Lessons from history – the importance of alliances
Prachi Lahiri
Lessons learnt from history can make our present and future better. So, the crux lies in applying the insights gained from history. If history is locked in the past and not made relevant in today’s world, then it remains a story that is told and retold. Therefore, while we teach about the wars in history, unless we highlight what we learnt from them, we are just narrating a saga of valour, victory, violence, and vindictiveness. The importance of allies in any war cannot be overstated, as alliances play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of conflicts. Wars have been won because of good allies and lost due to their absence. Lessons on alliances teach children a valuable and important life skill about the necessity to build a network of friends and supporters.
While writing about wars in history, the focus is usually on the cause of the conflict, its course, and the result. We hardly highlight the importance of coalitions. History is fraught with examples where battles have been won not by brute force, but through alliances and negotiations. The notorious Battle of Talikota where the powerful Vijaynagara Empire fell to the confederacy of the four kings of Ahmednagar, Golconda, Bijapur, and Bidar is a glaring example. The effects of this loss were devastating for the Vijaynagra Empire. It was looted, burnt, and plundered for months together.
A successful alliance depends on several key factors. Primary among these is the presence of a strong and secure leader. The second crucial element involves a spirit of give-and-take or collaboration; it should never be one-sided. In a sustainable and thriving alliance, each member holds significant stakes, fostering a sense of ownership. The third vital aspect is inclusiveness among diverse groups, where team spirit prevails over individual interests. Dynasties that sustain over a long time are built upon collaboration and alliances; once these foundations are weakened, the dynasty collapses. All these elements are evident in the mighty Mauryan and Mughal Empires.
Under the able guidance of Chanakya, Chandragupta Maurya established the Mauryan Empire. Chanakya’s tenets on alliance are extensive, where he elaborates on who an enemy is and who can be an ally. After assessing Chandragupta Maurya’s potential adversaries and allies, Chanakya methodically calculated their mindset and anticipated their actions. When power was asserted through calculative planning, the Mauryan Empire thrived. However, when Ashoka conquered through coercion, sidelining the interests of smaller kingdoms and tribes, the dynasty fell apart within a few decades of his demise. Similarly, when Akbar forged an alliance with the Rajputs, embracing and adapting their customs and beliefs, it secured the Mughal Empire. Conversely, Aurangzeb’s pursuit of one-upmanship and intolerance gradually eroded the wealth and power of the Mughals.
Allies provide a numerical advantage, increasing the size and strength of the combined forces. This can be critical in both offensive and defensive operations, allowing for a more formidable and resilient military presence. The Battle of Waterloo marked Napoleon’s ultimate defeat and brought an end to 23 years of conflict between France and various European powers. This decisive engagement occurred during the Hundred Days of Napoleon’s restoration, where the battle unfolded between Napoleon’s 72,000 troops and the combined forces of the Duke of Wellington’s allied army, consisting of 68,000 soldiers from British, Dutch, Belgian, and German units, along with approximately 45,000 Prussians.
Alliances enable the sharing of resources such as manpower, equipment, intelligence, and technology. This pooling of resources can enhance the overall effectiveness of the allied forces and compensate for individual weaknesses. Another example of this is seen in the Third Battle of Panipat that occurred on January 14, 1761. It involved the Maratha Empire facing a coalition comprising the King of Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah Durrani, along with two Indian allies – the Rohilla Afghans of the Doab and Shuja-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Oudh. The conflict saw the Marathas, equipped with French-supplied artillery and cavalry, confronting the heavy cavalry and mounted artillery of the Afghans and Rohillas. This battle is renowned as one of the largest engagements in the 18th century, with perhaps the highest number of fatalities reported on a single day in a classic formation battle between two armies. Sadashivrao Bhau led the Marathas, gathering an army of 45,000-60,000, accompanied by around 200,000 non-combatants, including pilgrims heading to Hindu holy sites. Shuja-ud-Daula’s decision to join the Afghan-Rohilla coalition in late July, due to strategic considerations and a desire to align with the ‘army of Islam,’ was a significant setback for the Marathas, as Shuja provided crucial financial support to the Afghans. The outcome of the battle was that the Marathas lost. Thus, allies can provide strategic depth by offering bases, logistical support, and access to territories, thereby extending the reach and flexibility of military operations. This can be crucial in terms of launching coordinated attacks or securing supply lines.
Allies can provide diplomatic and economic support, strengthening a nation’s position on the global stage. This support can include political backing, economic aid, and trade agreements, which can be instrumental in sustaining a war effort over the long term. The Soviet Union actively supported India both politically and militarily during the 1971 Bangladesh war, deploying two groups of cruisers and destroyers along with a nuclear-armed submarine in response to the American military presence in the Bay of Bengal. The Task Force 74, which was constituted from the Seventh Fleet of the US Navy, was dispatched to the Bay of Bengal by the Nixon administration during the peak of the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. The Indo-Soviet treaty provided India with protection against potential Chinese intervention in support of Pakistan during the conflict. Recognizing the inevitability of armed Indian intervention and the secession of East Pakistan, Pakistan initiated Operation Chengiz Khan on December 3, officially commencing hostilities in the Indo-Pak War of 1971. In response, India adopted a defensive military strategy on the western front and launched a massive, coordinated, and decisive offensive on the eastern front. On December 5, the United States initiated efforts for a UN-sponsored ceasefire, but the USSR vetoed them twice in the Security Council. India formally acknowledged the independence of Bangladesh on December 16.
Different nations may possess unique strengths, capabilities, or expertise in specific areas, such as technology, intelligence, or special force operations. Allies can bring these specialized skills to the coalition, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the military campaign. The presence of strong alliances can have a psychological impact on both the allies and the opposing forces. It can boost morale, create a sense of unity, and demonstrate a collective resolve, which can be demoralizing for the enemy. The existence of powerful alliances can serve as a deterrent, discouraging potential aggressors from initiating hostilities. The knowledge that an attack on one member of an alliance may trigger a collective response can contribute to regional and global stability. Allies are crucial not only during war but also in the post-conflict phase. Coordinated efforts among allies in the aftermath of a war can contribute to the stabilization of the region, reconstruction efforts, and the establishment of a peace that is more sustainable.
Taking cues from history, focusing on building a network of allies can open doors to new opportunities, whether in personal or professional life. Networking allows one to connect with people who may have valuable knowledge, resources, or connections that can benefit us. Interacting with a diverse group of people exposes one to different perspectives, ideas, and experiences. This can broaden one’s understanding of the world and help develop a better-rounded and informed perspective. Having a network of allies provides a safety net. Knowing that there are people who support and believe in you can boost resilience and help overcome setbacks. The ongoing Israel-Gaza war is a testament of failure of diplomacy where around 1,200 innocent Israeli citizens were killed by the Hamas terrorist outfit and in retaliation nearly 40,000 Gaza civilians including women and children have lost their lives. The big powers of the world are either silent or mute in their approach and the loss of lives continues.
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The author is with the National Public School, HSR Layout, Bengaluru. She has devoted over a decade to teaching. She has been a part of the Curricular Area Group on Social Science by National Syllabus and Teaching-Learning Material Committee. She can be reached at lprachi@npshr.com.
