Article summary
Abstract
The partition of British India in 1947 marked a significant turning point in the
history of the Indian Navy, reshaping its organizational structure, operational
capabilities, and strategic outlook. The division of the Royal Indian Navy’s assets
between India and Pakistan involved the allocation of warships, naval establishments,
dockyard facilities, equipment, and personnel, creating a range of administrative,
logistical, and operational challenges for the newly independent Indian state. This study
examines the process of naval partition and its implications for the development of the
Indian Navy between 1947 and 1962. It explores the immediate effects of asset
redistribution, personnel shortages, and institutional reorganization, while situating
these developments within the broader context of post-independence nation-building
and defence planning. The study also investigates the constraints imposed by limited
financial resources, the relatively low priority accorded to maritime defence in the early
years of independence, and the challenges involved in establishing an independent
naval command structure. Despite these difficulties, the Indian Navy gradually
strengthened its institutional framework through modernization, professional training,
and strategic adaptation. Drawing upon official records, parliamentary debates,
government documents, memoirs, and secondary literature, this paper argues that
although partition initially weakened India’s naval capabilities, it also created conditions
that encouraged organizational reform and long-term growth. The study demonstrates
that the experience of partition played a crucial role in shaping the foundations, identity,
and strategic direction of the Indian Navy during the formative years of independent
India.