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YEAR I (2017/2018)

MILITARY HISTORY & STRATEGIC THOUGHT

SYLLABUS FOR STAFF COURSE ENTRANCE EXAM

Stra. Std. 541

Paper: I
Full Marks: 100

PART- I (FOUNDATION 30%)

Units Teaching Hours

1. Relevance of Military History to Teaching of Modern Warfare & Lessons from
Military History.
 Military history for officers.
 War in the future: are old lessons obsolete?
 Value of history.
 Lessons of history.
Required Readings
Army Command & Staff College. (2014). Military History Primer 2014 Chapter I:
Lessons from Military History (p. 18-30).
Evans, M. (1997). The Role of Military History in the Education of Future Officers.
Land Warfare Studies Centre.
Suggested Readings
Army Command & Staff College. (2014). Military History Primer 2014 Chapter I:
The Relevance of Military History to Teaching of Modern Warfare. (p.5-9).
Knox, M., & Murray, W. (2009). The Dynamics of Military Revolution 1300-2050.
Edinburgh: Cambridge University Press.

2. Strategy Past, Present and Future.

 Understanding basic military strategies.
 Studying master strategist, the early annihilators, exhausters and subverts
to modern annihilators.

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Required Readings
Bowdish, R. G. (2013). Military Strategy: Theory and Concepts. Lincoln: A
Dissertation Presented To the Faculty of the Graduate College at the University of
Nebraska in Partial Fulfillment of Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of
Philosophy.
Paret, P. (1986). Makers of Modern Strategy from Machiavelli to the Modern Age.
Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Suggested Reading
Army Command & Staff College. (2014). Military History Primer 2014 Chapter I:
Strategy Past Present and Future. (p. 36-51).

3. Revolutions in Military Affairs (RMA).

 Gunpowder Revolution (1500-1750).
 First Industrial Revolution (1750-1900).
 Second Industrial Revolution (1900-1945).
 Nuclear and Information Revolution (1945- Onwards).
Required Reading
Boot, M. (2007).War made New: Weapons, Warriors, and the Making of the Modern
World. USA: Penguin Groups.
Suggested Reading
Knox, M., & Murray, W. (2009). The Dynamics of Military Revolution 1300-
2050.Edinburgh: Cambridge University Press.

PART- II (CAMPAIGNS AND WARS 50%)

4. Unification Campaign of Nepal (1744-1809 AD). Background, events

leading to the incident, parties to the conflict military/political, order of battle, analysis of
operation in relation to the principles of war and operational art , lessons learnt and their
implication in future warfare. Students are required to understand the basic background
(above mentioned) so as to analyze a particular engagement of a greater war or campaign.

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 Foundation of Unification Campaign 1744-1769 AD (Battle of Nuwakot 1744

AD, Battle of Kirtipur 1757 AD, Battle of Sindhuli 1767 AD, Conquest of
Kathmandu Valley 1768-1769 AD).
 Expansion of Unification Campaign 1769-1792 AD (Eastern Campaign 1770-
1775 AD, Western Campaign 1780-1792 AD).
 Climax of the Campaign 1803-1809 AD (Battle of Kangada 1806-1809 AD).
Required Readings
Stiller, L. F. (1970). The Rise of the House of Gorkha, a study in the unification of
Nepal 1768-1816.New Delhi: Manjusri Publishing House.
Vaidya , T. R .(1940). Prithvinarayan Shah, the Founder of Modern Nepal. New
Delhi: Anmol Publication.
Suggested Readings
Bajracharya, B.R.(1992). Bahadur Shah the Regent of Nepal. New Delhi: Anmol
Publication.
Sharma, S.P.,Vaidya T.R., Manandhar , T. & others (2049 B.S.). Nepalko Sainik
Ethihas. Kathmandu: Royal Nepal Army Headquarters.
Stiller, L. F. (1970). The Unification of Nepal, A Study of the Early Shah Period
from Prithvi Narayan Shah to Girbana Yuddha: Kathmandu.

