The 1962 India-China War: A Comprehensive Guide!!

India-China War 1962 ( Sino-Indian War )

Points to keep in mind - 

INDIA

1. Prime Minister - Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

2. Defence Minister  - V. K. Krishna Menon

3. Ruling Party - INC

CHINA

1. President of China - Mao Zedong

2. Chinese Premier ( In-charge of Govt. ) - Zhou Enlai

3. Ruling Party - Communist Party of China

STORY

India got independence on 15th August in the year of 1947. China was again born in the year 1949, when the communist party of China won the Civil war.

Mao Zedong became the President of New China and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru became the first prime minister of New and Independent India.

Initially there was no conflict between them as both the countries were new and had suffered a lot due to British imperialism.

In 1954, Nehru went to Beijing on a visit, he was nicely welcomed, he was warmly welcomed, both the leaders talked to each other for about 4 hours. "Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai" was popularised by Nehru.

Both the countries at the same mindset that they would work together and would ignore any small border disputes.

In the year 1954 the Panchsheel agreement was signed by India and China. There were five principals:

1. Both the countries who respect each others territorial integrity.

2. No interference in each others internal affairs.

3. Mutual non aggression.

4. Mutual relationships for benefits.

5. Peaceful co existence.

One of the problem raised in 1950 when China invaded Tibet and India was against it.

During that time Pakistan was aligned with USA and was getting powerful so Nehru thought aligning with China as the right choice.

Till 1956, Zou Enlai kept on saying openly that China had no claim on Indian territory. Even though the map of China showed some part of India as it's own and when Enlai was questioned about it he would always say that it was a mistake in map.

One of the biggest cause of this war was Tibet issue. In 1959, China sent troops and captured Lhasa, capital of Tibet. Dalai Lama had to flee to save his life. He took refugee in India finally.

Unfortunately China felt betrayed and thought that India is interfering in its internal matter.

Back then there was no Arunachal Pradesh, the whole area was Assam. Arunachal Pradesh was formed in 1987. Back then the region was called North East Frontier agency (NEFA).

The reason behind NEFA was British empire. British defeated Burmese in the 1st Anglo-Burmese war and won this region. British worked with the people of this region and named it has NEFA.

China always claimed the ownership of Tibet but British didn't want this to happened.

So, In 1914 there was Shimla Convention between China, Tibet and British. China didn't sign it but the other two ended up in a bilateral agreement. Border was set up and McMahon line was made.

Tawang, a city in Arunachal Pradesh now, was a part of Tibet then. When British drew McMahon line, Tawang was included inside India. Tibet is the main reason China didn't sign the Shimla Convention as it always considered Tibet as its own territory and it wanted Tawang City also.

 

Aksai Chin was a remote area back then and the region was under Sikh ruler Gulab Singh.

In 1846, British took the control of this region. British tried to make proper boundaries but China and Tibet didn't co-operate.

In 1892, China made a border which included Aksai Chin area.

In 1865, British drew Johnson line which was named after Civil servant William H. Johnson.

In 1897, this line was called Ardagh Johnson line because this line was finally proposed by Major General John C. Ardagh. According to this line Aksai Chin came under India.

In 1899, another line was made by Britishers known as Macartney MacDonald Line. It was presented before Chinese by Sir Claude MacDonald and it was suggested by G. Macartrey. It was based on watershed divisions that means making borders using geographical factors like river, mountain range etc.

The Chinese government didn't responded to this propose.

But till 1959, China in informally followed Macartrey line.

In 1957, China started making roads in Aksai Chin. China also started claiming many of the areas of Ladakh.

Then pandit Nehru stopped believing Chinese people and rejected "Hindi-Chini bhai bhai". Nehru started doubting the Chinese.

And when Lama took refugee in India, it became trigger point for China.

When the leader of Soviet union, Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev also blamed Chinese government for this act.

In anger Chinese government breached the McMahon line and started claiming many South areas.

Enlai came to India for diplomatic talks and and said to Nehru that China would drawback from NEFA if India does the same in Aksai Chin. Pandit Nehru rejected this offer. There was a long talk but no conclusion was made.

So, Nehru followed Forward Policy that means the idea was clear that the Indian soldiers would setup checkposts in conflicted areas and would push back China.

Nehru thought that China would not retaliate but the Chinese government order the Chinese soldiers to patrol the McMahon line. 

Slowly the distrust between both the countries increased.

On 10th July 1962, 353 Chinese troops were surrounded on an Indian Post Chusul Village.

On 22nd July 1962, India extended its Forward Policy and Indian soldiers push back the Chinese troops from Chusul.

The stands of India was clear that India would not back off if someone enters our territory. China started retaliating strongly.

There was a region 526 km North from McMahon line where China was sending troops repeatedly and around 600 gathered in this region known as Thag La Ridge.

