Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, MC "Sam Bahadur" (lit. Sam the Brave) (3 April 1914 – 27 June 2008) was an Indian Army officer. In a long career spanning nearly four decades, Manekshaw rose to be the 8th chief of staff of the Indian Army in 1969 and under his command, Indian forces concluded a victorious campaign during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
Sam Manekshaw was the first of only two Indian military officers to hold the highest rank of Field Marshal in the Indian Army (the other being Field Marshal K M Cariappa). His distinguished military career spanned four decades and through five wars, including World War II.
Manekshaw was born in Amritsar, Punjab to Parsi parents, Hormusji Manekshaw, a doctor, and his wife Heerabai, who moved to the Punjab from the small town of Valsad on the Gujarat coast. After completing his schooling in Amritsar and Sherwood College (Nainital), he asked his father to send him to college abroad to study medicine. When his father refused, in an act of rebellion, he applied to join the IMA and as a result became part of the first intake of 40 cadets at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, on 1 October 1932. He passed out from the IMA on 4 February 1934 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Indian Army. He held several regimental assignments and was first attached to the 2nd Bn The Royal Scots and later to the 4/12th Frontier Force Regiment. Upon Partition, his Parent Unit 4/12 FFR became part of the Pakistan Army, so Maneckshaw transferred to the 8th Gurkha Rifles
Manekshaw first major military campaign was World War II when he served as a captain with the 4/12 Frontier Force Regiment in Burma in 1942. In a counter attack offensive against the Japanese Army he successfully led his battalion to its objective despite heavy casualties. When capturing the key position Sam was injured by machine gun fire and was severely wounded. Major General D.T. Cowan recognised Sam for his fearless guts and awarded Sam with the Military Cross on the battlefield itself.
After the near fatal Burma Campaign Sam went to the Staff College in Quetta for a course and served for a while as an instructor. He joined the 12 Frontier Force Rifles in Burma and was wounded amidst fierce battle yet again. Towards the end of the War he helped in the rehabilitation of 10000 POW and then went for a tour of Australia in 1946. Coming back he served as a first grade staff officer in the Military operations directorate. Manekshaw successfully handled many panning and administrative problems that crept up after partition. The Jammu and Kashmir operations of 1947-48 were largely successful because of his acumen. He became the Colonel of the 8 Gurkha Rifles and the 61 Cavalry. As the GOC-in-C of the Eastern Command he solved the insurgency problem of Nagaland and was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1968.
On 7th June 1969 Sam Manekshaw replaced General Kumaramangalam as the 8th chief of army staff and his immense military experience came of good use during the Inodo-Pakistani War of 1971, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. As refugees from the then East Pakistan poured in to India and full-scale war erupted Sam had to manage the two tasks of defeating the Pakistani forces and also take care of the refugee problem. Manekshaw motivated the Indian forces like no other and his brilliant war strategy led to the unconditional surrender of the Pakistani forces within a short span of just 14 days. Over 93000 Pakistani soldiers and civilians were taken POW and the war became an example of perfect co-ordination between the three units of the armed forces. This stands out as one of the fastest military victories in the history of Indian military. With the Shimla agreement in place the new nation of Bangladesh was created.
For his distinguished service to the country, the President of India (then V. V. Giri) awarded him a Padma Vibhushan in 1972 and conferred upon him the rank of Field Marshal on 1 January 1973. Manekshaw became the first of the only two Indian Army Generals to be awarded this prestigious rank; the other being the late Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa. Manekshaw moved out of active service a fortnight later on 15 January 1973 after completing nearly four decades of military service, and settled down with his wife Silloo in Connors, the civilian town next to Wellington Military Cantonment where he had served as Commandant of the Defence Services Staff College.
Following his time in active service in the Indian Army, Manekshaw successfully served on the board of directors for numerous companies, and was Chairman of several of them as well
He died of complications from pneumonia at the Military Hospital in Wellington, Tamil Nadu on 0030 hours, 27 June 2008 at the age of 94
He was laid to rest in Ootacamund, Tamil Nadu, with military honours, adjacent to his wife's grave. Two daughters and three grandchildren survive him.
Reportedly, his last words were "I'm okay!"
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