From Reveille To Retreat – An Autobiography

Reveille to Retreat is an inspiring biography of Lieutenant General S. P. P. Thorat — one of India’s most distinguished and visionary Army officers. Through this engaging narrative, readers are taken on a journey across some of the most defining moments of the twentieth century — a period marked by global upheavals and India’s own struggle for freedom, partition, and the wars that shaped its destiny.

Set against the backdrop of momentous events such as World War II, India’s Independence movement, the Partition of 1947, the Indo-Pak War of 1947–48, the Korean War, and the Sino-Indian War of 1962, this book chronicles General Thorat’s remarkable military career and personal journey. His leadership, foresight, and unwavering commitment to the ideals of courage, honour, and self-sacrifice made him a soldier-statesman of rare calibre.

Beyond his military achievements, Reveille to Retreat also reveals the human side of General Thorat — a man of adventure, who found joy in the pursuits of shikar and angling, and who carried the same spirit of discipline and curiosity into every aspect of his life.

This book is both a tribute to a great soldier and a chronicle of an era that tested India’s resilience and spirit. It stands as a testament to the values of integrity, balance, and devotion to duty that defined Lieutenant General Thorat and continue to inspire generations of Indians.