The Last Garrison

Even as the centre mulls over abolishing cantonments, the fact is that they have played a crucial role in securing the country against enemies and terrorists and should be guarded at all costs

- Praful Bakshi

RECENTLY, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) sought comments on the abolition of cantonments from all cantonment boards. This surprising development is likely to compromise the security of the nation and cannot be overlooked.

If one studies the history of ancient India, one will realise that every city was secured and protected by the nation’s army, with the king as the commander-in-chief and the total administration more like the fortified cantonment of today. Many experts still think that a military cantonment is a western concept. In India, the British rulers emphasised segregation between the whites and the natives. Hence, the real military and strategic reason for creating cantonments was shrouded in political and social arguments.

The French expression canton developed into cantonment and indicates a corner or district where winter quarters were established during a military campaign so that army formations could be encamped and trained. The stay here could be much longer than during ordinary tactical manoeuvres. The French canton shares its etymological expression with the Swiss canton.

In the evolution of mankind, security and safety occupy a prominent place. This was mentioned by Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs, which includes physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem and self-actualisation needs. As early as 3000 BC, civilisations in Mesopotamia and India were developed by creation of small towns along rivers with fortified banks and high walls guarded by armed soldiers. The two-fold requirement of this enclosure was protection of people and the wealth of the community.