5. Allied Invasion of Europe 1944. Background, events leading to the incident,

parties to the conflict military/political, order of battle, analysis of operation in relation to
the principles of war and operational art , lessons learnt & their implication in future warfare.
Students are required to understand the basic background (above mentioned) so as to analyze
a particular engagement of a greater war or campaign.
 Operations Body Guard (1940-1944 AD).
 Operations Neptune (1944 AD).
 Operations Market Garden (1944 AD).
Required Readings
Chandler, D. A. (1944). Operations Market Garden. Sandhurst, UK: The Osprey
Campaign Series by Department of War Studies Royal Military Academy.

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Emmett, J.C. (2002). Operations Overlord. Louisiana: A Thesis Submitted to the

Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University. USA.
Suggested Reading
Warren, J. C. (1956). Airborne Operations in World War II European Theater. USA:
US Air Force Historical Division Research Studies Institute Air University.

6. Sri Lankan Insurgency. Background, events leading to the incident, parties to

the conflict military/political, order of battle, analysis of operation in relation to the
principles of war and operational art , lessons learnt and their implication in future warfare.
Students are required to understand the basic background (above mentioned) so as to analyze
a particular engagement of a greater war or campaign.
 Phase I: Black July, Eelam War I, & Emergence of Tigers (1976–1986).
 Phase II: IPKF Intervention Goes Awry (1987–1990).
 Phase III: Eelam War II (1990–April 1995).
 Phase IV: Eelam War III (May 1995–2001).
 Phase V: Karuna’s Defection & Death of Prabhakaran (2002–2009).
Required Readings
Christine, F.C. (2004). Urban Battle Fields of South Asia Lessons Learned from Sri
Lanka, India, and Pakistan.USA: RAND Corporation.
Paul C., Colin P., Clarke B & Dunigan G M. (2013). Paths to Victory Detailed
Insurgency Case Studies.USA: RAND Corporation.
Suggested Readings
Hashim, A. S. (2013). When Counterinsurgency Wins: Sri Lanka's Defeat of the
Tamil Tigers. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press.
Moorcroft, P. (2014).Total Destruction of the Tamil Tigers: The Rare Victory of Sri
Lanka's Long War. Pen and Sword Publication.
Povlock, A. P. (2011). A Guerilla War At Sea: The Sri Lankan Civil War. Newport:
Naval War College, Joint Military Operations Department.

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PART- III (STRATEGIC THINKERS AND THEIR THOUGHTS 20% )

7. Prithvi Narayan Shah: As Strategic Leader with reference to Unification Campaign of

Nepal.

8. Eisenhower: As Strategist/Military Leader with reference to Allied Invasion in

Europe.
9. Mao: As Military leader with reference to Strategy of Peoples War.

Required Readings
Vaidya, T. R. (1940). Prithvi Narayan Shah, the Founder of Modern Nepal. New
Delhi: Anmol Publication
Ambrose, S.E. (1991). Eisenhower: Soldier and President (The Renowned One-
Volume Life). New York: Routledge.
Chang, J., & Holliday, J. (2006). Mao: The Unknown Story.UK: Jonathan Cape
Publisher.

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YEAR II (2018/2019)

MILITARY HISTORY & STRATEGIC THOUGHTS

SYLLABUS FOR STAFF COURSE ENTRANCE EXAM

Stra. Std. 541

Paper: I
Full Marks: 100

PART- I (FOUNDATION 30%)

Units Teaching Hours

1. Relevance of Military History to Teaching of Modern Warfare & Lessons from
Military History.
 Military history for officers.
 War in the future: are old lessons obsolete?
 Value of history.
 Lessons of history.
Required Readings
Army Command & Staff College. (2014). Military History Primer 2014 Chapter I:
Lessons from Military History (p. 18-30).
Evans, M. (1997). The Role of Military History in the Education of Future Officers.
Land Warfare Studies Centre.
Suggested Readings
Army Command & Staff College. (2014). Military History Primer 2014 Chapter I:
The Relevance of Military History to Teaching of Modern Warfare. (p.5-9).
Knox, M., & Murray, W. (2009). The Dynamics of Military Revolution 1300-2050.
Edinburgh: Cambridge University Press.

