Introduction
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, affectionately known as Sam Bahadur, left an indelible mark on the Indian military landscape through a distinguished career spanning multiple decades. Born on April 3, 1914, he entered the Indian Military Academy in 1932 and was commissioned into the 4th Battalion, 12th Frontier Force Regiment. Manekshaw’s valor during World War II earned him the Military Cross. Following the partition of India in 1947, he transitioned to the 8th Gorkha Rifles and played crucial roles in the 1947 Indo-Pakistani War and the Hyderabad crisis.
Despite not commanding an infantry battalion, Manekshaw rose to the rank of brigadier while serving at the Military Operations Directorate. His career advanced as he attended the Imperial Defence College, assumed the role of General Officer Commanding of the 26th Infantry Division, and served as the commandant of the Defence Services Staff College. Promoted to army commander in 1963, he initially led the Western Command and later the Eastern Command in 1964. His pinnacle achievement came in 1969 when he became the seventh Chief of the Army Staff.
Under Manekshaw’s leadership, the Indian military achieved resounding success in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, resulting in the creation of Bangladesh in December 1971. His exceptional contributions were acknowledged with the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan, the second and third highest civilian awards in India. Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw’s legacy endures as a symbol of exemplary leadership and strategic brilliance in the annals of Indian military history.
Early Life
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw’s early life and education were marked by his Parsi heritage and a family that moved to Amritsar, Punjab, from Mumbai. Born on April 3, 1914, to Hormizd and Hilla Manekshaw, Sam was the fifth of six children. His father, Hormizd, a doctor, served in the British Indian Army during the Second World War. Sam’s siblings pursued careers in engineering, teaching, and the armed forces. Sam, mischievous and high-spirited in his youth, initially aspired to become a doctor like his father.
Sam Manekshaw’s educational journey took him to Sherwood College, Nainital, where he completed his primary schooling. In 1929, at the age of 15, he left Sherwood College with his Junior Cambridge Certificate. He then went on to pass his Senior Cambridge exams with distinction in 1931. Despite his early ambition to study medicine in London, his father’s refusal due to financial constraints led him to enroll in Hindu Sabha College (now Hindu College, Amritsar). In April 1932, he passed his final exams with a third division in science.
Around this time, the Indian Military College Committee, chaired by Field Marshal Sir Philip Chetwode, recommended the establishment of a military academy in India. Manekshaw, rebelling against his father’s decision, applied for the entrance exams to the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Delhi. His act of rebellion paid off when, on October 1, 1932, he was selected as one of the fifteen cadets through open competition, ranking sixth in the order of merit. This marked the beginning of Manekshaw’s military journey, setting the stage for an illustrious career that would span multiple wars and culminate in his becoming the Chief of the Army Staff and India’s first Field Marshal.
Military Career
Selected as part of the inaugural batch of cadets at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Sam Manekshaw, nicknamed “The Pioneers,” commenced his military training on October 1, 1932, although the academy’s official inauguration occurred on December 10, 1932. In his class, he was alongside notable future military leaders such as Smith Dun and Muhammad Musa Khan, who would become commanders-in-chief of Burma and Pakistan, respectively. Manekshaw’s time at the IMA was marked by his wit, and he achieved several significant milestones. He was the first graduate to join a Gorkha regiment, the first to serve as the Chief of the Army Staff of India, and eventually became the first to attain the prestigious rank of field marshal. Out of the 40 cadets inducted, only 22 successfully completed the course and were commissioned as second lieutenants on February 1, 1935, with antedated seniority from February 4, 1934.
Upon commissioning, Manekshaw followed the standard practice of being initially attached to a British regiment before joining an Indian unit. He first joined the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots, stationed in Lahore, and later served with the 4th Battalion, 12th Frontier Force Regiment, stationed in Burma. In May 1938, he was appointed quartermaster of his company. Fluent in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, English, and Gujarati, Manekshaw qualified as a Higher Standard army interpreter in Pashto in October 1938.
Manekshaw’s military career expanded during World War II, where he received acting or temporary ranks of captain and major due to a shortage of qualified officers. He participated in the Burma campaign in 1942 with the 4th Battalion, 12th Frontier Force Regiment, displaying exceptional bravery during the fighting around Pagoda Hill at the Sittang River. Despite sustaining severe casualties, his company, under his leadership, successfully counter-attacked the Imperial Japanese Army and captured the strategic position. During this battle, Manekshaw was seriously wounded in the stomach by machine gun fire. Major General David Cowan, witnessing Manekshaw’s valor, awarded him the Military Cross, pinning his own ribbon on him with the remark, “A dead person cannot be awarded a Military Cross.” This act of bravery and recognition was officially documented in the London Gazette on April 21, 1942. The details of the citation, however, were not disclosed publicly.
Chief of Army staff
In June 1969, General P. P. Kumaramangalam retired as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), creating a vacancy for this crucial position. Despite being the most senior army commander at the time, Lieutenant General Harbaksh Singh was initially favored by Defence Minister Sardar Swaran Singh, especially for his significant role as the GOC-in-C of the Western Command during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. However, against this preference, on June 8, 1969, Sam Manekshaw was appointed as the eighth Chief of the Army Staff.
During his tenure as COAS, Manekshaw played a pivotal role in transforming the Indian Army into a highly efficient military force. Notably, he opposed a plan to reserve positions in the army for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Despite being a member of the Parsi community, a minority group in India, Manekshaw firmly believed that such a practice would compromise the army’s ethos. He advocated for equal opportunities for all, emphasizing merit and competence over any form of reservation based on social or ethnic considerations.
