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The Battle of Rezang La
On 18 November 1962, the Charlie Company of the 13 Kumaon Battalion, Kumaon Regiment, fought a Chinese attack at Rezang La Pass in Ladakh, India. The company comprised 120 soldiers and was led by Maj. Shaitan Singh. Of these soldiers, 110 were martyred in the attack.
The Indian search party, which visited the battlefield on 10 February 1963, made a startling discovery-the frozen bodies of the men who had died were still holding guns in their hands, having taken bullets on their chests. One PVC (Param Vir Chakra), eight VCs (Vir Chakras), four SMs (Sena Medals) and one M-in-D (Mentioned-in-Dispatches) were awarded to the soldiers of the Charlie Company, making it one of the highest decorated companies of the Indian Army to this day. The valour of the Charlie Company not only successfully stopped China's advance, but it also resulted in the Chushul airport being saved, thereby preventing a possible Chinese occupation of the entire Ladakh region in 1962. According to reports, a total of 1300 Chinese soldiers were killed trying to capture Rezang La. The Charlie Company was an all-Ahir company, and most of the soldiers who fought the battle at 18,000 feet came from the plains of Haryana. The Battle of Rezang La is their story.
The Indian search party, which visited the battlefield on 10 February 1963, made a startling discovery-the frozen bodies of the men who had died were still holding guns in their hands, having taken bullets on their chests. One PVC (Param Vir Chakra), eight VCs (Vir Chakras), four SMs (Sena Medals) and one M-in-D (Mentioned-in-Dispatches) were awarded to the soldiers of the Charlie Company, making it one of the highest decorated companies of the Indian Army to this day. The valour of the Charlie Company not only successfully stopped China's advance, but it also resulted in the Chushul airport being saved, thereby preventing a possible Chinese occupation of the entire Ladakh region in 1962. According to reports, a total of 1300 Chinese soldiers were killed trying to capture Rezang La. The Charlie Company was an all-Ahir company, and most of the soldiers who fought the battle at 18,000 feet came from the plains of Haryana. The Battle of Rezang La is their story.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 20, 2021
21 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
About the author
Kulpreet Yadav
23 books240 followersOne of the leading fiction writers in India, Kulpreet Yadav retired voluntarily from the armed forces to pursue a career in writing in 2014. Also a motivational speaker now, he has spoken at more than two hundred schools, colleges, and global corporate brands during the last four years. Popular for his Andy Karan series, his new spy novel, Murder in Paharganj, was published by Bloomsbury India in Oct 2017. Kulpreet lives in Delhi with his wife and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 18, 2021
I read this book in one sitting , absolutely unputdownable and heart wrenching .
It got me teary eyed so many times , reading the recount of what happened that fateful day , on 18th Nov 1962 and how 110 soldiers out of 120 laid down their lives , protecting the Rezang La ! Kulpreet Yadav has done a wonderful job and an extensive research and met many officials , family members of the valiant martyrs and few surviving soldiers too . He included few photos , making this book a worthwhile read . He also added snippets of motley information at the end of each chapter , quite interesting . He also mentioned , why such a fierce battle and debacle , fought with grit and valiantly , wasn’t mentioned in the textbooks or given due respect ! Something to ponder upon ! I would love to visit war memorial in Chushul someday ! A must read who wants to know what happened that fateful day !
It got me teary eyed so many times , reading the recount of what happened that fateful day , on 18th Nov 1962 and how 110 soldiers out of 120 laid down their lives , protecting the Rezang La ! Kulpreet Yadav has done a wonderful job and an extensive research and met many officials , family members of the valiant martyrs and few surviving soldiers too . He included few photos , making this book a worthwhile read . He also added snippets of motley information at the end of each chapter , quite interesting . He also mentioned , why such a fierce battle and debacle , fought with grit and valiantly , wasn’t mentioned in the textbooks or given due respect ! Something to ponder upon ! I would love to visit war memorial in Chushul someday ! A must read who wants to know what happened that fateful day !
April 24, 2022
a poignant narration of the brave stand taken by the soldiers of C company, 13 Kumaon at Rezang La during Sino India War of 1962. naman
June 11, 2023
The war of 1962 was God's own twisted & brutal nudge to wake up an otherwise sleeping giant, also called India!
To start with: Not everybody understands that the Sino-Indo war of 1962 wasn't fought on one but on multiple locations and at different times spread along the very long international border with China, starting from Ladak all the way till Arunachal Pradesh (then known as NEFA). Though the first surprise & the most brutal attack started in the NEFA, later on war broke out in other locations. Rezang La was one of those.
The book: Unlike the 1962 saga, this book is very short, crisp & focuses mainly on the preparation, the attack and its aftermath only in the Rezang La pass and around till Chushul airfield. It doesn't spend much effort on the build-up, political or military, that happened in both the countries till just a few months back. It starts from the command of deployment of 13 Kumaon Battalion and ends with the discovery of the frozen bodies of Indian soldiers, with bullet wounds but in alert positions still holding their rifles with fingers on the trigger!
The attack: As the entire company perished, it's almost impossible to correctly reconstruct what had actually happened on that fateful night of 18th Nov, 1962. The episode in Rezang La was very short but intensely intense. In a span of 6-7 hrs, the Chinese (in all 3000 in number) attacked in 7 waves, out of which the Indians (120 in number) thwarted 6 with bare minimum ammo. But in the end Charlie company of 13 Kumaon Battalion which was tasked with the protection of Rezang La, seized to exist!
It wasn't yet over as the Chinese's main target lay ahead. But the resistance - even though broken down eventually- was so much that they didn't dare to move ahead to Chushul airfield. That's how Chushul was saved.
Significance of the war in Rezang La: The importance of Rezang La was the Chushul airfield which is strategically very important for both the countries. Whoever has this airfield gets control of entire Ladakh. You can imagine the significance, as it is because of this airfield, that India thwarted the Galwan valley attacks in 2020.
The war is almost forgotten but more is the Charlie Company that defended it till the last breath. But the battle cries can still be heard echoing in Rezang La, if you happen to be there and try to listen.
In the end, Dada kishan ki Jai!
N.B.: 1962 wasn't the last war with China. There was another in 1967 which India won and which got forgotten for obvious reasons. Refer to the book Watershed 1967: India's Forgotten Victory Over China
For a details of the developments leading to 1962 & the first war in NEFA, please refer to the magnum-opus book Himalayan Blunder: The Angry Truth About India's Most Crushing Military Disaster
To start with: Not everybody understands that the Sino-Indo war of 1962 wasn't fought on one but on multiple locations and at different times spread along the very long international border with China, starting from Ladak all the way till Arunachal Pradesh (then known as NEFA). Though the first surprise & the most brutal attack started in the NEFA, later on war broke out in other locations. Rezang La was one of those.
