The Legend Who Was India's Greatest General

Sam Manekshaw was an Indian Army Officer who was the first Army Chief to be promoted to the rank of Field Marshal. He is best remembered as the man who masterminded India's victory in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, which led to the liberation of Bangladesh. In this blog post, we will explore the life and achievements of Sam Manekshaw, also known as Sam Bahadur (Sam the Brave).

Early Life and Education

Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw was born on 3 April 1914 in Amritsar, Punjab, to Parsi parents. His father, Hormusji Manekshaw, was a gynecologist and his mother, Heerabai, was a homemaker. He had five siblings and grew up in a close-knit family.

Sam was initially named Cyrus, but his aunt changed it to Sam after hearing of a Parsi named Cyrus being sentenced to jail. Sam completed his schooling at Sherwood College in Nainital, where he excelled in academics and sports. He wanted to study medicine in London like his father, but his father refused to send him abroad at a young age.

As a rebellious act, Sam applied for the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun and cleared the entrance exam. He joined the first batch of 40 cadets at the IMA on 1 October 1932. He underwent rigorous training and proved himself to be a smart and courageous cadet. He graduated from the IMA in 1934 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the British Indian Army.

Military Career

Sam Manekshaw's military career spanned four decades and five wars, beginning with service in World War II. He was posted to the 4th Battalion of the 12th Frontier Force Regiment, which was part of the British Indian Army's North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) operations against the tribal rebels.

In 1939, he was sent to Burma (now Myanmar) with his battalion to fight against the Japanese invasion. He displayed remarkable bravery and leadership skills in several battles, especially at the Sittang Bridge, where he held his position against overwhelming odds and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. He was severely wounded by machine-gun fire and left for dead on the battlefield. However, he survived and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry.

After recovering from his injuries, he returned to India and took part in the partition of India in 1947. He was reassigned to the newly formed 8th Gorkha Rifles and was involved in quelling the Hyderabad crisis and the Kashmir conflict. He rose through the ranks and became a brigadier in 1952. He served as the Director of Military Training at the Army Headquarters and later as the Commandant of the Defence Services Staff College.

In 1961, he attended the Imperial Defence College in London and completed a higher command course. He returned to India and was appointed as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 26th Infantry Division. He also served as the GOC of the Western Command and the Eastern Command. He played a crucial role in handling the Sino-Indian War of 1962 and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.

In 1969, he became the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) and reformed the Indian Army by improving its morale, discipline, training, equipment, logistics and strategy. He also established a cordial relationship with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and gained her trust and respect.

The 1971 War and Bangladesh Liberation

The crowning glory of Sam Manekshaw's career was his brilliant leadership in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh. The war was triggered by the Pakistani military's crackdown on the Bengali population in East Pakistan, who were demanding autonomy and independence.

Sam Manekshaw foresaw that a war was inevitable and prepared his troops for a decisive strike. He advised Indira Gandhi to delay the war until winter, when he could mobilize more forces and take advantage of favourable weather conditions. He also coordinated with the Indian Navy and Air Force to launch a joint operation against Pakistan.

He devised a three-pronged strategy: to support the Bengali guerrilla fighters (Mukti Bahini) in East Pakistan; to launch an offensive across the western border; and to encircle Dhaka from three sides. He also ensured that India had diplomatic support from countries like Russia, France and Britain.

The war began on 3 December 1971, when Pakistan launched air strikes on Indian airfields. The Indian Army responded with full force and quickly gained an upper hand on both fronts. Sam Manekshaw personally supervised the operations and motivated his soldiers with his charismatic presence and inspiring speeches.

He also displayed magnanimity and compassion towards the enemy. He ordered his troops to treat the Pakistani prisoners of war with respect and dignity. He also appealed to the Pakistani forces in East Pakistan to surrender peacefully and avoid unnecessary bloodshed.

On 16 December 1971, the Pakistani forces in East Pakistan surrendered to the Indian Army, marking the end of the war and the birth of Bangladesh. Sam Manekshaw accepted the surrender of over 90,000 Pakistani soldiers, the largest surrender since World War II. He was hailed as a national hero and a liberator of Bangladesh.

Sam Manekshaw: