On 3 December 1971, India entered the war after Pakistan launched pre-emptive strikes at a number of Indian airfields. The “lightning war” that lasted 14 days became India’s greatest military victory.

The 1971 War changed the face of the Indian subcontinent and the geopolitics of the region. Its end, with the defeat of Pakistan, led to the creation of a new nation state and the end of the Bangladesh Liberation War. Drawing from the archives of the Ministry of Defence, this lavishly illustrated book uses never-before-seen images to give an objective account of the events that took place in the War. In doing so, not only does it tell the story of some of the most extraordinary battles and encounters that defined the War, but also showcases acts of immeasurable courage and sacrifice of the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, and the Indian Navy.