The book: Unlike the 1962 saga, this book is very short, crisp & focuses mainly on the preparation, the attack and its aftermath only in the Rezang La pass and around till Chushul airfield. It doesn't spend much effort on the build-up, political or military, that happened in both the countries till just a few months back. It starts from the command of deployment of 13 Kumaon Battalion and ends with the discovery of the frozen bodies of Indian soldiers, with bullet wounds but in alert positions still holding their rifles with fingers on the trigger!
The attack: As the entire company perished, it's almost impossible to correctly reconstruct what had actually happened on that fateful night of 18th Nov, 1962. The episode in Rezang La was very short but intensely intense. In a span of 6-7 hrs, the Chinese (in all 3000 in number) attacked in 7 waves, out of which the Indians (120 in number) thwarted 6 with bare minimum ammo. But in the end Charlie company of 13 Kumaon Battalion which was tasked with the protection of Rezang La, seized to exist!
It wasn't yet over as the Chinese's main target lay ahead. But the resistance - even though broken down eventually- was so much that they didn't dare to move ahead to Chushul airfield. That's how Chushul was saved.
Significance of the war in Rezang La: The importance of Rezang La was the Chushul airfield which is strategically very important for both the countries. Whoever has this airfield gets control of entire Ladakh. You can imagine the significance, as it is because of this airfield, that India thwarted the Galwan valley attacks in 2020.
The war is almost forgotten but more is the Charlie Company that defended it till the last breath. But the battle cries can still be heard echoing in Rezang La, if you happen to be there and try to listen.
In the end, Dada kishan ki Jai!
N.B.: 1962 wasn't the last war with China. There was another in 1967 which India won and which got forgotten for obvious reasons. Refer to the book Watershed 1967: India's Forgotten Victory Over China
For a details of the developments leading to 1962 & the first war in NEFA, please refer to the magnum-opus book Himalayan Blunder: The Angry Truth About India's Most Crushing Military Disaster
February 13, 2022
The book definitely makes the reader's eye wet and develop a sense of hatred towards the political system at times of Indo-china war.
The book clearly describes the progress of war and has tried to describe the minds of Charlie Company at times of Battle of Rezang La.
For sure I will visit the memorial at Rezanga La to pay respects to the brave martyrs.
The book clearly describes the progress of war and has tried to describe the minds of Charlie Company at times of Battle of Rezang La.
For sure I will visit the memorial at Rezanga La to pay respects to the brave martyrs.
February 5, 2022
It's a poignant and brilliant account of how bravehearts of the Indian army defended their positions, a brilliant strategist in major Shaitan Singh.
Thankful to Kulpreet yadav for putting together this book.
Thankful to Kulpreet yadav for putting together this book.
December 31, 2021
This is a very good book about a very important battle in the history of India. Something that very few people are aware of.
The writer has done a very good job of putting together the story by collecting information from multiple sources.
Everything is described in a lot of detail. You get a very good sense of the battle situation, the terrain, the combatants and hopelessness of their situation.
The writer does a good job of explaining why this battle and the bravery of Shaitan Singh and his troops is so special.
One question remained unanswered. In the end, we read that the high command refused to believe the story of the survivors. But it’s not clear who these people are ? Because everyone in the brigade and division is aware of the company’s reputation and pays homage to their bravery.
The writer has done a very good job of putting together the story by collecting information from multiple sources.
Everything is described in a lot of detail. You get a very good sense of the battle situation, the terrain, the combatants and hopelessness of their situation.
The writer does a good job of explaining why this battle and the bravery of Shaitan Singh and his troops is so special.
One question remained unanswered. In the end, we read that the high command refused to believe the story of the survivors. But it’s not clear who these people are ? Because everyone in the brigade and division is aware of the company’s reputation and pays homage to their bravery.
August 19, 2022
The Sino-Indian war: September to November 1962
This is the story of the gallant men of the C Company of the 13 Kumaon and Ahir battalion, led by Late Major Shaitan Singh (PVC), who fought valiantly against an overwhelming number of Chinese PLA at Rezang la.
Jeet ya Veergati
The odds were against these Indian soldiers as they were hugely outnumbered, outgunned and out weathered but their courage and love for their motherland was enough to stop the Chinese from advancing further! Thereby saving Ladakh!
Even when there was a chance to retreat back and save themselves, these brave Ahirs stood their ground to the last man, last bullet defending India.
Naman to these brave warriors.
The book doesn’t talk about the political blunders and coverups surrounding the war.
3 people were mainly responsible for India’s defeat in 1962 - Jawaharlal Nehru, Krishna Menon and General Brij Mohan Kaul. To know more on this, please do read Himalayan Blunder by John.P.Dalvi . The book is translated to Kannada by Ravi Belagere.
This is the story of the gallant men of the C Company of the 13 Kumaon and Ahir battalion, led by Late Major Shaitan Singh (PVC), who fought valiantly against an overwhelming number of Chinese PLA at Rezang la.
Jeet ya Veergati
The odds were against these Indian soldiers as they were hugely outnumbered, outgunned and out weathered but their courage and love for their motherland was enough to stop the Chinese from advancing further! Thereby saving Ladakh!
Even when there was a chance to retreat back and save themselves, these brave Ahirs stood their ground to the last man, last bullet defending India.
Naman to these brave warriors.
The book doesn’t talk about the political blunders and coverups surrounding the war.
3 people were mainly responsible for India’s defeat in 1962 - Jawaharlal Nehru, Krishna Menon and General Brij Mohan Kaul. To know more on this, please do read Himalayan Blunder by John.P.Dalvi . The book is translated to Kannada by Ravi Belagere.
March 11, 2023
This book Battle of Rezang La is a significant one on the history of India's war with China in 196 One such chapter is Battle of Rezang La. This stands as a last brave attempt by the 13 Kumaon's company in oppressing the Chinese military from entering the Indian Territory.
The book through narration captures the events and the how did the search party went on for days and every minute detail and recreation of the events that have unfolded that day by 110 martyrs who rather sacrificed their lives alongside killing 1300 chinese militants.
The book through narration captures the events and the how did the search party went on for days and every minute detail and recreation of the events that have unfolded that day by 110 martyrs who rather sacrificed their lives alongside killing 1300 chinese militants.
January 23, 2022
It’s a blessing to have read thus book.
It talks of story of “last man stand” the likes of which are rarely seen.
This is the story of Charlie company of 13th Kumaon battalion. The task was to protect the Rezang La pass from an expected Chinese attack. The company was outgunned out weathered and ill equipped from start. All that it had was exemplary leadership from company commander and the JCOs....for 120 men of Charlie that was all that was needed.
The stand out up was so stubborn and heroic that the administration rubbished the accounts of survivors. It was only after three-four months of the battle, when a shepherd reported of bodies buried in snow, that the administration got the nature furnished reports of the heroics staged by soldiers....frozen in snow with hands still gripping the rifle, syringe or mortar round.
It talks of story of “last man stand” the likes of which are rarely seen.
This is the story of Charlie company of 13th Kumaon battalion. The task was to protect the Rezang La pass from an expected Chinese attack. The company was outgunned out weathered and ill equipped from start. All that it had was exemplary leadership from company commander and the JCOs....for 120 men of Charlie that was all that was needed.
The stand out up was so stubborn and heroic that the administration rubbished the accounts of survivors. It was only after three-four months of the battle, when a shepherd reported of bodies buried in snow, that the administration got the nature furnished reports of the heroics staged by soldiers....frozen in snow with hands still gripping the rifle, syringe or mortar round.
January 23, 2022
A great read, short too since it keeps the storytelling tight and focussed. The author has forayed into a great genre of military history and has done a commendable effort in representing the events of the war of 1962. The Ahir battalion of 13 Kumaon's sacrifice will be remembered for years to come. The soil of Chushul will always immortalise the able soldiers who did so much with so little in the space of equipment, time and reinforcements.
January 23, 2022
A must read for all Indians, it brings to light the victories, heroic deeds and sacrifices of our soldiers in the service of the nation. Hidden from the public at large so as to avoid the total mishandling by the political rulers of that time, this is a book every Indian am should read and cherish.
September 16, 2023
You have to wonder just what is wrong with this world, when these things happen over and over and OVER again - China attacking India in 1962; China invading Vietnam in 1979; the U.S. invading Iraq in 2003; Russia invading Ukraine today; China poised to invade Taiwan tomorrow…
And sure, India and Pakistan aren't blameless - there was the brutal, fraternal savagery of Partition, and then Pakistan's own civil war (aka the Bangladesh Liberation War). And of course the U.S. isn't blameless either, with its wars in Vietnam and Iraq, and too-long war in Afghanistan...as well as whatever the future holds for our own increasingly-fractured country.*
And so while The Battle of Rezang La is an equally heartbreaking and inspiring story of courage, loyalty and comradeship under the most severe conditions - extreme high altitude and constant sub-zero temperatures - that certainly deserves more recognition (as of course does the battle itself)…there is just SO. MUCH. COMPETITION. You can easily fill a whole bookcase with stories of "last stand" battles in Vietnam (from both sides), the Pacific, the Middle East, the Khyber Pass, and those still to come shortly from Ukraine and elsewhere.
So...anyway, excellent book, and many thanks to my GR friend Payal for the recommendation. My only criticism is that this was obviously written for a mainly Indian audience, and so a lot was taken for granted here that might be confusing to ignorant firangi like myself. Thank God for Google, or I'd never know what an Angola shirt was, or the difference between a Kumaon and an Ahir battalion, or many other things. But even then, I would have really benefited from a larger glossary that included translations of the many Indian slogans and battle cries, as well as an explanation of the Indian military ranks (Havildar, Naib Subedar, Naik [I think those are different], Sepoy, etc).** And - though no one's fault but my own - I found the names confusing, especially with so many Singhs and Rams scattered through A, B, C and D Companies.
Solid recommend for history/war story buffs, especially those with an interest in South Asia and the Himalaya.
___________________________________
* I'm pessimistically starting to wonder if the U.S. is heading towards its own "partition," with a liberal Northeast and West Coast playing the roles of East and West Pakistan, separated by a larger conservative South and Midwest filling in for India.
** The book does include a brief glossary, but it is aimed more at (I'm assuming) Indians with limited military or geographic knowledge, and so focuses on terms like battalion, drop zone, knoll, mortar, tree line, etc., which I would have thought most folks were already familiar with.
And sure, India and Pakistan aren't blameless - there was the brutal, fraternal savagery of Partition, and then Pakistan's own civil war (aka the Bangladesh Liberation War). And of course the U.S. isn't blameless either, with its wars in Vietnam and Iraq, and too-long war in Afghanistan...as well as whatever the future holds for our own increasingly-fractured country.*
And so while The Battle of Rezang La is an equally heartbreaking and inspiring story of courage, loyalty and comradeship under the most severe conditions - extreme high altitude and constant sub-zero temperatures - that certainly deserves more recognition (as of course does the battle itself)…there is just SO. MUCH. COMPETITION. You can easily fill a whole bookcase with stories of "last stand" battles in Vietnam (from both sides), the Pacific, the Middle East, the Khyber Pass, and those still to come shortly from Ukraine and elsewhere.
So...anyway, excellent book, and many thanks to my GR friend Payal for the recommendation. My only criticism is that this was obviously written for a mainly Indian audience, and so a lot was taken for granted here that might be confusing to ignorant firangi like myself. Thank God for Google, or I'd never know what an Angola shirt was, or the difference between a Kumaon and an Ahir battalion, or many other things. But even then, I would have really benefited from a larger glossary that included translations of the many Indian slogans and battle cries, as well as an explanation of the Indian military ranks (Havildar, Naib Subedar, Naik [I think those are different], Sepoy, etc).** And - though no one's fault but my own - I found the names confusing, especially with so many Singhs and Rams scattered through A, B, C and D Companies.
Solid recommend for history/war story buffs, especially those with an interest in South Asia and the Himalaya.
___________________________________
* I'm pessimistically starting to wonder if the U.S. is heading towards its own "partition," with a liberal Northeast and West Coast playing the roles of East and West Pakistan, separated by a larger conservative South and Midwest filling in for India.
** The book does include a brief glossary, but it is aimed more at (I'm assuming) Indians with limited military or geographic knowledge, and so focuses on terms like battalion, drop zone, knoll, mortar, tree line, etc., which I would have thought most folks were already familiar with.
July 3, 2023
Book: The Battle Of Rezang La
Author: Kulpreet Yadav
Publisher: Penguin; First Edition (20 September 2021); Penguin Random House India Pvt. Ltd.
Language: English
Paperback: 208 pages
Item Weight: 210 g
Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.18 cm
Price: 264/-
'A war is the ultimate challenge that tests the human’s nerves. Men perceived as bold sometimes simply turn their tails inwards and retreat, whereas unassuming and simple men might show their true mettle in the face of the enemy fire.
When a soldier is standing in a trench, aiming his weapon and firing at the enemy in the face of incoming fire, he is actually putting into action all that he had learned. But, when an enemy’s bullet passes through the head of the soldier standing next to him, whom he had probably shared a cup of tea with a few moments before, the effect of training stops, and the human instinct embedded in the DNA takes over. Beyond this point, this soldier will stop doing what he is trained for, but instead, will be possessed by how his own raw nerve will dictate his fight or flight response...'
