New Delhi, Aug. 15 -- "At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom," declared India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, near midnight on August 14, 1947. The next morning, India woke up as a free nation after nearly two centuries of struggle against colonial rule.

79 years ago, at independence, Indian defence was defined by the complex transition from a colonial military to a national force, while foreign policy prioritised integrating princely states and peaceful diplomacy.

Partition divided military assets between India and Pakistan in an approximate 64:36 ratio, with India receiving roughly 70% of the army, 80% of the air force, and 60% of the navy.

Unlike Pakistan, India imm...