A recent Bollywood film has drawn attention to the Battle of Rezang La, a conflict from the 1962 India-China War. The film, titled "120 Bahadur" (Hindi for brave hearts), portrays the efforts of Indian soldiers in defending the Rezang La pass within the Himalayan mountains of Ladakh. While the film, starring Farhan Akhtar as Major Shaitan Singh, did not achieve significant box office success, it has brought visibility to this specific battle, which some describe as a notable engagement for India in a war that resulted in Indian defeat.
Dialogue writer Sumit Arora stated the importance of recounting this story and honoring those involved, noting that while cinematic liberties were taken, the film remained historically accurate.
Background to the 1962 India-China War
The 1962 conflict occurred amidst deteriorating relations between India and China, marked by border disputes and unresolved negotiations. China also expressed dissatisfaction with India's provision of refuge to the Dalai Lama following the 1959 Tibetan uprising.
The month-long war commenced on October 20 with Chinese forces initiating attacks on India. Beijing characterized these actions as a "self-defence counter-attack," accusing Delhi of "aggressively encroaching on Chinese territory and violating Chinese airspace." By the time China declared a unilateral ceasefire and withdrew troops approximately a month later, India had sustained losses of about 7,000 soldiers and 38,000 square kilometers of territory. The two nations were subsequently separated by the Line of Actual Control, an undefined 3,440-kilometer border delineated by geographical features.
China has provided limited official statements regarding the war, asserting the elimination of all Indian positions in conflict areas, but has not commented on the Battle of Rezang La specifically.
The Battle of Rezang La
Fought at an altitude exceeding 16,000 feet (4,900 meters), the Battle of Rezang La took place on the night of November 18, from 3:30 AM to 8:15 AM. The pass held strategic importance due to its proximity to the Chushul airstrip, which served as a crucial logistical hub during a period of limited road infrastructure connecting the region to the rest of India, according to former navy officer and author Kulpreet Yadav.
The engagement involved C (Charlie) Company of the 13 Kumaon battalion, comprising 120 soldiers under the command of Major Shaitan Singh. Only five members of this company survived the battle. Major Singh was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honor, for his leadership. Additionally, twelve other soldiers received gallantry medals.
Initially, accounts from the survivors were met with skepticism, attributed to the broader Indian defeat in the war and the low morale at the time. It was three months later, following the discovery of destroyed bunkers, spent ammunition, and bodies preserved in snow by a shepherd, that a detailed and accurate account of the battle could be constructed.
According to Yadav, Major Singh's superiors had advised considering a tactical retreat if ammunition ran low. However, the soldiers reportedly expressed a commitment to fight "till last man, last bullet." When Chinese forces attacked the pass, the C Company was prepared, but their position was eventually overwhelmed.
Disparity in Forces and Conditions
The battle featured a significant imbalance in forces. While China has not declassified war documents, Indian estimates suggest approximately 3,000 Chinese troops engaged the pass. Chinese forces were equipped with advanced weaponry and gear, in contrast to Indian soldiers who were supplied with semi-automatic rifles and a limited allocation of 600 bullets per soldier.
Journalist Rachna Bisht, in her 2014 book on Major Shaitan Singh, noted that C Company personnel, primarily from plains regions, had not experienced snow conditions and lacked sufficient time for acclimatization. Subedar Ram Chander, a survivor, recounted inadequate winter clothing and shoes, stating that the issued jerseys, cotton trousers, and light coats offered insufficient warmth in temperatures around −24°C.
On the night of the battle, with snow falling, Subedar Ram Chander conveyed his anticipation for the impending engagement to superiors. Bisht's account states that C Company successfully repelled the initial Chinese wave. However, subsequent mortar fire from Chinese forces destroyed bunkers and tents, leading to substantial casualties. A third wave then resulted in the majority of Indian fatalities.