PVLF 2026

Interview With Madhulika Thapa Monga, Author of The Warrior Gorkha

The Warrior Gorkha is a powerful tale of Lt. Col. Dhan Singh Thapa’s valour, resilience, and legacy an inspiring story of courage against all odds.
on Aug 19, 2025

Frontlist: This book is not just a biography—it feels like a battle cry echoing through generations. When did you first feel the inner call to tell your father’s story? Was there a moment when memory turned into a mission?

Madhulika: The inner call to tell my father’s story started with my cancer journey. In 2021, when I was diagnosed with colon cancer, I just wanted to give up. Give my life up. I felt there was nothing to live for, and then my father’s life became an inspiration to me. I decided to fight to live. The fact that I was so inspired by him I felt his story could and would inspire the youth today and make them realize how one can fight against all odds and come up a winner like my father did not only in war but in life too. This book The Warrior Gorkha talks about his life and how he overcame all his challenges without any bitterness and became the real life’s real hero!

Frontlist: Lt. Col. Dhan Singh Thapa’s final stand at Sirijap is the stuff of legend. As his daughter, how did you balance the deeply personal emotions of loss and pride with the need to narrate his story objectively for a wider audience?

Madhulika: Lt. Col Dhan Singh Thapa’s final stand at Sirijap is truly the stuff of legend. His words that night of the gory battle, before his radio got blown apart… still echo in the mountains for all the soldiers to hear. He said, “Neither will I withdraw nor will I surrender .

It’s been so rightly said by Elmer Davis for all the great nations, “This nation will remain the land of the free so long as it is the home of the brave .

Frontlist: Many know of the Kargil War or 1971, but 1962 often feels like a buried chapter. Why do you think the heroism at Sirijap deserves more national recognition, and what role can this book play in reviving that collective memory?

Madhulika: All the Wars fought by India and her soldiers are mighty achievements, but in 1962, we were fighting a staggeringly bigger enemy. The equipment, clothing, and weapons were not as good as those of the enemies. The climate was terrible, very harsh, but our soldiers gave back as good as they got despite the many odds. If we all imagine ourselves in this situation, we will all conclude that it was a war not to be forgotten. I do hope that this book and its portrayal of the condition and situation of 1962 war will make people realize, remember and respect our soldiers who fought this terrible war.

Frontlist: In portraying your father's bravery and the ethos of the 1/8 Gorkha Rifles, what deeper values of loyalty, discipline, and cultural pride did you hope to preserve?

Madhulika: Gorkhas are known for their FEARLESSNESS all over the world. As Sam Manekshaw said, ”If anyone says he is not afraid of death. Either he is lying or he is a Gorkha.” Gorkha soldiers are known for their discipline, stoicism, endurance, bravery, and power in the most challenging circumstances. This book ‘s hero is an example of all these qualities. He led by example, and his soldiers followed. Even in prison, he was fearless, as related by his mates in the camp. I hope my book revives the slowly disappearing loyalties and cultural pride, a pride that encompasses love and respect for our country. We constantly need acts of valour and inspirational stories to hone these finer emotions. Even if just one person feels motivated by my book, I will feel blessed.

Frontlist: As a cancer survivor, this book feels like an act of parallel resilience—telling the story of a warrior while being one yourself. How did your personal journey of healing and courage influence the writing of this book?

Madhulika: I have always been inspired by my father. He has always been my Hero. While I was going through my cancer journey and reflecting on the whys, the whats, and the hows, I thought of my father, my Hero, and how he had faced such a formidable and gruelling time, so I thought, why can’t I also overcome this traumatic time in my life with a smile? Writing this book healed me because it stimulated and inspired me more than ever to get out of my condition with a smile. It helped me reaffirm that yes, I too have a small dose of my father’s mental and physical strength.

My father would always attend the Republic Day parade even in his last years of illness. He believed he was representing his men and his unit and honouring all his men who laid down their lives for their country.

Frontlist: How do you see The Warrior Gorkha fitting into the larger narrative of Indian patriotism in literature? What does it offer to the canon of military biographies?

Madhulika: The Warrior Gorkha is about a Gorkha warrior who fought in one of the frontmost posts. If you look at it objectively, given the circumstances and the conditions (The tough raw terrain, the subzero temperature, the sharp icy winds the poor uniforms in such climatic conditions the suddenness of the war the non-preparedness for it, on top of it fighting an enemy that was much larger in number and better equipped and better prepared. This kind of bravery should go down in the annals of military history not only in India but worldwide.

Frontlist: How do you hope young readers—especially those who know little about 1962 or Ladakh—engage with this book? What questions should they begin to ask about bravery, sacrifice, and service?

Madhulika: The Warrior Gorkha is a true story about a man who did not give up or give in. A leader who was beside his men, under the rain of fire and men who were with their leader all through it. A real story about real-life heroes who went beyond the call of duty. They went on to the face of death with sheer boldness, huge valour, daring and nerves of steel.

At the end, I would want every reader, young and old (because courage is not the prerogative of only the youth), to close their eyes, imagine themselves in such circumstances, and ask themselves whether they would have given up …given in?

Tough question…

But in life, everyone is battling their own battles. I hope that this book inspires them not to give up, however insurmountable the odds may be.

To overcome their challenges and emerge as a stronger and better person.

I also hope and want that everyone to realize that they can do their bit for their country in any little way. They don’t have to fight great battles; each and every one’s small gesture will help in making India a greater country.

Today’s youth that is the future of our country should feel and realize the kind of despair situations our soldiers have fought in and that they themselves can contribute by discipline and fortitude to fight against corruption, pollution, injustice ……should follow law and order. Be kind and helpful, to love their country….I want them to realize how important our love for our country is ……If my book about my father touches any heart, any emotion or soul, then this is what I ask for a better and beautiful India, whose safety and security it will be worth sacrificing our lives for.