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In the prestigious history of the Indian armed forces, the title of the Field Marshal is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a military officer. The name of the first field marshal of India was – Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw MC, also known as Sam Bahadur. He was the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the rank of Field Marshal and his contribution to the Indo-Pak war of 1971, holds a special place in the history of the Indian Army.
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Who Was Sam Bahadur?
The first field marshal of India Sam Manekshaw was born on April 3, 1914, in Amritsar, British India. He belonged to a Parsi family and was known for his sharp wit, fearless demeanour and exceptional military skills. Mankshaw joined the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun in 1932 and was commissioned into the British Indian Army in 1934. He was famously called Sam Bahadur, meaning brave person.
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Achievements and Contribution
Following the Partition of India in 1947, he was assigned to the 8th Gorkha Rifles. During his tenure in the Indian Army, he held many important positions right from the rank of Brigadier, Commander to the Chief of Army Staff to Field Marshal.
- During his tenure as Chief of the Army Staff, Sam Manekshaw modernized the Indian Army, introducing new training methods and weaponry to enhance operational readiness.
- Manekshaw was awarded several prestigious honours, which included the Military Cross during World War II for his bravery in the Burma Campaign.
His most significant contribution was during the 1971 Indo-Pak War when he led the Indian Army to a resounding victory over Pakistan. His meticulous planning and strategic execution of military operations helped secure victory for India and the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistani oppression.
- Sam Manekshaw was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award in India, for his exceptional service to the nation.
- He was also honoured with the title of Field Marshal, which was a rare distinction reserved for exceptional military leaders who have displayed unparalleled valour and leadership.
The Second Field Marshal in history is Kodandera ‘Kipper’ Madappa Cariappa.
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This is all about the first Field Marshal of India. For more content related to the different states of India, visit our articles like this, you can get Study notes on the Modern History of India here. Also, you can visit our general knowledge page on Indian History!