2. Strategy Past, Present and Future.

 Understanding basic military strategies.
 Studying master strategist, the early annihilators, exhausters and subverts

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to modern annihilators.
Required Readings
Bowdish, R. G. (2013). Military Strategy: Theory and Concepts. Lincoln: A
Dissertation Presented To the Faculty of the Graduate College at the University of
Nebraska in Partial Fulfillment of Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of
Philosophy.
Paret, P. (1986). Makers of Modern Strategy from Machiavelli to the Modern Age.
Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Suggested Reading
Army Command & Staff College. (2014). Military History Primer 2014 Chapter I:
Strategy Past Present and Future. (p. 36-51).

3. Revolutions in Military Affairs (RMA).

 Gunpowder Revolution (1500-1750).
 First Industrial Revolution (1750-1900).
 Second Industrial Revolution (1900-1945).
 Nuclear and Information Revolution (1945- Onwards).
Required Reading
Boot, M. (2007).War made New: Weapons, Warriors, and the Making of the Modern
World. USA: Penguin Groups.
Suggested Reading
Knox, M., & Murray, W. (2009). The Dynamics of Military Revolution 1300-
2050.Edinburgh: Cambridge University Press.

PART- II (CAMPAIGNS AND WARS 50%)

4. Nepal-Tibet-China War. Background, events leading to the incident, parties to

the conflict military/political, order of battle, analysis of operation in relation to the
principles of war and operational art, lessons learnt & their implication in future warfare.
Students are required to understand the basic background (above mentioned) to analyze a
particular engagement of war or campaign.

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 First Nepal-Tibet War (1788 AD).

 Second Nepal-Tibet-China War (1791-1792 AD).
 Third Nepal-Tibet War (1855-1856 AD).
Required Readings
Manandhar, V. K. (2004). A Comparative History of Nepal China Relations to 1955.
New Delhi: Adroit Publishers.
Uprety, P. R. (1980). Nepal Tibet Relations 1985-1930: Years of Hopes, Challenges
and Frustrations. Kathmandu: Puga Nara.
Suggested Readings
Baidhya T.R., Manandhar , B.K., & Basnyat P.S. (2008). Nepal Ko Sainik Itihas Vol
II. Kathmandu: Nepal Army Headquarters.
Gulati, M. N. (2003). Tibet Wars through Sikkim, Bhutan and Nepal: New Delhi:
Manas Publication.
Rajbhandari, M. (1972). A study of the Nepal-Tibet war of 1792: Kathmandu.

5. Burma Campaign II WW. Background, events leading to the incident, parties to

the conflict military/political, order of battle, analysis of operation in relation to the
principles of war and operational art, lessons learnt and their implication in future warfare.
Students are required to understand the basic background (above mentioned) to analyze a
particular engagement of a greater war or campaign.
 Turning the Tide in Burma.
 The Battle of Irrawaddy Shore.
 The Rangoon Race and the Last Battle.
Required Readings
Slim, W. (1981). Defeat into Victory. Unabridged Edition. Dehradun: Natraj
Publishers.
Wheeler, M. E. (1996). What Lessons Does The Burma Campaign Hold? USA: A
paper submitted to the Faculty of the Naval War College in partial satisfaction of the
requirements of the Department of Operations.

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Suggested Readings
Redding, T. (2011). The war in the wilderness, the Chindits in Burma 1943-1944.
The history Press.
Young, E.M. (2004). Meiktila 1945: Battle to liberate Burma. UK: Osprey
Publication.

6. Vietnam War 1965-1975. Background, events leading to the incident, parties to

the conflict military/political, order of battle, analysis of operation in relation to the
principles of war and operational art , lessons learnt and their implication in future warfare.
Students are required to understand the basic background (above mentioned) so as to analyze
a particular engagement of a greater war or campaign.
 Battle of Khe Sanh (1967-1968 AD).
 Tet Offensive (1968 AD).
Required Readings
E O’ Ballance. (1995). The Wars in Vietnam 1954-1973: Dehradun: Natraj
Publishers.
Gregg, J. (2015). The Last Stand at Khe Sanh: the US Marines Finest Hours in
Vietnam. USA: Persues Book Group.
Turner, C. A. (1992). American Leadership and Decision-Making Failures in the Tet
Offensive: Annapolis: A thesis presented to the Faculty of the U.S. Army Command
and General Staff College, Naval Academy.
Suggested Reading
Starr, J. M. (1991).The Lessons of the Vietnam War. Pittsburgh: Center for Social
Studies Education, Pittsburgh.

PART- III (STRATEGIC THINKERS AND THEIR THOUGHTS 20%)

7. Field Marshal William Slim: As Military Strategist /Leader with reference to Burma
Campaign World War II.
8. Gen Giap: As Military Leader/Strategist with reference to Vietnam War.

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10

9. Kautilya: As Military Strategist with reference to Arthashastra.

Required Readings
Slim, W. (2009).Defeat into Victory.UK: Pan Publisher.
MacDonald, P. G. (1993). Giap: The Victor in Vietnam. New York: W W Norton &
Co publication.
Shamasastry, R. (2016).Kautilya's: Arthashastra.

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11

YEAR III (2019/2020)

MILITARY HISTORY & STRATEGIC THOUGHT

SYLLABUS FOR STAFF COURSE ENTRANCE EXAM

Stra. Std. 541

Paper: I
Full Marks: 100

PART- I (FOUNDATION 30 %)

Units Teaching Hours

1. Relevance of Military History to Teaching of Modern Warfare & Lessons from
Military History.
 Military history for officers.
 War in the future: are old lessons obsolete?
 Value of history.
 Lessons of history.
Required Readings
Army Command & Staff College. (2014). Military History Primer 2014 Chapter I:
Lessons from Military History (p. 18-30).
Evans, M. (1997). The Role of Military History in the Education of Future Officers.
Land Warfare Studies Centre.
Suggested Readings
Army Command & Staff College. (2014). Military History Primer 2014 Chapter I:
The Relevance of Military History to Teaching of Modern Warfare. (p.5-9).
Knox, M., & Murray, W. (2009). The Dynamics of Military Revolution 1300-2050.
Edinburgh: Cambridge University Press.

2. Strategy Past, Present and Future.

 Understanding basic military strategies.
 Studying master strategist, the early annihilators, exhausters and subverts
to modern annihilators.

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12

Required Readings
Bowdish, R. G. (2013). Military Strategy: Theory and Concepts. Lincoln: A
Dissertation Presented To the Faculty of the Graduate College at the University of
Nebraska in Partial Fulfillment of Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of
Philosophy.
Paret, P. (1986). Makers of Modern Strategy from Machiavelli to the Modern Age.
Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Suggested Reading
Army Command & Staff College. (2014). Military History Primer 2014 Chapter I:
Strategy Past Present and Future. (p. 36-51).

3. Revolutions in Military Affairs (RMA).

 Gunpowder Revolution (1500-1750).
 First Industrial Revolution (1750-1900).
 Second Industrial Revolution (1900-1945).
 Nuclear and Information Revolution (1945- Onwards).
Required Reading
Boot, M. (2007).War made New: Weapons, Warriors, and the Making of the Modern
World. USA: Penguin Groups.
Suggested Reading
Knox, M., & Murray, W. (2009). The Dynamics of Military Revolution 1300-
2050.Edinburgh: Cambridge University Press.

PART- II (CAMPAIGNS AND WARS 50 %)

4. Anglo -Nepal War (1814-1816). Background, events leading to the incident,

parties to the conflict military/political, order of battle, analysis of operation in relation to
the principles of war and operational art , lessons learnt and their implication in future
warfare. The students are required to understand the basic background (above mentioned) so
as to analyze a particular engagement of a greater war or campaign.