দৃশ্যটি কল্পনা করুন।
সমতল থেকে প্রায় ১৮ হাজার ফুট উচ্চতায় থাকা একটি অঞ্চল। তাপমাত্রা মাইনাস চব্বিশ ডিগ্রি। ব্লিজার্ড চলছে মাঝে মধ্যেই। দৃশ্যমানতা শূন্যের কাছাকাছি। ঘন কুয়াশায় ঢেকেছে চারপাশ।
১২০ জন ভারতীয় সৈন্য। কুমায়ুন রেজিমেন্টের থার্টরিন্থ ব্যাটালিয়ন। সি-কোম্পানি বা চার্লি কোম্পানি বলা হয় তাদের। ঢাল তরোয়ালহীন নিধিরাম সর্দার যেন। অস্ত্র বলতে হাতে রয়েছে সেই দ্বিতীয় বিশ্বযুদ্ধের আমলের vintage মালপত্র। ইনফ্যান্ট্রির হাতে পয়েন্ট থ্রী নট থ্রী ক্যালিবারের বোল্ট অ্যাকশান রাইফেল আর আদ্যিকালের এলএমজি, তিন ইঞ্চি মান্ধাতার আমলের মর্টার আর মাঝে মধ্যেই বিকল হয়ে পড়া কিছু sten-carbine!!
পরনের পোশাকও আধুনিক যুদ্ধের সঙ্গে সাযুজ্যপূর্ণ নয়। এমনকি মাউন্টেন ওয়ারফেয়ারের জন্য অত্যাবশ্যক impact goggles-এর মান পর্যন্ত অতি নিম্ন।
Military Combat Eye Protection বা MCEP কিন্তু তদ্দিনে বিশ্বের অন্যত্র চালু হয়ে গিয়েছে।
আর উচ্চমানের হবেই বা কেন? সেই মধ্য-পঞ্চাশে যখন জেনারেল কারিয়াপ্পা চীনের কথা মাথায় রেখে রমণীমোহন-দার্শনিক প্রধানমন্ত্রীকে আপগ্রেডেশনের কথা বলেছিলেন, তিনি উত্তর পান: "It is not the business of the Commander-in-Chief to tell the PM who is going to attack us where. In fact, the Chinese will defend our NEFA frontier. You mind only Kashmir and Pakistan."
যাই হোক। যুদ্ধক্ষেত্রে ফেরা যাক।
নভেম্বর মাসের আঠারো তারিখ। পূর্ব লাদাখের চুষুল উপত্যকায় অবস্থিত Rezang La! ১২০ জন ভারতীয় সৈনিক। তাদের কম্যান্ডিং অফিসার মেজর শয়তান সিং।
ভারতীয়রা সহসা কিছু কোঅর্ডিনেটেড মুভমেন্ট লক্ষ্য করলো Forward Assembly অঞ্চলে।
হাজারের ওপর চীনা সৈনিক ঘিরে ফেলেছে তাদের তিনদিক দিয়ে। সামরিক ভাষায় বলতে গেলে শুরু হয়ে গেলো multi-directional offence!
তিনদিক থেকে হাজারে হাজারে গুলি ও মর্টারের অবিশ্রান্ত বর্ষণ।
অসম যুদ্ধ। চৈনিকদের হাতে সেমী-অটোম্যাটিক অস্ত্র, উন্নতমানের কম্ব্যাট রেডি পোশাক। তার সংখ্যাতেও প্রায় দশগুন বেশি।
যুদ্ধের বর্ণনা রয়েছে বই জুড়ে। তা নিয়ে বাক্যব্যয় করবো না। নিজেরাই পড়ে জানুন।
শুধু কয়েকটি অংশ একটু শেয়ার করছি।
মেজর শয়তান সিংএর দেহে মোট পাঁচটি বুলেট লাগে। ডান পা আর ডান হাত প্রায় অকেজো। সেই অবস্থাতেও পোস্ট থেকে পোস্টে, বাঙ্কার থেকে বাঙ্কারে ক্রলিং পজিশনে গিয়ে গিয়ে সৈন্যদের উদ্বুদ্ধ করেছিলেন এই মরণোত্তর পরমবীর চক্রধারী মেজর।
অন্তিম গুলিটি যতক্ষণ না দাগা হয় ততক্ষন ওই ১২০ জন থামেননি।
১২০ জনের মধ্যে শহীদ হন ১১৪ জন। পাঁচজন যুদ্ধবন্দি হন। এবং একজন সৈনিককে চীনারা ঘটনার বয়ান দেওয়ার জন্য দয়া করে মুক্ত করে দে। অবশ্য যে পাঁচজনকে বন্দি করা হয়েছিল তারা প্রত্যেকেই বন্দিদশা ছিন্ন করে পালিয়ে আসতে সক্ষম হয়েছিলেন।
চীনাদের তরফে সরকারি মতে নিহতের সংখ্যা পাঁচশো। বেসরকারি মতে হাজারের ওপর।
যখন ভারতীয়দের গুলি শেষ হয়ে যায়, বেয়োনেট ও ছুরি নিয়ে শেষ নিশ্বাস পর্যন্ত যুদ্ধ চালিয়ে যান তাঁরা। সেই গানের লাইনটি মনে পড়ে ? "আজ ধরতি বনি হ্যায় দুলহন সাথীও!" লাদাখের শুভ্র বরফ কনের সাজ সেজেছিল ভারতীয় রক্তে।
যুদ্ধক্ষেত্রে দয়া মায়া মমতা প্রদর্শন করা সাধারণত চৈনিকদের স্টাইল নয়। কিন্তু ঘটনার প্রায় তিনমাস পরে, ১৯৬৩ সালের ফেব্রুয়ারি মাসের দশ তারিখ, যখন ভারতীয় সার্চ পার্টি যুদ্ধস্থলে পৌঁছয় , তারা প্রচুর ভারতীয় সৈনিকের কম্বল-ঢাকা মৃতদেহ পায়। প্রত্যেক দেহের ওপর একটি করে বন্দুক রাখা ছিল, যাতে পাহাড়ি হাওয়ায় কম্বলগুলি উড়ে না যায়। সম্মান প্রদর্শন করেছিল চীনা সৈনিকরা।
উদ্ধার করা প্রত্যেকটি ভারতীয় সৈনিকের বুকে ছিল অজস্র গুলির দাগ। পিঠে নয়। পালায়নি তারা।
এই বইয়ের ভূমিকায় বলা হয়েছে: 'To the brave soldiers of the Charlie Company, as they had often said, death was acceptable but defeat was not, and the Chinese had to stop right there. Their war machinery was sufficiently blunted by these brave Indian jawans and the Chinese must have realized that going beyond this point was not possible.
The Rezang La battle was indeed won by China, but the Indians didn’t accept defeat, and the fact that China stopped right there and declared a ceasefire on the very next day, is testimony to the fact that the soldiers of the Charlie Company indeed embraced death, but not defeat.'
ভারতীয় সেনাবাহিনীর একটি রিপোর্টের একাংশ পড়ুন পাঠক:
‘No bunker in Rezang La was found intact, corrugated iron sheets were found in bits, the ballies (wooden poles/logs used for making temporary shelters) had been reduced to matchwood sticks, and the sandbags were just shreds. But there was no sign of panic or withdrawal. Every single jawan was found dead in his trench; each had several bullets or splinter wounds, still holding their weapons; broken light machine guns/rifles bore witness to the intensity of the enemy fire. Jemadar (Naib Subedar) Hari Ram was found witha bandage on his head. He had apparently tied it in a hurry while rushing from one of his sections to another and was killed there: the body, when received, was still in crouching position,’
নেহরু ও বিদেশমন্ত্রী কৃষ্ণ মেননের কোনও ধারণাই ছিল না যে চিন সত্যি ভারতকে আক্রমণ করতে পারে! ভারতের ফরওয়ার্ড পলিসি সত্ত্বেও সমাজতন্ত্রের ‘চির-উন্নত শির’ চিনা রিপাবলিক আসলে কোনও ভাবেই সামরিক আক্রমণ চালাবে না এই ছিল নেহরুদের অটল বিশ্বাস।
অজ্ঞানতানির্ভর বিশ্বাস। নেহরু সরকারের মধুর অজ্ঞানতা, পেশাদারিত্বের অভাব, বাস্তববোধের চূড়ান্ত অনুপস্থিতি অনস্বীকার্য।
কার সঙ্গে খেলা সেটা বিন্দুমাত্র না জেনেবুঝেই মাঠে নেমে নিতান্ত বেকুব বনে যাওয়ার এই দৃষ্টান্ত সম্ভবত স্বাধীন ভারতের কূটনীতির ইতিহাসে বৃহত্তম কলঙ্ক।
অজ্ঞানতার ফলে যে বিরাট মূল্য দিতে হয়েছিল ১৯৬২ সালে, সেটার একটা দীর্ঘস্থায়ী ছাপ আছে ভারতের বিদেশ-চিন্তায়।
আর সেই জন্যই অর্ধশতক পরেও ১৯৬২ আমাদের কাছে এত প্রাসঙ্গিক।
এই ধাক্কার পর থেকেই আমাদের বিদেশনীতি ক্রমে সাবালক হতে শুরু করল, মাধুর্য ও অজ্ঞানতার জায়গায় সন্তর্পণে প্রবেশ করল কূটনৈতিক রিয়েলিজম, যে রিয়েলিজম ছাড়া রিয়েলপলিটিক অসম্ভব।
এই বইয়ের একাংশে বলা হয়েছে : 'In conclusion, there is only one thing that requires to be mentioned. What if these brave soldiers had better guns, more ammunition, adequate snow clothing, full-stomach food, artillery support and able leaders at the army headquarters and in the government? I hope you agree with me that the answer to this question is obvious...'
ভাবুন তো !! এই ১২০ জন বাঘের বাচ্চার হাতে যদি অত্যাধুনিক অস্ত্রশস্ত্র থাকতো, কী হতো তাহলে?
আজ Modi-fied ভারত অনেক আত্মপ্রত্যয়ী হয়েছে। কূটনীতিতে বিগত যুগের ভাবালুতা কাটিয়ে কড়া বাস্তববাদিতার ছাপ পড়েছে।
পাকিস্তান, মার্কিন যুক্তরাষ্ট্র, ইরান, মায়ানমার, বহু দেশের সঙ্গেই ভারতের সম্পর্কে এই নতুন বাস্তববাদিতা লক্ষ করা যায়।
এত বড় পরিবর্তন রাতারাতি ঘটে না, কিন্তু তবু যদি এর কোনও সূচনাবিন্দু খুঁজতে চাই আমরা, ১৯৬২-ই হবে প্রথম দাবিদার।
এই বই পড়ুন। এর বাংলা অনুবাদ হওয়া প্রয়োজন।
Author: Kulpreet Yadav
Publisher: Penguin; First Edition (20 September 2021); Penguin Random House India Pvt. Ltd.
Language: English
Paperback: 208 pages
Item Weight: 210 g
Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.18 cm
Price: 264/-
'A war is the ultimate challenge that tests the human’s nerves. Men perceived as bold sometimes simply turn their tails inwards and retreat, whereas unassuming and simple men might show their true mettle in the face of the enemy fire.
When a soldier is standing in a trench, aiming his weapon and firing at the enemy in the face of incoming fire, he is actually putting into action all that he had learned. But, when an enemy’s bullet passes through the head of the soldier standing next to him, whom he had probably shared a cup of tea with a few moments before, the effect of training stops, and the human instinct embedded in the DNA takes over. Beyond this point, this soldier will stop doing what he is trained for, but instead, will be possessed by how his own raw nerve will dictate his fight or flight response...'
দৃশ্যটি কল্পনা করুন।
সমতল থেকে প্রায় ১৮ হাজার ফুট উচ্চতায় থাকা একটি অঞ্চল। তাপমাত্রা মাইনাস চব্বিশ ডিগ্রি। ব্লিজার্ড চলছে মাঝে মধ্যেই। দৃশ্যমানতা শূন্যের কাছাকাছি। ঘন কুয়াশায় ঢেকেছে চারপাশ।
১২০ জন ভারতীয় সৈন্য। কুমায়ুন রেজিমেন্টের থার্টরিন্থ ব্যাটালিয়ন। সি-কোম্পানি বা চার্লি কোম্পানি বলা হয় তাদের। ঢাল তরোয়ালহীন নিধিরাম সর্দার যেন। অস্ত্র বলতে হাতে রয়েছে সেই দ্বিতীয় বিশ্বযুদ্ধের আমলের vintage মালপত্র। ইনফ্যান্ট্রির হাতে পয়েন্ট থ্রী নট থ্রী ক্যালিবারের বোল্ট অ্যাকশান রাইফেল আর আদ্যিকালের এলএমজি, তিন ইঞ্চি মান্ধাতার আমলের মর্টার আর মাঝে মধ্যেই বিকল হয়ে পড়া কিছু sten-carbine!!
পরনের পোশাকও আধুনিক যুদ্ধের সঙ্গে সাযুজ্যপূর্ণ নয়। এমনকি মাউন্টেন ওয়ারফেয়ারের জন্য অত্যাবশ্যক impact goggles-এর মান পর্যন্ত অতি নিম্ন।
Military Combat Eye Protection বা MCEP কিন্তু তদ্দিনে বিশ্বের অন্যত্র চালু হয়ে গিয়েছে।
আর উচ্চমানের হবেই বা কেন? সেই মধ্য-পঞ্চাশে যখন জেনারেল কারিয়াপ্পা চীনের কথা মাথায় রেখে রমণীমোহন-দার্শনিক প্রধানমন্ত্রীকে আপগ্রেডেশনের কথা বলেছিলেন, তিনি উত্তর পান: "It is not the business of the Commander-in-Chief to tell the PM who is going to attack us where. In fact, the Chinese will defend our NEFA frontier. You mind only Kashmir and Pakistan."
যাই হোক। যুদ্ধক্ষেত্রে ফেরা যাক।
নভেম্বর মাসের আঠারো তারিখ। পূর্ব লাদাখের চুষুল উপত্যকায় অবস্থিত Rezang La! ১২০ জন ভারতীয় সৈনিক। তাদের কম্যান্ডিং অফিসার মেজর শয়তান সিং।
ভারতীয়রা সহসা কিছু কোঅর্ডিনেটেড মুভমেন্ট লক্ষ্য করলো Forward Assembly অঞ্চলে।
হাজারের ওপর চীনা সৈনিক ঘিরে ফেলেছে তাদের তিনদিক দিয়ে। সামরিক ভাষায় বলতে গেলে শুরু হয়ে গেলো multi-directional offence!
তিনদিক থেকে হাজারে হাজারে গুলি ও মর্টারের অবিশ্রান্ত বর্ষণ।
অসম যুদ্ধ। চৈনিকদের হাতে সেমী-অটোম্যাটিক অস্ত্র, উন্নতমানের কম্ব্যাট রেডি পোশাক। তার সংখ্যাতেও প্রায় দশগুন বেশি।
যুদ্ধের বর্ণনা রয়েছে বই জুড়ে। তা নিয়ে বাক্যব্যয় করবো না। নিজেরাই পড়ে জানুন।
শুধু কয়েকটি অংশ একটু শেয়ার করছি।
মেজর শয়তান সিংএর দেহে মোট পাঁচটি বুলেট লাগে। ডান পা আর ডান হাত প্রায় অকেজো। সেই অবস্থাতেও পোস্ট থেকে পোস্টে, বাঙ্কার থেকে বাঙ্কারে ক্রলিং পজিশনে গিয়ে গিয়ে সৈন্যদের উদ্বুদ্ধ করেছিলেন এই মরণোত্তর পরমবীর চক্রধারী মেজর।
অন্তিম গুলিটি যতক্ষণ না দাগা হয় ততক্ষন ওই ১২০ জন থামেননি।
১২০ জনের মধ্যে শহীদ হন ১১৪ জন। পাঁচজন যুদ্ধবন্দি হন। এবং একজন সৈনিককে চীনারা ঘটনার বয়ান দেওয়ার জন্য দয়া করে মুক্ত করে দে। অবশ্য যে পাঁচজনকে বন্দি করা হয়েছিল তারা প্রত্যেকেই বন্দিদশা ছিন্ন করে পালিয়ে আসতে সক্ষম হয়েছিলেন।
চীনাদের তরফে সরকারি মতে নিহতের সংখ্যা পাঁচশো। বেসরকারি মতে হাজারের ওপর।
যখন ভারতীয়দের গুলি শেষ হয়ে যায়, বেয়োনেট ও ছুরি নিয়ে শেষ নিশ্বাস পর্যন্ত যুদ্ধ চালিয়ে যান তাঁরা। সেই গানের লাইনটি মনে পড়ে ? "আজ ধরতি বনি হ্যায় দুলহন সাথীও!" লাদাখের শুভ্র বরফ কনের সাজ সেজেছিল ভারতীয় রক্তে।
যুদ্ধক্ষেত্রে দয়া মায়া মমতা প্রদর্শন করা সাধারণত চৈনিকদের স্টাইল নয়। কিন্তু ঘটনার প্রায় তিনমাস পরে, ১৯৬৩ সালের ফেব্রুয়ারি মাসের দশ তারিখ, যখন ভারতীয় সার্চ পার্টি যুদ্ধস্থলে পৌঁছয় , তারা প্রচুর ভারতীয় সৈনিকের কম্বল-ঢাকা মৃতদেহ পায়। প্রত্যেক দেহের ওপর একটি করে বন্দুক রাখা ছিল, যাতে পাহাড়ি হাওয়ায় কম্বলগুলি উড়ে না যায়। সম্মান প্রদর্শন করেছিল চীনা সৈনিকরা।
উদ্ধার করা প্রত্যেকটি ভারতীয় সৈনিকের বুকে ছিল অজস্র গুলির দাগ। পিঠে নয়। পালায়নি তারা।
এই বইয়ের ভূমিকায় বলা হয়েছে: 'To the brave soldiers of the Charlie Company, as they had often said, death was acceptable but defeat was not, and the Chinese had to stop right there. Their war machinery was sufficiently blunted by these brave Indian jawans and the Chinese must have realized that going beyond this point was not possible.
The Rezang La battle was indeed won by China, but the Indians didn’t accept defeat, and the fact that China stopped right there and declared a ceasefire on the very next day, is testimony to the fact that the soldiers of the Charlie Company indeed embraced death, but not defeat.'
ভারতীয় সেনাবাহিনীর একটি রিপোর্টের একাংশ পড়ুন পাঠক:
‘No bunker in Rezang La was found intact, corrugated iron sheets were found in bits, the ballies (wooden poles/logs used for making temporary shelters) had been reduced to matchwood sticks, and the sandbags were just shreds. But there was no sign of panic or withdrawal. Every single jawan was found dead in his trench; each had several bullets or splinter wounds, still holding their weapons; broken light machine guns/rifles bore witness to the intensity of the enemy fire. Jemadar (Naib Subedar) Hari Ram was found witha bandage on his head. He had apparently tied it in a hurry while rushing from one of his sections to another and was killed there: the body, when received, was still in crouching position,’
নেহরু ও বিদেশমন্ত্রী কৃষ্ণ মেননের কোনও ধারণাই ছিল না যে চিন সত্যি ভারতকে আক্রমণ করতে পারে! ভারতের ফরওয়ার্ড পলিসি সত্ত্বেও সমাজতন্ত্রের ‘চির-উন্নত শির’ চিনা রিপাবলিক আসলে কোনও ভাবেই সামরিক আক্রমণ চালাবে না এই ছিল নেহরুদের অটল বিশ্বাস।
অজ্ঞানতানির্ভর বিশ্বাস। নেহরু সরকারের মধুর অজ্ঞানতা, পেশাদারিত্বের অভাব, বাস্তববোধের চূড়ান্ত অনুপস্থিতি অনস্বীকার্য।
কার সঙ্গে খেলা সেটা বিন্দুমাত্র না জেনেবুঝেই মাঠে নেমে নিতান্ত বেকুব বনে যাওয়ার এই দৃষ্টান্ত সম্ভবত স্বাধীন ভারতের কূটনীতির ইতিহাসে বৃহত্তম কলঙ্ক।
অজ্ঞানতার ফলে যে বিরাট মূল্য দিতে হয়েছিল ১৯৬২ সালে, সেটার একটা দীর্ঘস্থায়ী ছাপ আছে ভারতের বিদেশ-চিন্তায়।
আর সেই জন্যই অর্ধশতক পরেও ১৯৬২ আমাদের কাছে এত প্রাসঙ্গিক।
এই ধাক্কার পর থেকেই আমাদের বিদেশনীতি ক্রমে সাবালক হতে শুরু করল, মাধুর্য ও অজ্ঞানতার জায়গায় সন্তর্পণে প্রবেশ করল কূটনৈতিক রিয়েলিজম, যে রিয়েলিজম ছাড়া রিয়েলপলিটিক অসম্ভব।
এই বইয়ের একাংশে বলা হয়েছে : 'In conclusion, there is only one thing that requires to be mentioned. What if these brave soldiers had better guns, more ammunition, adequate snow clothing, full-stomach food, artillery support and able leaders at the army headquarters and in the government? I hope you agree with me that the answer to this question is obvious...'
ভাবুন তো !! এই ১২০ জন বাঘের বাচ্চার হাতে যদি অত্যাধুনিক অস্ত্রশস্ত্র থাকতো, কী হতো তাহলে?
আজ Modi-fied ভারত অনেক আত্মপ্রত্যয়ী হয়েছে। কূটনীতিতে বিগত যুগের ভাবালুতা কাটিয়ে কড়া বাস্তববাদিতার ছাপ পড়েছে।
পাকিস্তান, মার্কিন যুক্তরাষ্ট্র, ইরান, মায়ানমার, বহু দেশের সঙ্গেই ভারতের সম্পর্কে এই নতুন বাস্তববাদিতা লক্ষ করা যায়।
এত বড় পরিবর্তন রাতারাতি ঘটে না, কিন্তু তবু যদি এর কোনও সূচনাবিন্দু খুঁজতে চাই আমরা, ১৯৬২-ই হবে প্রথম দাবিদার।
এই বই পড়ুন। এর বাংলা অনুবাদ হওয়া প্রয়োজন।
October 21, 2021
The Battle of Rezang La is based on the Charlie company of the 13 Kumaon Battalion Kumaon Regiment, which fought a Chinese attack at Rezang La Pass in Ladakh, India. The company comprised 120 soldiers and was led by Maj. Shaitan Singh. And 110 soldiers were martyred in the attack. The book is written by Kulpreet Yadav and has some very interesting details of the great mission, the bravery and the leadership instances. It also has some pictures which added a lot of interest and real-life effect to the book.
I really loved the narration, which took me deeper into the war place and dialogues are so well framed as if one is watching the movie. Reading the book I realised how difficult and unstable the life of soldiers are, the book brings the true essence of valour, pain, strength. Also, the fact that the author collected so many relevant details from the survivors or their families makes it more beautiful to read.
I would recommend this book to all the people who love reading non-fiction, real-life stories.
October 4, 2021
The author @kulpreet_yadav has done an amazing job of putting forward facts as they occurred. There are no frills , no unnecessary drama, no over the top dialogues...just crisp and factual narration, the way this genre demands.
What I enjoyed the most were the small notes wherever deemed necessary.
A war that was fought more with warrior spirits than the dwindling ammunition. A true testimony of the spirit imbibed into every soldier in the country.
What I would have loved... was a more in detail write up about the legend, Major Shaitan Singh PVC. Also of great help is the glossary for people who are not familiar with the military parlance and terminology.
In all, a highly recommended read. I wish the author all the best.
What I enjoyed the most were the small notes wherever deemed necessary.
A war that was fought more with warrior spirits than the dwindling ammunition. A true testimony of the spirit imbibed into every soldier in the country.
What I would have loved... was a more in detail write up about the legend, Major Shaitan Singh PVC. Also of great help is the glossary for people who are not familiar with the military parlance and terminology.
In all, a highly recommended read. I wish the author all the best.
December 26, 2021
This battle and the story of Jawans was tearing me up and I realize how much do we owe all the soldiers our freedom.
Jai Hind!
Jai Hind!
September 18, 2022
Riveting ...The book is very very absorbing ..it was like as if written for a movie script , though events covered the battle of 1962 .
The writer has fluid pen no doubt and has knitted the events quite well .
Wish the book had some graphics of the location ..of Indian positions of platoon 7, 8 & 9 and to understand the area from where the Chinese attacked in the sketches .
A photograph taken when the bodies were recovered in 1963 would have added powerfully to the narration .
The jingoism betrays the author's great collating of facts being used by political masters of the day.What seems unpardonable is writer playing to the gallery again and again by demonising Nehru .
There seems to be an agenda to vilify Nehru .
Nehru was most outstanding statesman of 1950's and early 1960 and went to the Prime Minister's Conference to London in September 1962 to keep world leaders abreast of the situation quickly developing in India's northern borders and not on a holiday .
At a review meeting in the chamber of the minister of defence on 22 September, the chief of army staff had asked specifically “whether action to evict the Chinese can be taken as soonas possible. The Chief of the Army Staff was accordingly directed to take action for the eviction of the Chinese in Kameng division of NEFA as soon as he was ready.”
As for Nehru leaving for Colombo ,quoted in the book , on October 12 ..the author again needs to have delved into the events than commenting recklessly in a book , that at times seems an article in newspapers written at behest of authorities that be .
Nehru on 12 October, while he was leaving for Colombo, said to journalists at the airport that he had issued instructions to the army to clear the Indian territory of Chinese intrusions, and the date for it had been left to the army to decide.
As for Brig. Palit all know his regret at not becoming Chief of Staff and poured venom in his book that he wrote .
It was Nehru's diplomacy that ensured Soviet Union assisting us against their fellow Communist giant China with arms but for which it would have been a different story .It is interesting that 1962 war also saw Americans and British providing us with arms -though world events changed their focus on Cuba away from India .
1962 was , in my opinion , a failure of the I&B rather than Nehru ( who is the favourite punching bag of present politicians ruling the nation) that failed to forewarn the nation of impending crises that befell the nation .
The writer has fluid pen no doubt and has knitted the events quite well .
Wish the book had some graphics of the location ..of Indian positions of platoon 7, 8 & 9 and to understand the area from where the Chinese attacked in the sketches .
A photograph taken when the bodies were recovered in 1963 would have added powerfully to the narration .
The jingoism betrays the author's great collating of facts being used by political masters of the day.What seems unpardonable is writer playing to the gallery again and again by demonising Nehru .
There seems to be an agenda to vilify Nehru .
Nehru was most outstanding statesman of 1950's and early 1960 and went to the Prime Minister's Conference to London in September 1962 to keep world leaders abreast of the situation quickly developing in India's northern borders and not on a holiday .
