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1971: Charge of the Gorkhas and Other Stories
On the fiftieth anniversary of the 1971 Indo-Pak war, revisit its battlefields through stories of bravehearts from the army, navy and air force who fought for a cause that meant more to them than their own lives
Why do the Gorkha soldiers of 4/5 GR attack a heavily defended enemy post with just naked khukris in their hands?
Does Pakistan find out the real identity of the young pilot who, after having ejected from a burning plane, calls himself Flt Lt Mansoor Ali Khan?
What awaits the naval diver who cuts made-in-India labels off his clothes and crosses into East Pakistan with a machine gun slung across his back?
Why is a twenty-one-year-old Sikh paratrooper being taught to jump off a stool in a deserted hangar at Dum Dum airport with a Packet aircraft waiting nearby?
1971 is a deeply researched collection of true stories of extraordinary human grit and courage that shows you a side to war that few military histories do.
Why do the Gorkha soldiers of 4/5 GR attack a heavily defended enemy post with just naked khukris in their hands?
Does Pakistan find out the real identity of the young pilot who, after having ejected from a burning plane, calls himself Flt Lt Mansoor Ali Khan?
What awaits the naval diver who cuts made-in-India labels off his clothes and crosses into East Pakistan with a machine gun slung across his back?
Why is a twenty-one-year-old Sikh paratrooper being taught to jump off a stool in a deserted hangar at Dum Dum airport with a Packet aircraft waiting nearby?
1971 is a deeply researched collection of true stories of extraordinary human grit and courage that shows you a side to war that few military histories do.
- GenresNonfiction
200 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2022
7 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 18, 2022
"In these pages you will find stories of phenomenal courage, but you will also meet men who felt terrible fear, regret and trauma.....
For me, they were heroes too"
- By Rachna Bisht Rawat
Single paragraph that completely summarises hearts of every Indian citizen who felt proud of our unsung heros in countless battles
For me, they were heroes too"
- By Rachna Bisht Rawat
Single paragraph that completely summarises hearts of every Indian citizen who felt proud of our unsung heros in countless battles
February 15, 2022
Omg! Grim tales when narrated by the soldiers themselves end on a happy note.
May 1, 2022
Books written on wars don't qualify for a review. They hum tales of the forces fighting for the nation. I have read a couple of books on the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Every time, I read about the war where soldiers lost their lives and I felt we don't recognize their sacrifices enough as a nation. The author has written about 10 books on the Indian Defence Forces. Every book spoke volumes about the unsung heroes of the country.
"Soldiers don't die on battlefields, soldiers die when an ungrateful Nation forgets their sacrifice"
There were many soldiers who never returned back from the war front. The author interviewed their comrades and their families. I am not sure how gut-wrenching it was to describe the war after four decades. But I am sure that it brought tears to the eyes for the loss of loved ones. I cannot forget the way, the author described the story of Flight Lieutenant Vijay Vasant Tambay. A beautiful rendition where an officer's wife described her day at home romantically.
Her response to his 'Aaj tumne ghar mein kya kiya?' has always been 'Intezaar!'
I agree with the author that - 'Remembrance is all that we can offer them in return for what they did.'
Even after four decades, the war memories haunt many soldiers who survived. We must honor the sacrifices of our soldiers yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
"Soldiers don't die on battlefields, soldiers die when an ungrateful Nation forgets their sacrifice"
There were many soldiers who never returned back from the war front. The author interviewed their comrades and their families. I am not sure how gut-wrenching it was to describe the war after four decades. But I am sure that it brought tears to the eyes for the loss of loved ones. I cannot forget the way, the author described the story of Flight Lieutenant Vijay Vasant Tambay. A beautiful rendition where an officer's wife described her day at home romantically.
Her response to his 'Aaj tumne ghar mein kya kiya?' has always been 'Intezaar!'
I agree with the author that - 'Remembrance is all that we can offer them in return for what they did.'
Even after four decades, the war memories haunt many soldiers who survived. We must honor the sacrifices of our soldiers yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
January 21, 2022
Rachna Rawat has brought to life once again the pain, the glory, the determination, the grit, the toil and the spirit behind these men in uniform. Most of us are completely unaware of the stories behind the acts of valour. These men, be it Chiman Singh, Albert Ekka, Arun Khetrapal or others; they have exhibited a rare streak of bravery. These stories are so uplifting and inspiring. They gave so much for so little. Truly, a soldier dies not on the battlefield but when he is forgotten by those he gave up his life for. Rachna Rawat has, through her talent for writing, ensured that these men and women live on for ever.
June 22, 2023
Three stories in this have a very weird feeling. Second story, sixth story and the last story.
Second story is of jawahar lal bhargava. Now if anyone who knows anything about pyare chicha jawahar lal nehru can predict how his story went. Just by sheer imagination based on them sharing their names. He was captured by Pakistan in 1971 war and they treated him like their son in law, he had absolutely no complaints, reading his story felt like Pakistani army is so civilised. Ofc jawahar stood by his name. And there is more
"Not having any idea how the greeting is returned, Bhargava takes a deep breath and—with a fleeting remembrance of the times he has spent playing with the nawab of Pataudi when they were both kids (Bhargava’s father was employed as the nizam of Pataudi) and even later (when he and Tiger played a Ranji Trophy match for opposing teams)—
If one can predict anything based on a theory and if that prediction turns out to be true, then it's highly likely that the theory is correct. Either he co-operated with them and they treated him well and later released him (when the first story is about another pilot who was never released and died in Pakistan) or his story is made up. He won't tell what happened because can't say bad things about muslims.
Sixth story is about a Sikh soldier who intentionally let a Pakistani soldier go and later he came to thank the Sikh soldier along with his family with a box of sweets. And his wife did sajda to him. Mtlb ye chl kya rha h mtlb? Baki Jo soldiers Mr rhe hain wo chutiye hain? Idhar to pura pariwarik mahaul h. Either this again is a made up story, if not, that soldier should have been punished for intentionally letting him go.
And the last story,
It is going to be first light soon. He can tell even before he notices the faint orange glow in the eastern sky. He is an Adivasi and these things come instinctively to him.
Lance Naik Albert Ekka was the son of Julius and Mariam Ekka. (((He came from an Adivasi tribe in Ranchi and was a devout Christian)))
Adivasi devout Christian. We are at war on so many fronts that we don't even have the time to count them.
Second story is of jawahar lal bhargava. Now if anyone who knows anything about pyare chicha jawahar lal nehru can predict how his story went. Just by sheer imagination based on them sharing their names. He was captured by Pakistan in 1971 war and they treated him like their son in law, he had absolutely no complaints, reading his story felt like Pakistani army is so civilised. Ofc jawahar stood by his name. And there is more
"Not having any idea how the greeting is returned, Bhargava takes a deep breath and—with a fleeting remembrance of the times he has spent playing with the nawab of Pataudi when they were both kids (Bhargava’s father was employed as the nizam of Pataudi) and even later (when he and Tiger played a Ranji Trophy match for opposing teams)—
If one can predict anything based on a theory and if that prediction turns out to be true, then it's highly likely that the theory is correct. Either he co-operated with them and they treated him well and later released him (when the first story is about another pilot who was never released and died in Pakistan) or his story is made up. He won't tell what happened because can't say bad things about muslims.
Sixth story is about a Sikh soldier who intentionally let a Pakistani soldier go and later he came to thank the Sikh soldier along with his family with a box of sweets. And his wife did sajda to him. Mtlb ye chl kya rha h mtlb? Baki Jo soldiers Mr rhe hain wo chutiye hain? Idhar to pura pariwarik mahaul h. Either this again is a made up story, if not, that soldier should have been punished for intentionally letting him go.
And the last story,
It is going to be first light soon. He can tell even before he notices the faint orange glow in the eastern sky. He is an Adivasi and these things come instinctively to him.
Lance Naik Albert Ekka was the son of Julius and Mariam Ekka. (((He came from an Adivasi tribe in Ranchi and was a devout Christian)))
Adivasi devout Christian. We are at war on so many fronts that we don't even have the time to count them.
June 7, 2025
Rachna Bisht Rawat masterfully brings to life stories that echo with the courage, sacrifice, and indomitable spirit of the Indian armed forces. These are not just tales of war—they are powerful reminders of what countless men have endured to safeguard the very idea of India.
At a time when internal and external forces seem determined to undermine the nation for profit or power, this book stands as a quiet but firm act of resistance. It holds up a mirror to today’s generation, urging them to remember, respect, and uphold the legacy that so many fought to preserve.
At a time when internal and external forces seem determined to undermine the nation for profit or power, this book stands as a quiet but firm act of resistance. It holds up a mirror to today’s generation, urging them to remember, respect, and uphold the legacy that so many fought to preserve.
January 10, 2022
Soldiers dont die on battlefields, soldiers die when an ungrateful Nation forgets their sacrifice!!
There can not be a review. Book is a tribute and is to be treated like one!! Blessed will be you, if you could read the book. Jai Hind!!
There can not be a review. Book is a tribute and is to be treated like one!! Blessed will be you, if you could read the book. Jai Hind!!
January 20, 2022
Great piece of writing. The scenes have been described in such detail that allows you to create an easy mental image of the story.
April 26, 2022
One of the best book I read. The scenes have been described in such a manner that helps us to create a image of the story.
July 8, 2023
Amazing Book
Amazing book. Life of the Indian bravehearts from the 1971 war described nicely and in utmost detail. Will surely re read the book, as and when I feel like doing so.
Amazing book. Life of the Indian bravehearts from the 1971 war described nicely and in utmost detail. Will surely re read the book, as and when I feel like doing so.
February 5, 2024
"Because soldiers don't die on battlefields; they die only when an ungrateful nation forgets their sacrifice. Remembrance is all that we can offer for what they did."
November 4, 2024
Loved this book! Really shows the depth of wars fought by politicians for vested interests- I loved the detailed battles described and the emotions that crossed the soldiers mind.
January 8, 2022
I had not known the 1971 war like this💔💔💔💔
March 2, 2022
It is one of the better memoirs i have read... But like all memoirs, it starts getting repetitive in nature... The storytelling though, continues to be amazing right upto the end.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews