Today I am writing about the incident in modern India’s history, which happened about five & half decades back and ie China’s attack of India in 1962.
India & China were great nations with a long history but could not decide how far their borders went as the nations waxed and waned at various times. China and India had two border issues.
Aksai Chin in Kashmir (Western front) — Johnson line
Arunachal Pradesh in North East India (Eastern Front) – McMahon line
Plus issue of India giving political asylum to Tibetan Leader Dalai Lama
Western Front-For China this territory was their major connection between their two main provinces Tibet and Xinjiang. The cause of war was the Johnson line that put the Ladakh area far into Xinjiang. Later Chinese & British India agreed on the more feasible line Maccartney-Mcdonalad line that put back this region in China. However the Maharaja of Kashmir still did not want to give this region and had in Kashmir’s map. PM Nehru kept this in India’s Map after Maharaja ceded to India.
However during the war India could not defend this invisible line, as India was unable to put any strong opposition in that region to defend the territory, which Chinese reclaimed and won the war on this front.
Eastern Front- On this front both India & China had a claim over the disputed land in Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim. Although geography and cultured favoured India’s claim. During the war, India held its territory and didn’t loose much. After thought it was suggested that India should have negotiated and given up Aksin Chin and while firmly ending the China’s claim on the eastern side.
As PM Nehru and Defence Minister VK Krishna Menon could never perceive attack by Chinese, as they believe in Hindi Cheeni Bhai Bhai Philosphy, and both were completely shattered when the attack by China happened. Defence Minister Menon had to resign during the war and was replaced by then Maharashtra Chief Minister Yashwant Rao Chavan.
The loosing of war with China was a major blot on Nehru’s leadership as PM of the country. Nehru was so shell shocked by this invasion by Chinese, and he could not believe that Hindi Cheeni Bhai Bhai slogan has become a kaput. He took this as betrayal by China and this thought became so strong that it started affecting his health.
When this war happened I was 13 year old, but I still remember those war days, reading stories of war in the news papers, listening the depressing news on AIR about death and casualties of Soldiers, Black out nights etc.
Although actual Chinese major attack which can be termed as war happened on 20th Oct 1962, the small exchanges were happening across border on both western & Eastern fronts from July on wards. The official cease fire happened on 19th Nov 1962. During one month of this war,it is feared that about 1350 soldiers died, 1700 went missing and about 4000 became prisoners of war(POW).
After affects of Indo China War – In Bombay during those days, on 26th Jan Republic day evening all the important buildings were illuminated. But in 1963 this practice for the 1st time was not followed, as nation was in deep mourning ,after suffering heavy defeat in war with China few months back. The talk of the day was to get the country better prepared militarily and so students were told that they would not be allowed to sit for their graduation examinations unless they underwent three years’ compulsory training in the National Cadet Corps (NCC), during their studies in college.. In the three years of training the student cadet had to compulsorily participate in two Military training camps. During 1965 to 1967, even I attended 2 years of NCC training and attended 10 days long Military training camp at Deolali (Near Nashik, in Maharashtra).In 1967 it was announced that it is not mandatory for Professional students like Engineering and Medical.
After this war with China, Govt started working on how to strengthen the army, and in the next 2 wars in 1965 and 1971 with Pakistan, it was proven that India’s armed forces can very well defend their territory and if need arises they can be in aggression mode also.
I have specifically written this blog for my younger friends who are not aware about why Indo China war happened in 1962, and its repercussion on the nation.
waiting for your comments/views/deed backs on this matter.
R. N. Mungale.
It was really a blot on Pandit Neharu.
Bobby
Very often calamity’s help us learn and learn we did, because with that experience and strengthening of our forces we were able to win both the 65 and 71 war with Pak!