India-Pakistan War

Who: The Indian and Pakistani armies and air forces, after Pakistan's Operation Gibraltar infiltration into Kashmir (from 5 August) and its Operation Grand Slam thrust towards Akhnoor (from 1 September). On the Sikh side, Sant Fateh Singh, who had announced a fast for a Punjabi-speaking state, and the Sikh villagers and officers the Encyclopaedia of Sikhism describes.

What: The war lasted from 5 August to 22 or 23 September 1965. Indian forces crossed the border towards Lahore on 6 September. Pakistani armour pushed towards Khem Karan from 8 September and was repulsed at Asal Uttar in Tarn Taran district by 10 September. The United Nations Security Council demanded a ceasefire on 20 September and the fighting ended on 22 to 23 September. The Tashkent Declaration was signed on 10 January 1966.

The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism records that Sikh villagers in the border districts stayed in their homes, guided newly arrived troops, gave free labour and vehicles and captured Pakistani paratroopers, and that almost all senior commanders in the Punjab sector were Sikhs. It names Lt Gen Harbakhsh Singh (Western zone), Lt Gen Joginder Singh Dhillon (corps in Punjab and parts of Rajasthan), and division commanders Maj Gens Gurbakhsh Singh (Khem Karan sector) and Mohinder Singh (Amritsar sector).

Where: Punjab border (Lahore sector, Khem Karan sector, Kashmir).

Why it mattered: On 16 August 1965 Sant Fateh Singh had announced from Sri Akal Takht Sahib that he would fast from 10 September and burn himself alive on the 16th day if a Punjabi-speaking state was not conceded. On 6 September Home Minister Gulzarilal Nanda said the whole question could be examined afresh "with an open mind". On 8 September Sant Channan Singh (SGPC president), Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Harcharan Singh Hudiara went to Delhi, and a gathering at Parliament House unanimously sent word asking Fateh Singh to defer the fast. On the morning of 9 September he accepted the advice and publicly postponed it, and he appealed to his countrymen, especially Sikhs, to muster all their resources.

On 23 September, as the war ended, Nanda announced a Cabinet committee of Indira Gandhi, Y. B. Chavan and Mahavir Tyagi to pursue the matter. Indira Gandhi conceded the demand on 23 April 1966, and the Punjabi-speaking state came into being on 1 November 1966.

Whether the war moved the government is a matter of interpretation. After describing the Sikh war effort, the Encyclopaedia of Sikhism writes: "Legendary stories were already in circulation about the patriotic fervour and bravery Sikhs had displayed during the war. Clearly, their moment of fulfilment had arrived." It does not say that the government credited the Sikhs or felt indebted to Fateh Singh.