The Humble Hero

Indian soldiers atop a captured Pakistani tank at Bhachbar, Rajasthan, 1971. At Independence, the Indian Army's strength was 2,80,000. It had participated in the Second World War and had considerable battle experience. The soldiers were well-trained and motivated. When the Kashmir war of 1947-48 was over, the army was left to its own devices. At the political level, it was considered a colonial relic to be tolerated; there were even debates on the necessity of having one at all. Nevertheless, by 1953 the army's strength rose to 3,50,000.

Camel corps of the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary during the 1965 war. The 1962 war was an eye-opener. After the China war, the Government took interest. Six infantry divisions were to be raised, obsolete weaponry was to be replaced.

Indian army soldiers attacking Nayachor in Sindh, Pakistan, during the 1971 war. One cannot find a better body of men anywhere in this world than the soldiers who comprise the Indian Army. If you lead, they will follow.

Indian troops train for the war with China, 1962.