Indian troops gathered around a carrier, 1947

Photograph, India, 1947.

The division of the Indian Army in 1947 was overseen by Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck. Around 260,000 men, mainly Hindus and Sikhs, went to India and 140,000 men, mainly Muslims, went to Pakistan. Many British officers stayed on to assist in the transition, including General Sir Robert Lockhart, India's first Chief of Army Staff. General Sir Frank Messervy became Pakistan's first Chief of Army Staff.