At a review meeting in the chamber of the minister of defence on 22 September, the chief of army staff had asked specifically “whether action to evict the Chinese can be taken as soonas possible. The Chief of the Army Staff was accordingly directed to take action for the eviction of the Chinese in Kameng division of NEFA as soon as he was ready.”
As for Nehru leaving for Colombo ,quoted in the book , on October 12 ..the author again needs to have delved into the events than commenting recklessly in a book , that at times seems an article in newspapers written at behest of authorities that be .
Nehru on 12 October, while he was leaving for Colombo, said to journalists at the airport that he had issued instructions to the army to clear the Indian territory of Chinese intrusions, and the date for it had been left to the army to decide.
As for Brig. Palit all know his regret at not becoming Chief of Staff and poured venom in his book that he wrote .
It was Nehru's diplomacy that ensured Soviet Union assisting us against their fellow Communist giant China with arms but for which it would have been a different story .It is interesting that 1962 war also saw Americans and British providing us with arms -though world events changed their focus on Cuba away from India .
1962 was , in my opinion , a failure of the I&B rather than Nehru ( who is the favourite punching bag of present politicians ruling the nation) that failed to forewarn the nation of impending crises that befell the nation .
April 23, 2022
Death was acceptable but defeat was not. Reading about these brave soldiers of the Charlie Company did not only made me want to utilise my freedom with care but also made me feel proud of being an Indian. I have rarely read about battles and ammunition’s but I love reading about the true warfare and so I decided to read this book. I never knew about the India China war in 1962 but because of this book I was able to capture the moments and even know the hurdles and struggles of our Indian army that stand at the border protecting us while we are at our home peacefully living our lives the way we want too.
Knowing that our 123 Indian soldiers had killed 1300 Chinese soldiers and that out of 123 total 110 Indian soldiers were martyred and were found in the same position in the cold after three months brought me goosebumps. The one thing which helped me imagine the battle scene more clearly was because of the movie Lakshya and I think a movie on this subject can also become a very intriguing one. I am happy that the Author has even included some pictures because that makes the reading experience more real and makes a reader more connected to this battle which the Indian army faught with valour.
I think every Indian should know about this battle and how the government too had its own mistakes because of which these soldiers were short on ammunition, cold clothes and food but yet they did not give up, they fought till last bullet, till last breathe to defeat every Chinese soldier that came.
Knowing that our 123 Indian soldiers had killed 1300 Chinese soldiers and that out of 123 total 110 Indian soldiers were martyred and were found in the same position in the cold after three months brought me goosebumps. The one thing which helped me imagine the battle scene more clearly was because of the movie Lakshya and I think a movie on this subject can also become a very intriguing one. I am happy that the Author has even included some pictures because that makes the reading experience more real and makes a reader more connected to this battle which the Indian army faught with valour.
I think every Indian should know about this battle and how the government too had its own mistakes because of which these soldiers were short on ammunition, cold clothes and food but yet they did not give up, they fought till last bullet, till last breathe to defeat every Chinese soldier that came.
May 29, 2022
This is probably not the best written book, but with the content as powerful it doesn't matter. The painstaking details of the preparation for the battle as well as the actual combat against the waves of Chinese attack, that the author has laboured over, creates a vivid story that I was unable to get out of my head for a while after keeping the book down. This is a story that absolutely needs to be told, the heroes should be honoured and the implications of what policy makers do should be remembered. Ahirs of the 13 Kumaon take a 'fight till last man standing and last bullet available' stance, which in light of the infrastructure they are provided with to do the same is surprising. The show of valour and loyalty like no other is something that is bewildering- what pushes ordinary human beings to rise to such an extra-ordinary stature. A fantastic, enthralling read for those who love reading military history and for those who haven't as yet.
September 26, 2023
Unputdownable read. Infuriates me to know about the apathy of the political class towards the defence needs, especially the elitist mindset of the then PM.
At the same time it fills me with pride that we were able to produce such brave sons who considered death to be a better end than defeat and didn't hesitate to clamp down at their positions knowing full well it would be their end.
Our failure to celebrate such heroes and their stories only reflects on what we are as a society when our enemies even boast by portraying their losses at our hands as victories to their own citizens. There needs to be an evolving popular culture in proudly telling our stories across disciplines to everyone around us
At the same time it fills me with pride that we were able to produce such brave sons who considered death to be a better end than defeat and didn't hesitate to clamp down at their positions knowing full well it would be their end.
Our failure to celebrate such heroes and their stories only reflects on what we are as a society when our enemies even boast by portraying their losses at our hands as victories to their own citizens. There needs to be an evolving popular culture in proudly telling our stories across disciplines to everyone around us
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2023
This book is a story of bravery, courage, true patritism and commardrie which is never spoken among soldiers and leaders. It is always there and being a soldier i can feel it too. This book neatly pictures the horrific battle of rezang la which our brave soldiers fought with true valour. A book for every budding men, women and children who want to be part of miltary must read. It is an inspiration for many.
March 24, 2025
This book is about The Battle of Rezang La, fought on November 18, 1962, during the Sino-Indian War, involved 120 Indian soldiers from the Charlie Company of the 13th Kumaon Regiment, led by Major Shaitan Singh, who fiercely defended their position against a much larger Chinese force, inflicting heavy casualties before being overwhelmed.
A Must read to understand what happened and how battle managed during those days... A well Written.
A Must read to understand what happened and how battle managed during those days... A well Written.
February 19, 2022
Heart rending and touching, this account sheds light on the extreme disadvantage Indian soldiers had when pitted against the Chinese and the only thing they probably had an upper hand was their sense of duty and patriotism… we should have more books on 62 war for the current and future generations to know what price we paid back for protecting the motherland
October 15, 2022
Short concise no unnecessary Bollywood drama, kept the technicals to minimal and people to the fore. The heart wrenching account of how Top Leadership ignored the story at first and believed it afterwards only gives the impression of state of apathy in which Indian army worked in.
July 16, 2024
Must read book. Just finished reading it. Am in awe of the raw courage and desh bhakti of our army men despite political indifference and sheer negligence bordering on dereliction of duty and deserving of court martial.
October 7, 2024
Inspirational account of the last man stand at Rezang La post by Charlie Company of 13 Kumaon regiment of the Indian Army in the war against China in November 1962. The bravery of these sons of Indian soil will forever stay as a strong reminder of the patriotism and love for the motherland. Salute 🫡
March 19, 2024
I wish this could also be made into a movie! Goosebumps throughout the 2nd half...
October 2, 2024
What resolve
Our freedom is not free... . What resolve and courage these men showed.. uff... Jai Hind ! Dada Kishan ki Jai !!
Our freedom is not free... . What resolve and courage these men showed.. uff... Jai Hind ! Dada Kishan ki Jai !!
July 8, 2025
"How can man die better than facing fearful odds, For the ashes of his fathers, and the temples of his Gods."
December 23, 2025
Well researched book, Good insight of velor and determination of soldiers.
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