Derek Pullem
Donor
OUR LAND IN THE EASTThe Untimely End of the British Raj and the Rise of the Republic of India
CHAPTER I
THE UGLY BIRTH OF A NATION
- AUGUST 15, 1937 - India Declares Independence; The Indian War of Independence Starts; India Receives diplomatic recognition from the United States.
- AUGUST 16-SEPTEMBER 5, 1937 - Through the War of Independence, India Successfully repels the British military forces and prevents the restoration of the British Raj; furthermore, it conquers Ceylon (Now the Governor's Province of Sri Lanka), Nepal (Now broken into the Governor's Provinces of Dhankuta, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Birendranagar, and Dipayal), Portuguese India (Now broken into the Chief Commisioner's Provinces of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and the Governor's Province of Goa), Sikkim (Now a Princely State), and Bhutan (Now a Princely State). Thus begins the First stage of the 28-year-long dissolution of the British Empire.
Oh dear.
In 16 days India has taken its HUGE military force of 200,000 soldiers (less all of the officer ranks and specialists - say 50,00 British), virtually no air force and 8 warships all smaller than a destroyer and have conquered Ceylon, Tibet and Bhutan
This is completely ridiculous and has no credibility whatsoever. It would take more than 16 days to get to Lhasa with any substantive forces.
And as for getting to Ceylon against the Indian Ocean squadrons of the RN with more cruisers than the Indians have warships (and that counts a sloop and a minesweeper as a warship) - forget it.
As for USA recognizing an Indian state explicitly stating its aims to set up a new empire in place of the British - not going to happen.
Shame because an early independent India is a fun thing to throw around but this TL needs a big reality check before it goes much further.