Himalayan Blunder
Himalayan Blunder: The Angry Truth About Indias Most Crushing Military Disaster is an account of the 1962 Sino-Indian war through the narrative of Brigadier J. P. Dalvi, who fought in the war. Himalayan Blunder: The Angry Truth About Indias Most Crushing Military Disaster is Brigadier J. P. Dalvis retelling of the Sino-Indian war that took place in 1962 – a war that India lost. Dalvi fought the war as the Commander of the 7th Infantry Brigade in NEFA (North-East Frontier Agency). His account of the war is graphic and telling. He was captured by the Chinese forces and held for seven months. As a participant of the war, he was privy to all that went on at the battlefield as well as behind the scenes.
Based on his firsthand experiences, he recounts the events that occurred between September 8, 1962 and October 20, 1962. As early as 1951, China silently and steadily began to work its way onto Indian soil. Even in the face of indisputable evidence, India insisted on maintaining cordial relations with the Chinese. China seemed only too happy to play along. Dalvi narrates the manner in which Indias own political leadership traitorously worked against its cause. In no uncertain terms, he holds three men responsible for Indias defeat – Jawaharlal Nehru, Krishna Menon, and General Brij Mohan Kaul.
Issuing orders from Delhi, they seemed to be clueless about the situation on the battlefield. Undoubtedly, when they were rushed into battle, the Indian soldiers – underfed, ill-equipped, and unprepared as they were – never stood a chance against the powerful Chinese army. Regardless of that, the soldiers fought bravely and laid down their lives for their homeland. Dalvi claims that the apathy and the sheer ineptitude of those at the helm of Indias political affairs sacrificed hundreds of valuable lives.
Brigadier Dalvis detailed narrative of the massacre of the Indian soldiers, a horror that he witnessed firsthand, is heart-rending. The book was published in 1969. Among all the books based on the subject of the 1962 Sino-Indian war, this book is considered to be one the most striking and authentic versions. Due to its sensitive subject matter and its portrayal of Indias leaders in a harshly negative light, the book was banned by the Indian Government upon its release. This particular edition is a 2010 reprint by Natraj Publishers. The book has been translated into Kannada by Ravi Belagere.