Galvan Valley is once again in the headlines. This time the reason is not the war with Chinese soldiers but the teaser of Salman Khan starrer film Battle of Galwan and China’s sharp reaction to it. Before this, five years ago, Galvan Valley had come into discussion all over the world because that year the soldiers of Indian and Chinese armies had come face to face. Many officers and soldiers were martyred in this violent clash. China also lost its soldiers. Earlier this valley probably came into discussion when it was discovered.
Let us know the whole story of Galwan Valley, how it got its name, who discovered this valley, its importance, the roots of the dispute and what are the current objections of China?
Ghulam Rasool discovered Galvan Valley
Galwan Valley is a narrow valley flowing between the rugged, snowy hills of Ladakh, which has been a symbol of the India-China border dispute for decades. The name of Galwan Valley is believed to be linked to Ghulam Rasool Galwan, a Kashmiri pony man and guide of the late nineteenth century.
During the British Raj, when European explorers were preparing maps of the unknown valleys of Ladakh and Karakoram, Kashmiri, Ladakhi and Balti guides were their backbone. One of them was Ghulam Rasool Galwan, who was involved in many campaigns. Various Kashmiri and Ladakhi traditions mention that Galwan discovered a difficult route, which helped connect the Shyok and Galwan river areas.
Ghulam Rasool Galwan, resident of Ladakh, was born in 1878.
Locally, this route and river came to be known as Galwan Nala/Galwan River after his name. With time this name became popular for the entire valley. In this way, the name of a common Kashmiri guide is today inscribed on one of the most sensitive strategic places in Asia.
How special is Galwan Valley and why?
Galwan Valley is not just a beautiful hilly area, but is an important link in the geopolitical equation of India, China and Central Asia, South Asia at large. This area is very important from strategic point of view. It is here that the Galwan River meets the Shyok River and this entire area is very close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC). From here, the security of India’s Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) air strip and the roads connecting to it is directly affected.
This road connects Siachen, Karakoram Pass and Durbuk Shyok DBO route in the north. Galwan Valley is situated at an altitude of about 1415 thousand feet or more above sea level. Snow, lack of oxygen, strong winds and steep cliffs make it one of the most difficult military fronts in the world. In such a place, every post, every bridge, every road can determine strategic advantage or weakness. Galwan Valley and surrounding areas are important for China from the point of view of strengthening its Tibet Xinjiang Corridor. China has long treated the area as part of its so-called Western Sector, while India considers it part of Ladakh. These conflicting claims are the root of the conflict.
Map of Galwan Valley.
History of Galwan dispute
In June 2020, Galwan Valley witnessed one of the most serious incidents in the history of India-China relations. For the first time since 1967, soldiers lost their lives between the two countries, and that too without any bullets being fired. During April May 2020, China increased its activities near LAC. India accelerated the construction of roads, bridges and other infrastructure, which China viewed with objection. After this, there were several rounds of tension regarding patrolling, setting up tents and retreating.
On the night of 1516 June 2020, a violent clash involving barbed sticks, stones and hand-to-hand combat took place between Indian and Chinese soldiers in the Galwan Valley. India officially acknowledged the martyrdom of 20 Indian soldiers, including the commanding officer of 16 Bihar Regiment, Colonel B. Santosh Babu was also included. China did not admit its losses for a long time, later reporting only 4 soldiers killed, while independent research and reports put Chinese casualties much higher. After this, deep distrust arose in the relations between the two countries. India not only increased counter-deployment on the border, but also banned many Chinese apps and adopted a tough stance at the economic and diplomatic level.
Salman Khan’s film Battle of Galwan
Recently, the teaser of Salman Khan’s film Battle of Galwan was released, in which he is seen as an Indian Army officer, who tells the story of bravery and sacrifice of soldiers keeping the night of Galwan at the centre. According to media reports, he is playing a character inspired by Colonel Santosh Babu in the film. The film is being directed by Apoorva Lakhia and the release date has been fixed for 2026. The teaser shows snowy valleys, scenes of unarmed and baton fighting, passionate speeches among soldiers and slogans of Bharat Mata ki Jai. All this unfolds as an emotional and dramatic adaptation of the real events of the year 2020.
Salman Khan in the film Battle of Galwan.
China’s objection, said- Bollywood is distorting history
Immediately after the trailer was released, Chinese government media and experts reacted sharply to it. According to reports based on China’s official newspaper Global Times, Beijing alleges that the film distorts facts and shows a one-sided Indian narrative. It has also been said that no over-the-top Bollywood drama can change the regional reality of China.
Chinese experts also said that the film Galwan shifts the responsibility of the clash from India and puts it on China. India incites nationalist sentiments through cinema. This film is coming at a time when there was some softening in China-India relations, some Chinese social media comments were even seen satirizing Salman Khan’s look and hairstyle. The overall message from China is that it is viewing this film as a political act, not just entertainment.
Photo of Galwan Valley. Photo: Yawar Nazir/Getty Images
Film art, memory and national self-esteem for India
From the Indian side, it is being seen mainly as a war film based on the sacrifice of soldiers. Galwan 2020 has become a very emotional event in the memory of the Indian people. When hundreds of kilometers away, on a snowy night, soldiers sacrificed their lives in a melee without firing a shot, it was natural to bring that story into cinema.
Indian filmmakers argue that they are paying tribute to the bravery of their soldiers, especially martyr Colonel Santosh Babu and his comrades. Many Indian commentators have linked China’s objection to insecurity and anxiety about narrative control, that is, Beijing does not want the interpretation of Galwan to be recorded in global pop culture from the Indian perspective.
Deep message of Galwan dispute
The whole story of Galwan Valley teaches us lessons at three levels.
- Memory from the colonial period till today: The hard work of Kashmiri guides like Ghulam Rasool Galwan discovered the routes to these mountains. Later, on these same paths, empires, armies and now two modern nations are colliding. One geography can become a platform for many types of politics.
- Ice and fire together in border dispute: Amidst the icy silence of Galwan, both countries are presenting their respective stories to the world through data, satellite images, diplomatic statements, and now films. The real fight is not just over the mountains, but also for control over the story.
- Emerging strategic importance of cinema: Earlier, war stories were limited to books and government documents. Now films and web series shape global opinion. Projects like Battle of Galwan are an indication that India also wants to record its military stories not just in files but on the big screen. Even if the neighboring country finds it uncomfortable.
Galwan Valley. Photo: Yawar Nazir/Getty Images
Galwan Valley, which was once put on the world map by a Kashmiri guide Ghulam Rasool with his sweat and courage, has today become a central symbol for Asian politics, military strategy and cinema. The violent clash of the night in 2020 made it a place of memory for the martyrs, while the upcoming Battle of Galwan in 2026 is an attempt to inscribe it more deeply in the cultural memory.
China’s anger shows that the border dispute is no longer limited to maps and military posts; Every frame of the film has also become a part of diplomacy. In the coming years, Galwan Valley will probably witness many more decisions, agreements and stories that will change the direction of India-China relations, but one thing is clear amidst all this, the name of this valley and the memories associated with it are now permanently registered in the consciousness of the Indian people.
Also read: What is the connection of Battle of Galwan with Birsa Munda, Salman Khan raised slogan