On 10th October 1962, morning 8 AM, suddenly Chinese soldiers started attacking to Indian soldiers who were only 56 in numbers.

Indian soldiers somehow managed to escape the 1st attack but then again Chinese soldiers attacked with mortar firing and bombing. Our soldiers requested for machine guns and mortars but Brigadier John Dalvi said that India was not prepared for war. Chinese soldiers attacked for the third time but there was no other option than falling back.

They then brought mortars and machine guns and they installed barbed wires also. Indian soldiers could do nothing but watch because there was lack of weapons and manpower. There was not enough supplies for ammunitions.

Nehru and many other officials of Indian army never even think that China would ever attack.

On 20th October 1962, India China war was officially started.

Operation Leghorn was launched to push back Chinese soldiers from Thag La Ridge and it was led by Brigadier John Dalvi.

Chinese were expecting that India would attack them and capture Aksai Chin, on 10th October 1962, which turned out to be a misconception. For this Chinese government hold meeting at Beijing and decided to go to war.

On the other hand Indian government didn't even think that Chinese government good ever attack so there was no precautions.

Within 7 hours, the 7th Brigade of Indian army was almost wiped out and almost 493 soldiers died and Brigadier Dalvi was captured by Chinese troops.

Within one day Chinese troops captured all the conflicted areas and didn't stop and breached into then Assam to attack Tawang City. On 23rd October 1962, Tawang city was occupied.

In Western sector they were only 30 soldiers in the Chandni post who fought bravely against 500 Chinese soldiers and defended this post for one day but unfortunately all of them except one were martyred.

Chinese soldiers than easily captured chip Chap Valley, Galwan Valley and Pangong Lake.

On 24th October 1962, the war took a pause as Enlai wrote a letter to Nehru for settlements like the soldiers would move back 20 km from LOC and both leaders would meet again to reach a settlement.

But Nehru thought that it was again a trick by China.

On 4th November, Enlai again wrote a letter to Nehru talking that China would except McMahon line if India gives Aksai Chin to China. Pandit Nehru rejected this offer directly.

On 14th November, the war again continued and this time India counter attacked in the Walong city.

The battle of wall long was fought bravely by the Indian soldiers but as Chinese troops out numbered them with manpower and ammunitions and surrounded them, India lost Walong City and 642 soldiers lost their life fighting for Walong.

Although India lost Walong, but later on, China completely withdraw from this place for India.

The bravest battle fought was the battle of Rezang La in the Western sector.

13th battalion of Kumaon regiment was assigned to defend Chusul from Rezang La.

They were 117 soldiers in C company led by major Shaitan Singh.

On 18th November Chinese forces launched an attack and 2 out of 3 Indian platoons opened fire on them. There was huge casualty of Chinese soldiers. Chinese soldiers then attacked with mortars and Indian soldiers took Shelters.

Then again when Chinese troops tried to capture Rezang La, Indian soldiers fired at them and around 20 Chinese troops were left and 12 Indian troops.

Both came out of the trenches and started fighting hand to hand.

But then huge amount of artillery and mortars were used by Chinese troops and they were successful capturing Rezang La.

The battle of Rezang La is famous because of the bravest soldiers who stood there and fought fearlessly. 

Major Shaitan Singh was the second Indian to be honoured with the Param Vir Chakra.

On 19 November, Nehru wrote a letter to the president J. F. kenedy of USA explaining the offensive planned by Chinese forces. he then asked for help to Kennedy for air strike. This could have been at turning point but on 21st  November, China stopped the war and withdraw its army 20km back from McMahon Line.

Many experts believe that it was a tactical move by China as winter was coming and due to heavy snowfall, it would cut down the supplies to the soldiers and another reason was that Kennedy listened to Nehru and could have taken actions.

Also weapons and clothing were being flown into India from USA.

So China took a strategic decision and declare victory over India.

But China withdraw from Chusul and its a part of India now.

USA recognised the McMahon Line and it was accepted internationally.

USA also recognises Aksai Chin a disputed area administrated by China and claimed by India.

Internally Nehru faced criticisms and the army not being ready at the right time was blamed on the Defence Minister Krishna Menon after which he resigned.

Pandit Nehru was emotionally broken and his health started worsening rapidly. He had a stroke in the year 1964 and in May 1964, he passed away.

"Ae Mere Watan Ke Logo" by late Lata Mangeshkar was released on 27 January 1963 as a tribute to the soldiers who were martyred.

The border dispute is not solved till date.

Key Points -

1. Lama took refugee in India.
2. McMohan Line.
3. Shimla Convention.
4. Macartrey Line.
5. Thag La Ridge.
6. Battle of Walong.
7. Battle of Rezang La.