pakistanis, who accepted with alacrity.
Brown knew that he was in the eyes of the Indians and Mountbatten, a mutineer who would have been executed, had he fallen into Indian hands. Thus it is all the more extraordinary that six months later he was awarded the MBE, the citation of which was so vague that it gave no indication of the reason.
As well as giving an hour-by-hour account of this unfolding political and military drama, Brown’s memoir captures the atmosphere and magic of this remote country at the close of the Empire.
- GenresPakistan
304 pages, Hardcover
First published November 30, 2014
9 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
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William Brown
861 books17 followersLibrarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 1, 2017
The British were able to control and manage India because of their superior enforcement of rule and law. Initially, they found it expedient to pay off local rulers to follow their rules. Over a period of time, these rulers and their successors became too dependent on the British rules. The British could also resort to these rules when they had to get rid of any non-conforming ruler. Also, the ordinary Indian was already well versed in class system, therefore willing to give benefit of doubt to the new British governing elite as long as justice was seen to be done.
One reason why zemindars were preferred by the British was that of their leadership ability, they could control a platoon much better than any peasant officer who struggled to maintain order over men of his own status.
The clear difference between British colonization and Pakistani hold of East Pakistan is the absolute effort spent by the British commander to keep the unity of the Scout institution intact, even if it meant disregarding the orders of their superiors. In stark contrast, the Pakistani army actively disbanded their Bengali compatriots during the 1971 disturbances while at the same time appealing to the Bengalis in the name of common religion Islam.
Not only did the colonized but the occupier were also stickler of the rule of law. So the idea of Pakistan appealed to the great British habit of justice. Pakistan was allowed because British never saw Muslims getting fair treatment by Hindus. You get a glimpse of the great pride with which Maj Brown Reading took representing the Raj as judge, passing out judgments in remote areas.
In the end, the clearly rebellious major behaved in line with the great British tradition of applying British policy loosely, as they saw fit because he knew his actions would be judged on the result. It is also interesting to note that his compatriots fully expected him to help himself to 'lut mal' looted property, which clearly shows that not only did the British viewed India as an occupied country but their actions also had a strong personal gain motivation.
Upon taking control of Gilgit and Chitral, the new Pakistani government chose to promote rankers into officers after Chillas and Gilgit as a reward for joining Pakistan. Shows why the Army became filled with a bunch of undeserving officers who were promoted due to their patriotism, not on merit. This practice became a tradition in the Pakistan Army which has endured to this day and introduced some very dubious characters over its history.
The book needs some serious editing in order to make it more easier to follow. But there is a story being told here which not surprisingly isn't very well quoted in the Pakistani history.
One reason why zemindars were preferred by the British was that of their leadership ability, they could control a platoon much better than any peasant officer who struggled to maintain order over men of his own status.
The clear difference between British colonization and Pakistani hold of East Pakistan is the absolute effort spent by the British commander to keep the unity of the Scout institution intact, even if it meant disregarding the orders of their superiors. In stark contrast, the Pakistani army actively disbanded their Bengali compatriots during the 1971 disturbances while at the same time appealing to the Bengalis in the name of common religion Islam.
Not only did the colonized but the occupier were also stickler of the rule of law. So the idea of Pakistan appealed to the great British habit of justice. Pakistan was allowed because British never saw Muslims getting fair treatment by Hindus. You get a glimpse of the great pride with which Maj Brown Reading took representing the Raj as judge, passing out judgments in remote areas.
In the end, the clearly rebellious major behaved in line with the great British tradition of applying British policy loosely, as they saw fit because he knew his actions would be judged on the result. It is also interesting to note that his compatriots fully expected him to help himself to 'lut mal' looted property, which clearly shows that not only did the British viewed India as an occupied country but their actions also had a strong personal gain motivation.
Upon taking control of Gilgit and Chitral, the new Pakistani government chose to promote rankers into officers after Chillas and Gilgit as a reward for joining Pakistan. Shows why the Army became filled with a bunch of undeserving officers who were promoted due to their patriotism, not on merit. This practice became a tradition in the Pakistan Army which has endured to this day and introduced some very dubious characters over its history.
The book needs some serious editing in order to make it more easier to follow. But there is a story being told here which not surprisingly isn't very well quoted in the Pakistani history.
October 18, 2019
History & The North
Enjoyed William Brown's account of those fluid days of Partition. Had it not been for officers like them, we would be a poorer country.
Now when the North beckons, we know at what cost we kept it...
Enjoyed William Brown's account of those fluid days of Partition. Had it not been for officers like them, we would be a poorer country.
Now when the North beckons, we know at what cost we kept it...
October 12, 2023
Major Brown has narrated the events around Gilgit Independence movement from his own angle only. He doesn't give proper recognition to anyone else who played a part in that movement including Colonel Mirza Hassan (leader of revolution), Shah Rais Khan (President of self proclaimed United States of Gilgit), Mohammed Alam (first Political Agent from Pakistan), Babar ( Subedar Major during the revolt), the Muslim soldiers of Kashmir State Forces stationed at Bunji and many others who played a key part in success of the revolution. He seems to assert that the idea of freedom of Gilgit Agency was solely his and his alone. Evidently, this points out how Britishers used to be during those days; thinking that local Indians are fools and can be subjugated according to Britishers' will. How secluded they used to be! He however, is effusive of Britishers who served there during his time, be it his seniors or juniors which is understandable. Not one of his British compatriot has been ridiculed in any mayyer whatsoever.
