Watershed 1967- India's Forgotten Victory Over China
Praise for the Book
‘This is a thriller-like account of two battles at Nathu La and Cho La between India and China in 1967 that did not get the pride of place in military history and public memory that they deserved. They occurred at a particularly difficult time for India.
‘This engagingly written page-turner of a book tells the forgotten story of the 1967 battles of Nathu La and Cho La and brave soldiers like Sagat Singh, Bishan Singh and P. S. Dagar who banished the ghosts of the 1962 defeat and of diplomats and spies engaging in a tit-for-tat intrigue.
‘India didn’t gain new territory in 1967 and lost 100 lives. But it gained something far more important – its self-esteem and an era of peace. This is a valuable addition to the still thin genre of military historiography in India.’
Shekhar Gupta, chairman and editor-in-chief, Print
‘Watershed 1967 is an exhilarating narrative of a set of high-altitude battles at Nathu La and Cho La in September 1967 that marked the revival of India’s military confidence in its dealings with China. Meticulously researched amidst the backdrop of the 1965 India–Pakistan conflict and rising tensions between India and China over the status of Sikkim. Probal DasGupta is a gifted storyteller with a real feel for battle.’
Air Vice Marshal Arjun Subramaniam (retd), author of India’s Wars: A Military History, 1947–1971
‘Major DasGupta sheds valuable light on some of the lesser-known military interactions between India and China – his focus being the 1967 battles of Cho La and Nathu La where the tricolor prevailed. Written with distinctive verve this book braids battle narratives with international politics, intrigue and insightful authorial reflections. A must-read for the specialist and the lay person alike.’
Commodore C. Uday Bhaskar (retd), director, Society for Policy Studies
‘India vis-a-vis China must not be seen through the prism of the 1962 war as a
sore reminder. The bravery of Cho La and Nathu La of 1967, provided the impetus and strength for recent eye-ball confrontations at DBO, Demchock, Chumar and Doklam. Probal DasGupta’s Watershed 1967 is that breath of fresh air which recounts Indian victories, boosts self-esteem and confidence, and lays a new narrative for the 21st century. A welcome addition to the discourse.’
Lieutenant General Rakesh Sharma (retd), former adjutant general, Indian army
‘A book that should forever emblazon 1967’s victory against China in India’s public consciousness as much as 1962’s defeat. A wonderful account of an operation that has never received its due, filled with delectable granularity, both in the political offices and the battlefield.’
Shiv Aroor, co-author of India’s Most Fearless: True Stories of Modern Military Heroes
‘Sheds light on little-known facts . . . Vignettes of intrigue playing out like moves on a chessboard . . . make Probal DasGupta’s book critical for anyone following the India–China competition.’
Husain Haqqani, former Pakistan ambassador to the US and author of
India vs Pakistan: Why Can’t We Just Be Friends?
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