Abstract: India and Pakistan were ideologically different states but shared same military heritage at the time of independence from British colonial rule in 1947. The military in British India served as its strong shield, but avoided an active involvement in politics and largely accepted the principle of supremacy of civilian elites. The Indian military retained this tradition but Pakistan reflected a major shift. This paper deals largely with the theories of various scholars like Huntington, Fitch, Larry Diamond, and Douglas. C. North for the purpose of generalizing the reasons behind this difference in approach adopted by two neighboring states in terms of various socio-political and religious factors. Further on, this research aims at providing the list of checks and balances required for preventing unwarranted military intervention in domestic politics.

Keywords: Civil-Military Relations, Democracy, Military Coups , Authoritarianism, Pakistan Army, Indian Army, Military Intervention, Political Legitimacy ,Civilian Control, Military Dictatorship, Garrison State, Military Governance, Democratic Transition, Military Economy, Nationalism, State-Building, Military’s Role in Development Civilian Authority.