The book covers independence of Gilgit, Hunza, Nagar, Yasin, Koh e Ghizr (Gupis), Puniyal, Ishkomen, Chilas, Darel and Tangir as these were the areas taken back from Maharaja of Kashmir in 1935 by British Government in order to create a buffer between India and USSR at that moment.
Events covering Independence of remaining areas of present Gilgit-Baltistan, ie Rondu, Skardu, Kharmang, Shigar, Astore and Ghanche have not been covered, highlighting the fact that these aras were gained after Major Brown had been summoned back.
Apart fro events covering the Rebellion, the author has described his various adventures during his stay in the region. The amount of travel he has done is astounding. One gains an insight of different valleys and passes he travelled.
The book covers independence of Gilgit, Hunza, Nagar, Yasin, Koh e Ghizr (Gupis), Puniyal, Ishkomen, Chilas, Darel and Tangir as these were the areas taken back from Maharaja of Kashmir in 1935 by British Government in order to create a buffer between India and USSR at that moment.
Events covering Independence of remaining areas of present Gilgit-Baltistan, ie Rondu, Skardu, Kharmang, Shigar, Astore and Ghanche have not been covered, highlighting the fact that these aras were gained after Major Brown had been summoned back.
Apart fro events covering the Rebellion, the author has described his various adventures during his stay in the region. The amount of travel he has done is astounding. One gains an insight of different valleys and passes he travelled.
February 15, 2024
Acting Major William Brown was one of the last British/Scottish scoundrel employed by the Maharaja of J&K as a political agent to Gilgit Agency on the eve of India’s Independence. This 25-year-old acting major in the second year of his service decided to steal away a chunk of land as big as Scotland, and gift it to Pakistan in lieu of cash, medal and other sundry benefits.
His memoirs are in stark contrast to what the British Government claims at the UN of his/their involvement in the whole Kashmir affair of him being an unwilling participant to one who planned everything, forged documents and killed civilians as “all is fair in war”.
His colonial hate for Indians/Hindus is so apparent in his choice of words and the glee he feels when seeing the dead body of a cowardly but able pandit eaten by dogs. All the Indians he meets are the lowest of the low, and a Brigadier of 40 years of service is nothing compared to his all-encompassing wisdom and attributes.
He ambushes patrols after forging documents and marks his fellow terrorists as Bravehearts, lets the body of Hindu/Sikh soldiers to rot or feeds them to stray dogs and vultures or maybe throws them in the Indus River after stripping them of all worldly possessions.
It is hard to see this man as only a racist or a coward or an entitled European or a mutineer, when in fact he is all of them.
His memoirs are in stark contrast to what the British Government claims at the UN of his/their involvement in the whole Kashmir affair of him being an unwilling participant to one who planned everything, forged documents and killed civilians as “all is fair in war”.
His colonial hate for Indians/Hindus is so apparent in his choice of words and the glee he feels when seeing the dead body of a cowardly but able pandit eaten by dogs. All the Indians he meets are the lowest of the low, and a Brigadier of 40 years of service is nothing compared to his all-encompassing wisdom and attributes.
He ambushes patrols after forging documents and marks his fellow terrorists as Bravehearts, lets the body of Hindu/Sikh soldiers to rot or feeds them to stray dogs and vultures or maybe throws them in the Indus River after stripping them of all worldly possessions.
It is hard to see this man as only a racist or a coward or an entitled European or a mutineer, when in fact he is all of them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2021
I always wondered why did India stop capturing Gilgit and the rest of the now Pakistan occupied Kashmir when the momentum was with the Indian Army during 1947-48. Over the years reading and listening to numerous narratives I realised that there is more to it than what actually meets the eye and then I came across this book and it actually put things in perspective. The games played behind the scenes by the powers who wanted to control the destinies of newly independent countries so as to have a firm grip on future events while also preserving their power and influence disguised as statecraft is actually very revealing. This book actually captures the exploits of Maj Brown who as a dutiful soldier carries out his assigned task diligently and meticulously sometimes displaying a fanatical streak in his personality. But like other personalities of the erstwhile Raj who almost romanticised exploits in far off desolate lands with no support from Queen or country these unsung "Heroes for some" actually achieved the impossible and delivered whatever they were asked to do with guile ,ingenuity and bribes. This was nothing new nor was it the last time but for the author to craft the exploits concisely but also continuously keeping the reader engaged is a remarkable feat. The author through the protagonist does expose the biased understanding of the British vis a vis local customs and beliefs but this in actuality was how the Colonial Powers read things and are still doing as demonstrated in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Overall this is actually a very informative book on anybody interested in the last days of the Raj so as to enable a better understanding of the sub continent to what it has evolved to today.
July 21, 2021
An extraordinary account of a rather unknown chapter of history.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews