Updated on: 23 January, 2024 07:09 PM IST |Shweta Shah
The first field marshal of India, Sam Manekshaw, changed the way the world looked at the Indian army. He was their strength, their biggest motivator, and the only person who had the courage to deny Prime Minister Indira Gandhis orders. As Vicky Kaushal starrer Sam Bahadur releases today, lets know some interesting facts about the late army chief and real-life hero, Sam Manekshaw.
1. First ever field marshal of India
Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, also known as Sam Bahadur, was the first Indian army officer to be promoted to Field Marshal in 1971. He led the Indo-Pak war in the same year, thus leading our country to a glorious victory.
2. A born rebel
Sam Manekshaw was born into a Parsi family to Dr. Hormusji Manekshaw. Just like his father, he wanted to study medicine in London. However, his father refused.Rebelling his decision, Sam sat for the entrance examination for enrollment in the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun.
3. The journey to Indian Military Academy
Manekshaw was one of the few students who cleared the IMA examination on the first attempt. He became a part of the intake of 40 cadets back in 1932. Sam graduated from IMA on February 4, 1934, and joined the British army as a second lieutenant.The British Army later went on to be recognized as the Indian Army after independence.
4. The wars Sam Manekshaw fought
In his four-decade-long career, he was a part of five brutal and historic wars. Sam fought World War II, the 1948 Kashmir War against Pakistan and Afghan tribals, the 1962 Indo-Sino War, and the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars.In fact, Manekshaw led the Indian army in the 1971 India-Pakistan war, thus leading our country to a glorious victory.
5. When he denied the Prime Minister's orders
Sam Manekshaw was known for his relentless bravery and strategic planning. Right before the India-Pakistan war in 1971, the late Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, asked him if the Indian army was ready for a war.Denying the same, he said his job was to ensure his men fought to win, and he requested Gandhi for a few months' time. Trusting him, the prime minister accepted and allowed him the desired time.
True to his word, Manekshaw delivered one of India's finest military victories when the Indo-Pak war broke out in December 1971.
6. A Gorkha
Right after the partition of India in 1947, Manekshaw was reassigned to the 8th Gorkha Rifles. With Gorkhas being fond of him, he was warmly welcomed as their new army general in 1972.Sam once said, "If a man said he's not afraid of dying, either he's lying or he is a Gorkha."
7. How Sam Manekshaw became Sam Bahadur?
In one of his interviews, Mankeshaw revealed how he became Sam Bahadur. During one of his rounds as the army general for the 8th Gorkha Rifles, he asked an older man if he knew the name of his chief.The man knew his first name but had trouble remembering his last name. Nodding in agreement, the man said, "Sam Bahadur." And the rest is history.
