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THE GARUD STRIKES
This is the story of a few good men. The men of the 4th bn Brigade of the Guards (1 Rajput). They were simple, ordinary men, like you and me. But when push came to shove, they rose to the occasion and left an indelible mark on the pages of history.
THE GARUD STRIKES is the compelling story of 4 Guards (1 Rajput) and the critical role they played in the 1971 Indo-Pak War; in freeing seventy-five million people from the torturous and bloody clutches of the Pakistani Army.
In merely sixteen days, under the inspiring leadership of Lt. Col. Himmeth Singh, 4 Guards (1 Rajput), played a pivotal role in leading for India one of the fastest successful military campaigns of modern times; one which not only led to the creation of Bangladesh, but also resulted in the capture of 95,000 Pakistani soldiers.
Narrated by Mukul Deva, India’s literary storm trooper, in his inimitable, compelling style, THE GARUD STRIKES is the breath taking story of the lightning campaign, seen through the eyes of the officers, JCOs and men of 4 Guards (1 Rajput).
As you trudge through the mud and slush of Bangladesh, you will smell the gun smoke, the impact of bullets on flesh, the blood, the fears and tears, as 4 Guards (1 Rajput) smashed its way through the pride of the Pakistani Army, in their dash for Dacca.
THE GARUD STRIKES is the compelling story of 4 Guards (1 Rajput) and the critical role they played in the 1971 Indo-Pak War; in freeing seventy-five million people from the torturous and bloody clutches of the Pakistani Army.
In merely sixteen days, under the inspiring leadership of Lt. Col. Himmeth Singh, 4 Guards (1 Rajput), played a pivotal role in leading for India one of the fastest successful military campaigns of modern times; one which not only led to the creation of Bangladesh, but also resulted in the capture of 95,000 Pakistani soldiers.
Narrated by Mukul Deva, India’s literary storm trooper, in his inimitable, compelling style, THE GARUD STRIKES is the breath taking story of the lightning campaign, seen through the eyes of the officers, JCOs and men of 4 Guards (1 Rajput).
As you trudge through the mud and slush of Bangladesh, you will smell the gun smoke, the impact of bullets on flesh, the blood, the fears and tears, as 4 Guards (1 Rajput) smashed its way through the pride of the Pakistani Army, in their dash for Dacca.
239 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 2014
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98 people want to read
About the author
Mukul Deva
29 books50 followersMajor Mukul Deva (Retd.) (born 29 January) is an Indian polymath. He is a motivational keynote speaker, executive coach, business mentor and bestselling author based in Singapore. He writes spy-military thrillers on terrorism, action, crime, and business and self-help books.
An alumnus of La Martiniere College, Lucknow, the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradoon, Mukul, an ex-Indian Army officer, is the founder-director of a professional security company, MSD Security Pvt Ltd, India, and a learning & organisational development company, Influence Solutions Pte Ltd, Singapore.
An alumnus of La Martiniere College, Lucknow, the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradoon, Mukul, an ex-Indian Army officer, is the founder-director of a professional security company, MSD Security Pvt Ltd, India, and a learning & organisational development company, Influence Solutions Pte Ltd, Singapore.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 16, 2015
Once in a while a book that you read, arrests you with its sincerity and shakes you to the core with its narrative power.... The Garud Strikes...by Major (Retd) Mukul Deva published by Westland is one such book.... The author, himself a combat veteran having served 15 years in the thick of action as an officer of the Indian Army is more than qualified to write about the incredible journey of one battalion ( roughly 900/100 fighting men) which was the spearhead of Indian Army's bold thrust into Bangladesh (erstwhile East Pakistan), which in 16 days redrdrew a map to give birth to an independent nation (a feat that that is perhaps not been achieved by any army since the WW II )........
The Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, the crowning glory of the Indian Armed Forces, has never really been documented in popular media despite it being one of the most daring, decisive and strategic miltary victories of all times which resulted in the surrender of 92,000 Pakistani soldiers.
