Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, popularly known as Sam Bahadur (“Sam the Brave”), remains a towering figure in Indian military history. Born on April 3, 1914, Manekshaw’s military career spanned four decades and included service in five wars, beginning with World War II.
Manekshaw’s journey started at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, in 1932. He was commissioned into the 4th Battalion, 12th Frontier Force Regiment, where he showcased exceptional bravery during World War II, earning the Military Cross for gallantry. Post-Partition in 1947, he was reassigned to the 8th Gorkha Rifles.
His leadership skills were further honed during his service in the 1947 Indo-Pakistani War and the Hyderabad crisis. Despite never commanding an infantry battalion, he rose through the ranks, becoming a brigadier and then a major general, eventually serving as the Director of Military Operations.
Manekshaw’s defining moment came in 1969 when he became the seventh Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army. Under his leadership, the Indian forces achieved a historic victory in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. This victory cemented his legacy as a military strategist and a national hero.
Manekshaw was known for his wit and courage. In a life-threatening incident on the battlefield, he was saved by his orderly, Mehar Singh, and an Australian surgeon who operated on him despite grave injuries. Manekshaw’s humorous response to the surgeon, claiming he was “kicked by a mule”, exemplifies his indomitable spirit.
For his distinguished service, Manekshaw was conferred the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan, India’s second and third-highest civilian honours. In January 1973, he was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal, becoming the first Indian Army officer to achieve this rank.
His contributions during the Partition of India in 1947, particularly in handling the Kashmir issue, demonstrate his planning and administrative acumen. Manekshaw’s strategies during the Kashmir conflict and the annexation of Hyderabad were pivotal in shaping India’s post-independence military history.
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw passed away on June 27, 2008, but his legacy as a fearless leader and a strategic genius endures in the annals of Indian military history. His life and career continue to inspire generations of soldiers and civilians alike.
