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From 'Chak De Phatte' to INS Khukri: Ex-Army Chief Naravane's New Book Unearths Military Myths

Former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane has released a new non-fiction book titled "The Curious and the Classified, Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries." The book reveals hidden folklore and legends of India's armed forces, including the origins of the cheer 'Chak De Phatte' and the real soldier behind the song 'Badluram ka Badan'. It also explores stories about Baba Harbhajan, the sinking of INS Khukri, and the courage of a military mule named Pedongi. General Naravane said the book shares real-life stories that soldiers experience and that people are genuinely curious about.

Key Points: Ex-Army Chief Naravane's Book Unearths Military Myths

  • Ex-Army Chief Naravane releases non-fiction book "The Curious and the Classified"
  • Book reveals origins of 'Chak De Phatte' cheer and soldier behind 'Badluram ka Badan'
  • Explores legends like Baba Harbhajan, INS Khukri tragedy, and military mule Pedongi
  • Features quirky illustrations and personal vignettes bringing stories to life
3 min read

From 'Chak De Phatte' to INS Khukri: Ex-Army Chief Naravane's new book unearths military myths and mysteries

General Manoj Mukund Naravane's new book "The Curious and the Classified" reveals hidden folklore, legends, and curiosities of India's armed forces.

"These are the exact real things which a soldier witnesses in his life. These are the stories which people actually want to read and are curious to know about. - General Manoj Mukund Naravane"

By Aayush Sharma, New Delhi, April 25

Former Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane, who recently made headlines for his absolute defence of India's territorial integrity along the Line of Actual Control, is back with a new book and this time he is trading battlefield accounts for something altogether more unexpected: the hidden folklore, quirky legends and classified curiosities of India's armed forces.

Titled The Curious and the Classified, Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries, the book peels back the curtain on the lesser-known stories that colour the history of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.

Did you know that the popular cheer 'Chak De Phatte' has its roots in the Sikh armies of the 17th and 18th centuries? Or that Badluram, the real soldier behind the beloved foot-tapping number 'Badluram ka Badan', was killed in action in the decisive Battle of Kohima in 1944? The book also explores how the city of Bangalore came to be associated with a weapon regarded as a game-changer during World War I, among dozens of other riveting, often wildly amusing accounts.

Beyond the anecdotes, the book ventures into the enduring legend of Baba Harbhajan, the tragic fate of INS Khukri, the extraordinary world of airmen and their call signs, and the raw, remarkable courage of Pedongi, the military mule. Equal parts accessible, humorous and thought-provoking, it is embellished with warm personal vignettes and quirky illustrations that bring each story vividly to life.

Speaking to ANI, General Naravane said that, unlike his previous fictional work, The Cantonment Conspiracy, this book is completely non-fiction.

"This time I am bringing real-life stories, things that people are genuinely curious about but are largely unaware of. These are the exact real things which a soldier witnesses in his life. These are the stories which people actually want to read and are curious to know about," he said.

As he said to ANI, "Everyone is free to interpret everything as per their own conscience; in doing so, they should see what is good in the overall national interest" This book feels like a natural extension of that philosophy, an invitation to understand the armed forces not through controversy, but through their deepest, most human stories.

Meticulously researched yet compulsively readable, The Curious and the Classified is a boots-on-the-ground page turner that shines a warm spotlight on the tenets every soldier lives by: duty, loyalty, comradeship and pride in deep-rooted traditions, which are tested by hard choices and their lasting consequences.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Ananya R
Wow, "Pedongi the military mule" sounds like something straight out of a Pixar movie! šŸ˜‚ But seriously, this is the kind of material that makes history accessible. As a student, I find anecdotes about everyday heroes way more relatable than dates and battles. Definitely picking this up for my summer reading list.
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Rajesh Q
Good to see a former army chief writing non-fiction instead of the usual political memoirs. These are the stories that build national pride without being jingoistic. Though I hope the book also addresses some of the less glamorous aspectsā€”like how soldiers cope with mental health issues post-service. That's a myth that needs busting too.
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James A
As an American who works with Indian veterans, this sounds like a fantastic resource to understand the cultural context of the armed forces. The "classified curiosities" angle is intriguingā€”I wonder if he touches on any interactions with other nations' forces. Would be a great gift for my colleague who's a military history buff.
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Sneha F
I'm skeptical about how "non-fiction" this will beā€”Naravane's previous book was fiction, and military memoirs often romanticize things. But the bit about Bangalore and the WWI weapon piqued my curiosity. Let's hope it's well-researched and not just another "patriotic" coffee-table book. Still, good to see diversity in military writing!
M
Manish T
Yeh dil maange more! šŸ˜ As someone from Punjab, I can confirm 'Chak De Phatte' is pure

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