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13

Eastern Theatre of War

 Dinapur –Makwanpur Front and Battle of Parsha and Samanpur.
 Gorakhpur-Butwal Front and Battle of Jithgadh.
Western Theatre of War
 Saharanpur-Kumaon Front and Battle of Nalapani.
 Mojamand-Sirmoor Front and Battle of Jaithak.
 Rupar-Malaun Front and Battle of Deuthal.
Required Readings
John, P. (1971). The Invasion of Nepal. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Khanduri, B. C. (1997). A Rediscovered History of Gorkhas. New Delhi: Gyan
Shagar Publication.
Suggested Readings
Manandar, T., Mishra, T.P., Panta D. Rathor K.R.S, & Pangeni B. (2008). Nepali
Senako Etihas. Kathmandu: Jangi Adda.
Rana, N.R. L. (1970). The Anglo Gorkha War (1814-1816).
Rose, L. E. (2010). Nepa's Strategy for Survival. Kathmandu: Mandala Book Point.

5. Gulf War I (1990-1991). Background, events leading to the incident, parties to

the conflict military/political, order of battle, analysis of operation in relation to the
principles of war and operational art, lessons learnt and their implication in future warfare.
Students are required to understand the basic background (above mentioned) to analyze a
particular engagement of a greater war or campaign.
 The Air War
 The land War
 The Naval Operations
Required Readings
Craft, D. W. (1992). An Operational Analysis of the Persian Gulf
War.USA:Submitted to Faculty of Strategic Studies Institution U.S. Army War
College.
Watson, B.W., George B., Tsouras P., & Cyr BL. (1993). Military Lessons of Gulf
War. New Delhi: Central Electric Press.

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14

Suggested Readings
Kimberly, C. A. (1992). Press Coverage of the Persian Gulf War: Historical
Perspectives and Questions of Policy beyond the Shadow of Vietnam. California: A
thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master Of
Arts in National Security Affairs.
Lamberth , B. S. (1993). Winning of air supremacy in Operations Desert Storm.
USA: RAND Publications.

6. Malaya Insurgency. Background, events leading to the incident, parties to the

conflict military/political, order of battle, analysis of operation in relation to the principles
of war and operational art, lessons learnt and their implication in future warfare. Students are
required to understand the basic background (above mentioned) to analyze a particular
engagement of a greater war or campaign.
 The First Emergency 1948-1960 AD.
 The Second MCP Insurgency 1968-1989 AD.
Required Readings
Komer, R. W. (1972).The Malaya Emergency in Retrospect: Organization of
Successful Counterinsurgency Effort. California. USA. Report Prepared for Advance
Research Project Agency RAND Santa Monica CA, by RAND Corporation.
Talib, N B. (2005). Malaysia’s Experience in War against Communist Insurgency
and Its Relevance to the Present Situation in Iraq. USA: A Thesis Submitted In
Partial Fulfillment Of The Requirements For Degree Of Master Of Military Studies
at US Marine Corps Command and Staff College.
Suggested Reading
Fine, W. E. (2010). Winning the Hearts and Minds in Counterinsurgency: The British
approach in Malaya and Oman and the U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan. Kansas: A
Thesis Submitted to University of Kansas in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of Master of Arts.

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15

PART- III (STRATEGIC THINKERS AND THEIR THOUGHTS 20 % )

7. Amar Singh Thapa: As Military Strategist with reference to Anglo-Nepal War 1814-
1816.
8. H. Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. (USA): As Military Strategist with reference to Gulf
War 1990-91.
9. Zhukov: As Military Leader with reference to Second World War.
Required Readings
Joshi, I. (2060). Nepalko Ekikaran Tatha Nepal Angrej Yuddhama Badakaji Amar
Singh Thapako Yogdan – Kathmandu: A thesis submitted to TU, Kirtipur. Norman,
S. H. (1993). It Does Not Take a Hero: RHUS Publication.
Roberts, G. (2012).Stalin's General: The Life of Georgy Zhukov. New York: Random
House Publications.

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