IF I HAVE TO BE A SOLDIER Paperback

In If I Have to Be a Soldier, debut author Nikhil J. Alva delivers a gripping tale set against the backdrop of the 1966 Mizo uprising—a largely overlooked chapter in India's history. The novel follows Indian Army Captain Samuel Rego, who returns to the land he once fled to interrogate a captured rebel leader, only to discover that the prisoner is Sena, his childhood friend. As the two men become fugitives, they are forced to confront their shared past and the moral complexities of war. Alva's narrative weaves themes of identity, loyalty, and redemption, offering readers a poignant exploration of friendship and the human cost of conflict. This compelling story not only sheds light on a forgotten war but also resonates with contemporary discussions about national identity and personal conscience.