Rajendra Nath - Strategic Ladakh: A Historical Narrative 1951-53 and a Military Perspective

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Copyright 2016, Maj Gen Rajendra Nath, PVSM (Retd)

First Published : 2016

ISBN: 978-93-85563-49-2 (Hardback)

ISBN : 978-93-85563-50-8 (ebook)

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No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Application for such permission should be addressed to the publisher.

The views expressed in this book are those of the author in his personal capacity. These do not have any official endorsement.

Dedicated to the Noble and Hospitable Citizens of Ladakh.

It was a blessing to be amongst you. Thank You.
and
My Love and My Abiding Pride,
The Indian Army.
and
My Regiment
The 11th Gorkha Rifles

Situated in the remote regions of the Himalayan ranges, forming the crest of Indias crown, surrounded by lofty mountain massifs, the mighty majestic heights of whose peaks few men have reached to, watered by the perennial springs of the Indus, Shyok and Nubra, inhabited by people whose noble nature and simplicity are paralleled only by their humble living and spiritual thinking, once a centre of the Central Asian trade, paradise of game-hunters and mountaineers, and the melting pot of Chinese, Pakistani and Indian relationships such is strategic Ladakh.

But today, Ladakh as the haven of Lamas is not important for India; Ladakh as the farthest Northern frontier out post is vitally important for our countrys defence. To post partition India, Ladakh is from the point of view of defence, as strategically important as the North West Frontier province was to pre-partition India.

To emphasise the importance of geography, its pertinent to note what was said about General Allenby; Certainly no Commander ever gave more careful study to the history and topography of the theatre in which he was operating writes Field Marshal Wavel in his book Palestine Campaign than did General Allenby. Two books he consulted almost daily, the Bible and Adam Smiths Historic Geography of the Holy Land. Nor was it only the natural interest aroused in an acute and exceptionally well informed mind that impelled him to reflect so often on the part of the land. From these reflections he deducted much that was of value to him in planning his operations. That was in 1914-18 when the nature of warfare was not even half as complex as it is today. If even in 1914-18 a distinguished commander like Allenby felt the need to understand the history, geography and religious back ground of the country in which he was operating, it is only imperative that a commander of today has to go much deeper into the problems of the country in which he has to operate. General Eisenhower in his book Crusade in Europe also discusses the important political and economic problems he had to face during the campaigns in addition to the pressing military problems, though technically speaking he was only a military commander. Warfare now a days has become so complex that every military commander, in addition to being proficient in his own profession, has to be fully capable of handling political, economic, social and religious problems as well. This a commander can only do if he has thoroughly read and knows the historical background, geography, economic conditions and social customs of the land in which his forces are likely to operate.

Ladakh is a far flung area and is cut off from the rest of India by lofty mountain ranges. Any commander who has to operate in this area is likely to be a part civil head as well during the operations due to the special characteristics of this area. He will be called upon to make timely political or economic decisions and his relations with the people of Ladakh as well as their leaders will have a great bearing on the conduct of the operations. He cannot possibly tackle these problems unless he has a good knowledge of Ladakh as well as its inhabitants. It has been endeavoured to give a fairly comprehensive picture of Ladakh and its various aspects in this small book. If in times to come, India is again called upon to defend Ladakh from any foreign aggressor, I would venture to state that the study of this hand book by any commander who has to operate in this area is quite likely to be of some use to him.

I wrote this book essentially in 1952-53, when posted in Ladakh as the Army Headquarters Liaison Officer. Readers may place this context, of having written this book in 1953 as a very young officer, while reading the book, a later day context and framework has been brought in too and maybe perused, and its evolution in the military context understood. The chapters and content especially and then added some chapters to highlight the progression of events in this sensitive region. Readers may note I have added the 1962 chapter specially to highlight the continuity in military importance of this vital region.

This book is essentially an observation of Ladakh in the early nineteen fifties, after tracing its social evolution from ancient times. I interacted with the local lamas, the elders and the educated amongst the people to trace their roots and habits and culture. Hopefully, this would be found to be a useful input by those engaged in such pursuits.

The nature of my posting enabled me to move amongst the then elite in Ladakh and observe this regions societal structure and socio economic aspects. A simple hospitable people, the people of Ladakh were still grasping way back then the developments around them. I made many friendships; the one I treasure to this day is my friendship and interaction with the Reverend / His Holiness Kushak Bakula, the Ex Head Lama. With him I have discussed mysticism, Buddhism, the characteristics of Buddhism in Ladakh, the political developments etc. It was a major learning experience for me. I also stuck up friendships with the Moravian Mission, specially the heads, the Driver Couple. Mr. Sonam Norbu, the engineer who constructed the Leh Airfield was another. The Army HQs sanctioned me a generous allowance in those days for a servant, I offered it on arrival to one person, and he said the entire family would work in that money. This was the poverty and simplicity.

I also went out on a major long range reconnaissance patrol to the vital Aksai Chin Area. Incidentally, during the patrol I went off on a tangent to see the exotic wildlife (Snow Leopard and Wild Ass) and was cut off from my patrol party, in thickly falling snow I was debating on how to last the night or if I could last the night or would I have to shoot myself in case warranted. Luckily the patrol party was able to locate me.