Events that led to the surrender of the Pakistani forces in 1971, saw Indira Gandhi earning the name of ‘Iron Lady’. Her uncompromising attitude won India a war that even four decades later, is highlighted in history books as event that made India proud of its empathetic foreign policy and powerful armed forces
Forty one years ago on December 16, 1971, the Pakistan Army – under the-then the commander of the Eastern Command of Pakistan, Lt. Gen. A. A. K. Niazi – surrendered to the Indian Army at the Dhaka Racecourse (also known as Ramna Racecourse ground) in Bangladesh. The surrender of the Pakistan army – before the-then commander of the Eastern Command of India and the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian and Bangladeshi forces, Lt. Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora – was a landmark event that will be remembered as one of India’s most glorious moments. Also, India’s victory over Pakistan and the birth of Bangladesh (the erstwhile East Pakistan) have gone down in history as the-then Indian PM Indira Gandhi’s biggest achievements.
The victory of India over Pakistan in the war of 1971 has been one of the most successful wars ever fought in the history of democratic India. It became a shining example of how resolute leadership at the political and military levels can bring desired results. This war not only resulted in the surrender of 93,000 prisoners of war but also brought a new country into existence. What was so special about this episode? It happened to be the only instance that saw a new nation being born as a result of a war between other nations.
In many ways, it was the 1971 victory that made Indira Gandhi the icon that she is today. It was also a time of some hardcore nationalistic diplomacy during a time when the whole world had turned against India for its decision to go ahead with the war. The United States had exercised an enormous amount of pressure to avert India’s attack and even threatened India with dire consequences. But Indira Gandhi chose to ignore it.
Under Indira Gandhi’s leadership, India provided shelter, food and medicines to about 10 million people who in their attempt to escape attacks by the Pakistani army, fled East Pakistan to flock to the states of West Bengal, Tripura, Meghalaya and Assam. India extended full support to the Bangladeshi freedom fighters providing them arms and training facilities. India sent its troops to fight against the Pakistani forces under a Joint Command with Bangladesh – at the fag end of a nine month-long war that put Bangladesh on the world map. The success was achieved with the support of civilians and well-organised rebels under the ‘Mukti Bahini’. Indira Gandhi’s stand was also solidly backed by the erstwhile Soviet Union.
Forty one years ago on December 16, 1971, the Pakistan Army – under the-then the commander of the Eastern Command of Pakistan, Lt. Gen. A. A. K. Niazi – surrendered to the Indian Army at the Dhaka Racecourse (also known as Ramna Racecourse ground) in Bangladesh. The surrender of the Pakistan army – before the-then commander of the Eastern Command of India and the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian and Bangladeshi forces, Lt. Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora – was a landmark event that will be remembered as one of India’s most glorious moments. Also, India’s victory over Pakistan and the birth of Bangladesh (the erstwhile East Pakistan) have gone down in history as the-then Indian PM Indira Gandhi’s biggest achievements.
The victory of India over Pakistan in the war of 1971 has been one of the most successful wars ever fought in the history of democratic India. It became a shining example of how resolute leadership at the political and military levels can bring desired results. This war not only resulted in the surrender of 93,000 prisoners of war but also brought a new country into existence. What was so special about this episode? It happened to be the only instance that saw a new nation being born as a result of a war between other nations.
In many ways, it was the 1971 victory that made Indira Gandhi the icon that she is today. It was also a time of some hardcore nationalistic diplomacy during a time when the whole world had turned against India for its decision to go ahead with the war. The United States had exercised an enormous amount of pressure to avert India’s attack and even threatened India with dire consequences. But Indira Gandhi chose to ignore it.
Under Indira Gandhi’s leadership, India provided shelter, food and medicines to about 10 million people who in their attempt to escape attacks by the Pakistani army, fled East Pakistan to flock to the states of West Bengal, Tripura, Meghalaya and Assam. India extended full support to the Bangladeshi freedom fighters providing them arms and training facilities. India sent its troops to fight against the Pakistani forces under a Joint Command with Bangladesh – at the fag end of a nine month-long war that put Bangladesh on the world map. The success was achieved with the support of civilians and well-organised rebels under the ‘Mukti Bahini’. Indira Gandhi’s stand was also solidly backed by the erstwhile Soviet Union.
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