1962: The War That Wasn’t by Shiv Kunal Verma [Hardcover]

In 1962: The War That Wasn't, Shiv Kunal Verma delivers a poignant and incisive account of the Sino-Indian War of 1962, a catastrophic conflict marked by India's staggering military failures and mismanagement. The narrative begins with the tragic events of October 20, 1962, when over 400 Indian soldiers were killed near the Nam Ka Chu in the Himalayas, leading to a month-long battle that resulted in nearly 4,000 casualties across both sides. Notably, the war was never formally declared, and it ended only when China unilaterally announced a ceasefire on November 21, leaving Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, unaware that the conflict had concluded.

Verma’s work scrutinizes the poorly equipped and ill-prepared Indian troops, who were left to fend for themselves in inhospitable terrain, often without essential winter clothing or adequate support from their political and military superiors. He emphasizes the mismanagement of the Indian forces in key locations such as Nam Ka Chu, Bum-la, and Tawang, illustrating how systemic failures led to one of the most significant military disasters in independent India's history.

Drawing on extensive interviews with soldiers and first-hand accounts, Verma constructs a vivid and uncomfortable exploration of this forgotten chapter. He provides critical insights into the strategic blunders and political decisions that contributed to India's disarray during the conflict, offering readers a clearer understanding of the events and their implications for India’s military and political landscape. 1962: The War That Wasn't serves as a sobering reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by the Indian armed forces and the enduring consequences of this tragic episode.