Why Military coup has never taken place in India? | Post-independence History of India | UPSC CSE

Summary

The video script discusses the unique relationship between the Indian military and civilian leadership, contrasting it with the history of military interventions in neighboring countries. It delves into the reasons why India has not experienced military dictatorship, highlighting the professional ethos of the Indian Army, inherited from British colonial rule, and the conscious steps taken by India's political leadership to keep the military in check. The script also touches on the diversity within the Indian military and society, which has served as a defense against the possibility of military power grabs.

Takeaways

• 😀 The script discusses the historical context of military leadership in post-colonial Africa and Asia, particularly in India.
• 🏛️ The Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's interaction with General Thimayya highlights the civilian control over the military in India.
• 🗳️ Despite the possibility of military dictatorship in India during 1954-1968, it never materialized, contrary to the situation in some neighboring countries.
• 👮‍♂️ The Indian military is portrayed as a highly professional force with a proud 250-year history inherited from the British colonial rule.
• 🇵🇰 The script contrasts India's situation with Pakistan's, where the military has a history of power capture and involvement in politics.
• 🛠️ The Pakistani military's involvement in civil duties such as cleaning and repairing the city of Lahore in 1950s enhanced public respect for the army.
• 📢 A popular sentiment in Pakistan in the 1950s was the belief that the military could bring order and stability, which contributed to the acceptance of military rule in 1958.
• 🛡️ The script emphasizes the steps taken by India to ensure civilian supremacy over the military, including policy changes and the reduction of military influence in policy matters.
• 💼 The Indian government's response to Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa's economic criticisms illustrates the civilian control and the military's adherence to it.
• 🔄 The Indian military's structure and culture are such that they do not lend themselves to the possibility of a military coup, unlike in some South Asian neighbors.
• 🌐 India's diversity is reflected in its military, which is vast and diverse, making unified leadership difficult and reducing the likelihood of military intervention in politics.

Q & A

What significant event is described in the script involving Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and General Thimmaya?

The script describes an event where Indian Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited General Thimmaya's office and noticed a steel cabinet behind the General's dress. Nehru inquired if it contained something important, to which Thimmaya replied that in the top drawer were the country's defense plans, and in the skin drawer were the top channel's confidential feel files.

Why is the Indian military's non-attempt to seize power a point of discussion in the script?

The script discusses the Indian military's non-attempt to seize power because, unlike many of India's South Asian neighbors, India has never experienced military rule or attempted coups, which is considered unusual given the commonality of military leadership in post-colonial Africa and Asia.

What is the historical context of the Indian Army's professionalism mentioned in the script?

The script mentions that the Indian Army's professionalism is rooted in its 250-year-old glorious history inherited from the British, which has contributed to its non-involvement in politics and power seizures.

How did the script describe the structural imbalance in Pakistan that contributed to military rule?

The script describes a structural imbalance in Pakistan, particularly after the death of Jinnah in 1948, where the military was the most substantial inherited institution from the partition, and the political party, Muslim League, was not as influential, leading to a situation where the military had significant power.

What incident in Lahore in 1950 is mentioned in the script, and how did it reflect on the Pakistani military?

The script mentions an incident in Lahore in 1950 where the military was called in to control a situation that civilian authorities could not handle. After successfully restoring order, the commanding officer made an unusual request to stay a few more days, during which the military cleaned the city, repaired public buildings, and improved infrastructure, which increased public respect for the military.

What was the public's reaction to the military's actions in Lahore in 1950 as described in the script?

The public's reaction to the military's actions in Lahore was positive, as the military was able to accomplish in a few days what civilian authorities had not been able to do for years, leading to increased respect and admiration for the military.

How did the script explain the difference in the Indian and Pakistani military's involvement in politics?

The script explains that the Indian military has remained apolitical due to a series of policies initiated by Prime Minister Nehru, which ensured that the military remained subordinate to civilian authority. In contrast, Pakistan's military has a history of political involvement and power seizures, partly due to structural imbalances and the military's significant role in the country's institutions.

What policy changes did Prime Minister Nehru implement to ensure the Indian military remained subordinate to civilian authority?

Prime Minister Nehru implemented policies that reduced the military's influence in policy matters, such as reducing the salaries of military officers and ensuring that the military's role was limited to defense and not politics. He also personally communicated with military leaders to emphasize their role in a democratic setup.

What was the significance of Krishna Menon's appointment as Defense Minister in the script's narrative?

Krishna Menon's appointment as Defense Minister was significant because it further clarified the process of civilian control over the military in India, ensuring that the military operated within the framework of civilian authority.

How does the script describe the diversity within the Indian military and its impact on unity and leadership?

The script describes the Indian military as being very diverse and widespread, making it difficult to have unified leadership. This diversity, however, also serves as a strength, as it prevents the possibility of a successful coup due to the lack of a unified social force that the military could rely on.

What measures were taken to ensure the Indian military's non-involvement in politics, as mentioned in the script?

The script mentions measures such as the systematic monitoring of the military's activities, the establishment of a counter to its creation, and the requirement for embedders to report on the military's position, all of which were aimed at ensuring the military's non-involvement in politics.