The book documents the awe-inspiring and courageous tale of the band of men of 4th Battalion of the Regiment of Gaurds (erstwhile 1 Rajput) as it becomes the sword arm of the Indian Army in its rush to Dacca to paralyse the enemy forces into a feeble surrender..... The author places the reader in the enviable position of a viewer as he narrates the plans, the advances, the skirmishes and battles and the final cry of victory through the eyes of the men who have been in the vanguard of the action.... This is no dry narration of military jargon but a close glimpse into the minds of those few good men who under the fiesty and charismatic leadership of Lt.Col. Himmeth Singh their CO (commanding officer) who strived, failed, struggled and finally triumphed against overwhelming odds sometimes with nothing more than sheer guts......
The book traces the juggernaut of the battles that the battalion fights, their spirit of comradeship bordering on noble brotherhood, their anguish at losing their brothers, the discipline that is the hallmark of our fighting forces and most notable the bravery, indomitable will and courage of the officers that led them....
The Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, the crowning glory of the Indian Armed Forces, has never really been documented in popular media despite it being one of the most daring, decisive and strategic miltary victories of all times which resulted in the surrender of 92,000 Pakistani soldiers.
The book documents the awe-inspiring and courageous tale of the band of men of 4th Battalion of the Regiment of Gaurds (erstwhile 1 Rajput) as it becomes the sword arm of the Indian Army in its rush to Dacca to paralyse the enemy forces into a feeble surrender..... The author places the reader in the enviable position of a viewer as he narrates the plans, the advances, the skirmishes and battles and the final cry of victory through the eyes of the men who have been in the vanguard of the action.... This is no dry narration of military jargon but a close glimpse into the minds of those few good men who under the fiesty and charismatic leadership of Lt.Col. Himmeth Singh their CO (commanding officer) who strived, failed, struggled and finally triumphed against overwhelming odds sometimes with nothing more than sheer guts......
The book traces the juggernaut of the battles that the battalion fights, their spirit of comradeship bordering on noble brotherhood, their anguish at losing their brothers, the discipline that is the hallmark of our fighting forces and most notable the bravery, indomitable will and courage of the officers that led them....
November 27, 2014
The book is a very important contribution in the literature on Indian Wars - there are very few, with the only other mainstream book that I recall being Kargil penned by Gen VP Malik. This is a rather unfortunate reality, that there is a dearth of quality literature on our contemporary military history - a fact that is just plain indefensible! I shall explore that aspect more fully in a subsequent blogpost, so let us continue, for the moment, on our journey into the experiences of 4 Guards during 1971
The book focuses on the wartime exploits of one battalion - The 4 Guards, commanded by Lt Col Himmat Singh, an officer who subsequently rose to the rank of Lt Gen. It takes a unique approach - one which is laudable as well as exceptionally powerful. It tells the story through the memories of the soldiers who actually fought the war. The plot is unfolded in a meeting of the war veterans, who reminisce about the sequence of events, interspersed with a normal story-telling style. The combination is powerful - it takes you into the trenches of the war, and into the minds of the soldiers. For the first time, you get a glimpse of the mind of a soldier as he rushed towards what may be certain death!
The book focuses on the wartime exploits of one battalion - The 4 Guards, commanded by Lt Col Himmat Singh, an officer who subsequently rose to the rank of Lt Gen. It takes a unique approach - one which is laudable as well as exceptionally powerful. It tells the story through the memories of the soldiers who actually fought the war. The plot is unfolded in a meeting of the war veterans, who reminisce about the sequence of events, interspersed with a normal story-telling style. The combination is powerful - it takes you into the trenches of the war, and into the minds of the soldiers. For the first time, you get a glimpse of the mind of a soldier as he rushed towards what may be certain death!
November 28, 2014
A very well written book on 1971 Indo Pak war..Valour , trust n confidence shown by 1 Gaurds soldiers n officers is commendable.. The book gives a close insight on war- death n victory playing hide n seek game..Mukul Deva is one of my favourite writer..I was present for this particular book launch and got opportunity to meet him personally..
September 10, 2016
This is the true story of 4 Guards (1 Rajput). Mukul Deva, a former military officer of Indian Army has presented a true account of 4 Guards action in Bangladesh during the 1971 War. Its impressive dash from Agartala to Dhaka in just 14 days is unbelievable. The regiment is India's answer to America's 101St Airborne, Echo Company. This is our version of 'Band of Brothers'. Simply unputdownable and an emotional rollercoster ride. Mukul Deva certainly captures the attention of readers. In your face action. You can smell the gunpowder, feel the numbing pain of splinters and experience the raw adrenaline rush of Indian Soldiers.
October 15, 2016
A well written book. Interesting
March 29, 2021
The garud strikes book by Mukul Deva officer turned writer has brought out the olive pride throughout the session of chapter.
Ofcourse the Bravehearts and their victory of war stands upright with sense of pride.
Story of few men who belonged to 4 Guards(1 Rajput).These gentlemen who climbed the terrain of 1971 Indo-Pak war with efforts and witnessed victory under the leadership of Colonel Himmeth, a man of simplicity and discipline.
Quoting from the last page.
"As I walked away I could not help think..With Pride for what they had accomplished, with grief for all that they had lost, and with shame at the nation that had forgotten them. These simple ,yet brave, men who had wrested freedom for a people not their own.
Despite everything I had the satisfaction of knowing that the Garud they marched under would be proud of them ."
Ofcourse the Bravehearts and their victory of war stands upright with sense of pride.
Story of few men who belonged to 4 Guards(1 Rajput).These gentlemen who climbed the terrain of 1971 Indo-Pak war with efforts and witnessed victory under the leadership of Colonel Himmeth, a man of simplicity and discipline.
Quoting from the last page.
"As I walked away I could not help think..With Pride for what they had accomplished, with grief for all that they had lost, and with shame at the nation that had forgotten them. These simple ,yet brave, men who had wrested freedom for a people not their own.
Despite everything I had the satisfaction of knowing that the Garud they marched under would be proud of them ."
November 5, 2021
Book about the unimaginable heroic & courageous operations of 4 GUARDS erstwhile I RAJPUT in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. Sadly the crowning glory is less shared and like others I was not much aware of the whole story and I was easily correlating myself with what Mukul Deva wrote on last page
""As I walked away I could not help think..With Pride for what they had accomplished, with grief for all that they had lost, and with shame at the nation that had forgotten them. These simple ,yet brave, men who had wrested freedom for a people not their own.""
""As I walked away I could not help think..With Pride for what they had accomplished, with grief for all that they had lost, and with shame at the nation that had forgotten them. These simple ,yet brave, men who had wrested freedom for a people not their own.""
November 11, 2019
Excellent work done by Major Mukul Deva in vividly portraying the Indo-Pak 1971. Although death was continuously breathing on their neck due to enemy attack, the enormous unimaginable heroic and courageous action by Indian soldiers has made us win the war.
Despite the victory, the loss of many Indian soldiers and serious injury to many is heart wrenching. However, sadly, in a war such a thing becomes inevitable. Hats off and big salute to the entire Indian Army!
Despite the victory, the loss of many Indian soldiers and serious injury to many is heart wrenching. However, sadly, in a war such a thing becomes inevitable. Hats off and big salute to the entire Indian Army!
March 20, 2019
A wonderfully written book about the 1971 Indo-Pak war. A story of the 4th Battalion the Guards Regiment of the Indian Army. Very poignant book, how simple souls act and perform beyond the calm of duty for factors which one ignores on a day to day basis. Must read for military history fans and those who would want to know on what motivates a man to fight.
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September 20, 2017Must read
First of all, salute to such Heros who give their lives for A nation. Author has maintained pace and gave details where required so as to get the idea what soldiers have to go through during war and most of the time post war as well. Few details are actually beyond imagination. Description makes easy to visualize the situation.
First of all, salute to such Heros who give their lives for A nation. Author has maintained pace and gave details where required so as to get the idea what soldiers have to go through during war and most of the time post war as well. Few details are actually beyond imagination. Description makes easy to visualize the situation.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews