Manoj Naravane pens new book, draws inspiration from Shashi Tharoor

A chance encounter with Shashi Tharoor’s book A Wonderland of Words two years ago inspired former Army chief Manoj Naravane to write his latest work—an engaging dive into the lesser-known, quirky and often fascinating aspects of India’s armed forces.

Naravane’s new book, The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries, brings together anecdotes, legends and traditions from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The former general, who also made headlines over his unpublished memoir Four Stars of Destiny, says the idea took shape after he was struck by Tharoor’s exploration of the peculiarities of the English language.

“If such a captivating book could be written on the quirks of language, why not one on the Indian Army?” Naravane writes, recalling how the concept lingered before he began working on it seriously in 2025.

Published by Rupa Publications, the book highlights intriguing stories—from the origins of the popular cheer “Chak de phatte” in Sikh military history to the backstory of the marching song “Badluram ka Badan.”

The latter traces back to Rifleman Badluram of the Assam Regiment, who was killed during the Battle of Kohima. In a striking twist of fate, his name reportedly remained on ration rolls, creating surplus supplies that later helped sustain troops when they were besieged. The story eventually inspired the regiment’s iconic marching song, still performed at ceremonies in Shillong.

Naravane says he aimed to keep the book accessible and anecdotal rather than academic, while still reflecting the ethos of military life. Many of the stories, he notes, are rooted in real events but have evolved over time through retelling.

The goal, he adds, is to bridge the gap between civilians and the armed forces by bringing these stories to life in an engaging way—not as a scholarly text, but as an entertaining and insightful read.

Meanwhile, amid reports of unauthorised circulation of Four Stars of Destiny, Penguin Random House India has reiterated that it holds exclusive rights and that the memoir has not yet been officially published.