The history of war is as old as the human civilization itself, a clear off- shoot of intra-species struggle. Numerous wars have been fought on earth hitherto, many exclusively for women such as War of Troy for Helen. But, the irony is that war has always been a male bastion as most of the fighters participating in any war are male and barring few exceptions women never got any opportunity to fight in war form the forefront. But, this notion has undergone a sea change over the years and the scenario and modus operandi of fighting any war is also changing fatly.
Women Can Kills You Right Where It Hurts!
If we turn the pages of history, we find that during ancient time across all known civilizations of the world, only men were part of combat forces, whereas maximum which was expected from females was to provide emotional support to warriors in the form of mother, sister or wife. Furthermore, females were supposed only a mechanism to produce progeny (i.e. more warriors for forthcoming wars ) and keep the process of perpetuation of warriors going on and on. For example, the famous statement of wife of King Leonardus of Sparta that “Only Spartan females produce real men (i.e. true and fierce warriors in context to war)” is an unequivocal evidence of the limited role of women in armed forces, even in the elite and most developed the then state of Sparta. On the other hand, the role of women in princely states of India was even more restricted and pathetic even in mighty Mauryan empire established by Chandragupta Maurya .In a nutshell, at that time, women were only warrior producing machines and not a warrior who fights at the forefront.
The medieval history witnessed rise in the role of women in war related activities. Now in Central Asian and other civilizations women started being observers of court proceeding by sitting behind curtains of court. Indirectly, they even became part of war strategy. This trend was more prominent in certain barbarian tribes of Central Asia living on the eastern side of Hindu Kush, such as Huns, Sakas, Kusans who were fond of fighting wars as war was their favorite past time! This trend was also evident people of Mongolian tribes living in present day Ajer Baizan and Mongolia especially in the dynasty of Temur and Changez Khan which later traversed to Chinese provinces. A direct consequence of this was starting of Marshall Arts training for women. It is rightly said that change is constant and India was also not isolated form this phenomena. The Rajputs of Rajputana princely states of Rajasthan also started providing training to women for combat operations, but they never used women in actual wars. For example, Princess Jodha who was later married to Mughal emperor Akbar.
In modern history, if we talk of India, there were many princely states who provide training to women. Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi due to her courageous acts brought world fame to the state of Jhansi. Captain Lakhmi Sehgal of Indian National Army is another great and noteworthy example to quote.
But the actual rise in the stature of women in armed force took place with the beginning of First World War in 1914. The most important reason being death of male fighters at forefront who were fighting for their nation and to be more precise, for the coalition their nation was part of. Due to death of male fighters each day, and consequent shortage of troop, the immediate repercussion was use of women in war, and also providing them opportunity to work at posts which were earlier exclusively only for males. This trend was catapulted more fiercely during World War II, shattering the notion that armed forces is a male bastion!
In 1914, when Russian princess Eugenie Shakhovskaya became the first female military pilot in the world and the subsequent World War events, made the world realize the importance of women in Armed Forces. But, this idea most steadfastly picked by Intelligence Agencies such as KGB, CIA, MI 5, MI 6, MOSSAD etc. who started using women for their operations. Even arch rivals RAW and ISI were not behind in this race. One classic example to quote in this regard is of Golda Maeyer of MOSSAD who later became first Prime Minister of Israel.
Taking example from erstwhile USSR, during Cold War years, USA started inducting females in combat groups of their armed forces. Presently, females is USA are also part of her most elite and lethal commando force- The US Marines with tagline- THE FEW THE PRIDE who are at present also in operation at Marjah in Afghanistan fighting Taliban fighters.
Most astonishing is the case of Muslim country Iraq, which under the rule of Saddam Hussain inducted women in large numbers in combat groups. He had greatest faith in the loyalty, efficiency and combat capabilities of women so much so that his nearest security cover had only female commandoes.
Even Pakistan stepped far ahead in this race Flight Lieutenant Ambareen Gul became the first female fighter pilot of Pakistan Air Force, which at present has 7 female fighter pilots, whereas on the other hand Indian Air Force till now do not have even a single female fighter pilot.
But, actually, it was Israel who championed the role of women in armed forces, as it started providing basic military training to all females in the country and provided opportunity for women to work on any post or rank or assignment whether it be combat or non-combat, according to their merit and capability.
But all above mentioned events had very little impact on psyche of Indian mass culture. Long after India’s independence in 1947, in 1992, Wing Commander (Retd.) Anupama Joshi became first female officer of Indian Air Force. From this started the commissioning of females in Indian Armed Forces, but only as a Short Commissioned Officer just for a duration of 10 years and that too only in non-combat branches only. Although Indian Navy’s Medical Research Report states that Indian Women are comparatively more fir than their male counterparts in terms of psychological, mental and physical preparedness for successful execution and accomplishment of any war like operations or activities. Even then Indian Armed Forces are reluctant to give opportunity to women to join combat groups and take permanent commission. The recent remarks of Vice-Chief of Indian Air Force Air Marshal P.K.Barbora that giving commission to women as fighter pilot will be a waste of money and resources, added fuel to fire and a lot of hue and cry was made in this regard. On 1 APR 2010, the issue become even burning when newly appointed Chief of Army Staff General V.K. Singh said that giving permanent commission to women in Indian Armed Forces is going to be a daunting task.
