A legacy that transcends battlefield

The name of Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, fondly known as Sam Bahadur, is etched in Indian military history. Born on April 3, 1914, in Amritsar, he was the fifth of six children born to Dr Hormusji Manekshaw, a physician, and his wife, Hilla.

He completed his early education in Amritsar and joined Sherwood College, Nainital. After his schooling, he pleaded with his father to send him to London, where his brothers were pursuing engineering, to study medicine, but his father’s refusal saw him enrol at Hindu Sabha College in Amritsar.

After graduating in 1932, he took the exam for the first-ever batch of the Indian Military Academy, and ranked sixth, becoming one of only 15 cadets to be selected. He was commissioned into the British Indian Army’s 4th Battalion, 12th Frontier Force Regiment.

His mettle was tested during World War II, when he was wounded in Burma, but despite multiple bullet injuries, his resolve never wavered. Asked by a British surgeon how he felt, he quipped, “If I die, my mother will be upset." He was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery.

This was the beginning of his great journey. Following the Partition in 1947, Manekshaw’s unit became part of the Pakistan army. He was reassigned to 8th Gorkha Rifles.

But not all was smooth sailing. In 1957, Manekshaw was appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 26th Infantry Division. During his command, Gen KS Thimayya served as the Chief of Army Staff, and Krishna Menon was the defence minister. A notable incident occurred when Menon asked Manekshaw’s opinion about Thimayya, and his diplomatic response—refusing to judge his superior—angered Menon, who suggested he could dismiss Thimayya. Manekshaw replied, “You can get rid of him. But I will get another.”

After Thimayya resigned as COAS in 1961, Major Gen Brij Mohan Kaul was promoted to the rank of Lt General. Kaul had strong ties with Nehru and Menon, which many senior Army officers, including Manekshaw, criticised as political interference in military affairs.

Kaul’s faction labelled Manekshaw as anti-national, and he was subjected to a court of inquiry for alleged disloyalty due to his refusal to remove British colonial portraits from the college and his office. The court cleared Manekshaw of all charges. However, the Sino-Indian war broke out before the formal exoneration, preventing him from participating.

In 1963, Manekshaw was promoted to substantive Lt Gen and assumed command of the Western Command. Following Nehru’s death, his troops’ movement raised suspicions of a coup, though the Army claimed it was for funeral arrangements.

Appointed the eighth Chief of Army Staff in 1969, Manekshaw was instrumental in stopping a plan to reserve quota in the Army for Scheduled Castes/Tribes, as he felt it would compromise the ethos of the Army.

Manekshaw once visited a battalion of 8 Gorkha Rifles, where he asked an orderly if he knew the name of his Chief. The orderly replied, “Sam Bahadur" (‘Sam the Brave’). This eventually became Manekshaw’s nickname. He often remarked, “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is a Gurkha."

During the 1971 war with Pakistan, Manekshaw played a pivotal role in leading India to victory. When PM Indira Gandhi enquired about the possibility of a war with Pakistan in April 1971, Manekshaw candidly outlined India’s military limitations, but assured victory if given strategic autonomy.

In 13 days, the war ended in victory, and Bangladesh was born. Over 93,000 Pakistani troops surrendered—the largest surrender since World War II.

President VV Giri awarded Manekshaw the Padma Vibhushan in 1972, and in recognition of his outstanding service, he was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal on January 1, 1973, becoming the first Indian Army officer to receive this honour. He retired from service on January 15, 1973.

Manekshaw’s legacy transcends the battlefield. His leadership principles—preparation, courage, humility, and wit—remain timeless. Even after his passing on June 27, 2008, his memory continues to inspire generations.

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