In July 1969, while serving as COAS, Manekshaw visited a battalion of the 8 Gorkha Rifles. During this visit, he asked an orderly if he knew the name of his chief. The orderly aptly replied that he did, and when asked to name the chief, he affectionately referred to him as “Sam Bahadur.” This endearing nickname, “Sam Bahadur,” meaning “Sam the Brave,” became synonymous with Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw and reflected the respect and admiration he garnered within the military and beyond.
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, stemming from the Bangladesh Liberation war, unfolded as tensions between West and East Pakistan escalated. In 1970, East Pakistan sought autonomy, eventually demanding secession from the Pakistani government. The conflict intensified in March 1971 when the Pakistan Armed Forces launched a campaign against secessionists, resulting in significant casualties and a large influx of refugees into West Bengal, India. Responding to the humanitarian crisis, India decided to support the creation of the new nation of Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi consulted with Chief of the Army Staff Sam Manekshaw in April 1971, asking if he was prepared for war with Pakistan. Manekshaw, noting logistical challenges, initially offered to resign, but Gandhi, seeking his advice, allowed him to handle the conflict on his terms. Manekshaw assured victory if given autonomy in strategic decisions, and Gandhi agreed.
Under Manekshaw’s leadership, the Indian Army executed a well-planned strategy. Preparatory operations included training and equipping the Mukti Bahini, a local militia, and Bangladeshi troops. The war officially began on December 3, 1971, with Pakistani airstrikes on Indian Air Force bases. The army’s strategy involved coordinated movements from different fronts – II Corps from the west, IV Corps from the east, XXXIII Corps from the north, and support from the 101 Communication Zone Area in the northeast.
As the conflict progressed, India gained the upper hand, capturing strategic positions and isolating Pakistani forces. Despite international diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire, Manekshaw’s broadcasts assured the Pakistani troops of honorable treatment upon surrender. His messages, delivered on December 9, 11, and 15, played a crucial role in convincing the Pakistani commanders and troops to cease further resistance.
After Pakistan’s request for a ceasefire was initially denied, President Yahya Khan eventually decided to end the war to save Pakistani lives. The formal surrender took place on December 16, 1971, when Lieutenant General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi signed the instrument of surrender. Concerned about maintaining discipline post-war, Manekshaw issued strict instructions against looting and rape, emphasizing respect for women.
The war lasted 12 days, resulting in the unconditional surrender of Pakistan’s eastern half and the birth of Bangladesh. Manekshaw’s compassionate treatment of prisoners of war (POWs) became noteworthy. He personally addressed some POWs, ensuring their well-being, allowing religious practices, and maintaining humane conditions. His actions contributed to India’s victory and showcased a humane approach towards the defeated adversary.
Honors and Recognitions
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw received several honors and recognitions for his exceptional service to the Indian Nation. In 1972, the President of India awarded him the Padma Vibhushan, one of the country’s highest civilian honors. Retiring from active service on January 15, 1973, after a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades, Manekshaw settled in Coonoor with his wife, Silloo, near Wellington Cantonment where he had previously served as the commandant of the Defence Services Staff College.
Manekshaw’s popularity with Gurkha soldiers extended beyond Indian borders, leading to Nepal honoring him as an honorary general of the Nepalese Army in 1972. In 1977, King Birendra of Nepal awarded him the Order of Tri Shakti Patta First Class, a prestigious order of knighthood.
Post his military service, Manekshaw served as an independent director on the boards of several companies and, in some instances, as the chairman. Known for his outspoken nature and avoidance of political correctness, he humorously commented on being replaced on a company’s board, stating, “This is the first time in history when a naik (corporal) has replaced a field marshal.”
In May 2007, Gohar Ayub, the son of Pakistani Field Marshal Ayub Khan, made unfounded claims that Manekshaw had sold Indian Army secrets to Pakistan during the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War for 20,000 rupees. These accusations were dismissed by the Indian defense establishment.
Despite being conferred the rank of field marshal in 1973, there were reports that Manekshaw did not receive complete allowances to which he was entitled. It wasn’t until 2007, during a meeting with President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam in Wellington, that Manekshaw was presented with a cheque of ₹1.3 crore as arrears of pay for over 30 years, finally acknowledging his outstanding entitlements. This gesture was a belated recognition of the financial dues owed to a military leader of his stature.
Personal Life
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw married Siloo Bode on April 22, 1939, in Bombay. The couple had two daughters, Sherry and Maya (later Maja), born in 1940 and 1945, respectively. Sherry married Batliwala, and they have a daughter named Brandy. Maya, employed by British Airways as a stewardess, married Daruwala, a pilot. The latter couple has two sons named Raoul Sam and Jehan Sam.
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw passed away due to complications from pneumonia at the Military Hospital in Wellington, Tamil Nadu, at 12:30 a.m. on June 27, 2008, at the age of 94. Reportedly, his last words were “I’m okay!” He was laid to rest in the Parsi cemetery in Udhagamandalam (Ooty), Tamil Nadu, with military honors, next to his wife’s grave.
Following Manekshaw’s death, there were reports of a lack of VIP representation at his funeral, and no national day of mourning was declared. This departure from customary practices for a leader of national importance was attributed to the controversies surrounding Manekshaw’s post-retirement period. Despite these circumstances, he was survived by his two daughters, Sherry and Maya, and three grandchildren.