The fight by women for Permanent Commission and joining Combat Groups in Indian Armed Forces, compelled Anupama Joshi and other female officers to take the matter to court. On 12 MARCH 2010, Delhi High Court came out with a land mark judgment that women must also be given Permanent Commission and opportunity to join Combat Group. Hope this will change Indian psyche and will lead to elevation in stature of females in Indian Armed Forces and in Indian society as whole!!!!!
It is an awesome article. It flabbergasted me. I felt enlighted after reading this. I wish the author publishes more articles of this king. I salute him.
It is an awesome article. It flabbergasted me. I felt enlighted after reading this. I wish the author Mohnish Sinha publishes more articles of this kind in the forthcoming future. I salute him.
It is unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!
Simply fantastic!!!!!!
I do not have words to explain the beauty of this article.
It is an analytical analysis of women’s roile in armed forces.
I wish all the very best to the author- Mr.Mohnish Sinha!!!!!
It is amazing!!!!!!!!!!
I had a nice time reading this article. According to me, it was the best among all articles published on this website.
Yeh Dil Mange More!!!!
Mohnish sir, Kindly wright more articles of this kind.
I know your secret too! I look at commenting in this way – since I’m relatively new to blogging, I always thought from the beginning that it was a two-way medium, where someone is starting a conversation that invites interaction, so I picked up the habit right away. In contrast, I’d think if some folks never commented when they first ventured into the blogosphere, it would be more difficult to jump in down the road (i.e. not a habit). Nevertheless, I agree with you on your last statement
good one
Well written Mohnish!
i enjoyed reading this article. but i feel that the point regarding induction of women in armed forces and the air force in india is quite a debatable topic. KEEP THE GOOD WORK GOING….
Thank you@ Suraj Singh
@ Sunny
@ Akhil
@ Trena Hinkston
@ Nipun
@ Aadil
@ Rohin
I thank you everyone for reading my article. Kindly, keep forwarding your views so that I can improve further.
Dear Rohin,
Yes, you are right that induction of women in Combat Group of ARMED FORCES is difficult as per present circumstances but not debatable as per statements of General V.K.Singh and orders of Delhi High Court. Moreover, they are alredy part of non-combat
groups. I personally respect them and have full faith in their merit.
good job mohnish nd m hpy to see tht u hv lots of facts rather thn imagnations……………………
really nice article
Great Work…
I really appreciate this post
Thank u Megha Saxena
Kindly, keep reading my articles
U can also send e-mail at mohnishsinha2009@gmail.com
Thanks everyone
More than a few facts are wrong. Please get your research right Mr. Sinha
Dear Mr. Titus,
Thank u for reading my article. I am delighted that great intellectuals like u are reading my article. As far as mistakes in article is concerned, I accept that there is a mistake in line no.- 4 of paragraph no.-3, where that actual phrase should be “on the western side of HINDU KUSH”.
I will be grateful to u if u can point out my other mistakes, so that I can improve myself and in the forthcoming future become an intellectual like u!!!!
Thank u everyone
I wish more people would write blogs like this that are actually helpful to read. With all the garbage floating around on the web, it is a great change of pace to read a blog like yours instead.
Thank u @ Huey Bekker
I will try to keep up to ur expectations
It is simply fantastic!!!!!1
Its a very good article
Thank u @ Tejinder
Keep reading http://www.indiastand.com
Thank u @ Tarun
Keep reading articles on http://www.indiastand.com
I have been looking looking around for this kind of information. Will you post some more in future? I’ll be grateful if you will.
it is highly informative and thrilling and eciting to read your discription of War!!!
Hats off to you!!!
Are you a war journalist?
Thank you @ Mr. L.K. Pandey
No, at present, I am simply a journalist, but, yes, I intend to become a war journalist.
Thank you very much for your compliments.
Keep reading…
Dear Atlanta Cheap Tickets,
I will try my level best to keep up to your expectations.
Thank you very much for reading my article.
I will grateful to you if you could point out the areas where I can further improve myself.
Kindly, reply fast.
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Dear Olive Klepchick,
I am really grateful to you that you read my blog. For an author, the greatest victory is when his/ her readers his/her articles and then really get satisfied with it. As per you comment is concerned, I think I have achieved victory. I request you to keep on reading articles on different topics so as to increase you knowledge and entertain yourself. You can also write to me at mohnishsinha2009@gmail.com.
Thank you!!!!!
Dear Olive Klepchick ,
I am really grateful to you that you read my article. For an author, the greatest victory is when his/ her readers read his/her articles and then really get satisfied with it. As per you comment is concerned, I think I have achieved victory. I request you to keep on reading articles on different topics so as to increase you knowledge and entertain yourself. You can also write to me at mohnishsinha2009@gmail.com.
Thank you!!!!!
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn something like this before. So good to seek out any person with some unique thoughts on this subject. realy thanks for beginning this up. this website is something that is wanted on the net, somebody with slightly originality. helpful job for bringing something new to the web!