The Battles That Shaped Indian History

Contents: Preface. 1. The Battle of Jhelum River. 2. Victory and debacle – The Battles of Tarain. 3. The Carving of an Empire – The First Battle of Panipat. 4. Consolidating the Empire – The Battle of Khanua. 5. The Flight of a Fateful Arrow – The Second Battle of Panipat. 6. Victory in defeat – The Battles of Chittor and Haldi Ghati. 7. Carnage – Disaster at Panipat. 8. Establishing of Imperial rule – The Battles of Plassy and Buxar. 9. Independent India’s First Battles – Jammu and Kashmir 1947-48. 10. Debacle in the High Himalayas – Sino- Indian Conflict – 1962. 11. Redemption and More – The 1965 Indo-Pak War. 12. The Birth of a Nation – 1971 Indo-Pak War. Index.

The Battles that shaped Indian History is a concise, factual account of the battles hat have decided India’s destiny. It covers a spectrum spanning almost two and a half millennia – from Alexandra’s battle with King Poros on the banks of the Jhelum River in 326 BC to India’s decisive victory over Pakistan in 1971. Twelve of India’s major battles have been covered, each embellished with detailed maps and photographs. The characteristics of the main protagonists, the tactics and weaponry utilized by both sides and also the turning moment of the battles have been enumerated to make the battles come alive and help the reader understand them better.

The book provides an interesting and incisive account of India’s military history and provides an illuminating overview of its battles. It highlights the tactical concepts, weaponry and thinking of Indian armies down the ages and also brings out the inherent flaws and weaknesses which were so often exploited by foreign invaders. The lessons of these battles can be applied in today’s conflicts and hold relevance even in the battlegrounds of the future.