Sam Manekshaw: Biography, Role in 1971 War, Legacy of Leadership

PWOnlyIAS November 07, 2023 02:33 5511 0

Context: A movie on the life of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw will be released soon.

Sam Manekshaw: Biography, Role in 1971 War, Legacy of Leadership

Context: A movie on the life of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw will be released soon. Sam Bahadur is based on the life of India’s first Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.

Who was Sam Manekshaw?

Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, also known as Sam Bahadur (“Sam the Brave”), was the former Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army.

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Sam Bahadur: The Life and Legacy of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw

Birth: Sam Manekshaw was born on April 3, 1914 in Amritsar, Punjab, British India, in a Parsi Family. Sam Bahadur was the fifth child of his parents.
Education: Sam Bahadur completed his primary schooling in Punjab, and then went to Sherwood College, Nainital. He later joined Hindu Sabha College and graduated in Science.
Service in Armed Forces: Sam Manekshaw’s active military career spanned four decades and five wars.
Army Enrollment: Sam Bahadur qualified the entrance test to enroll in the first batch of Indian Military Academy (IMA).
- He was part of the first batch of cadets, called “The Pioneers“.

The Fearless General: The Remarkable Journey of Sam Manekshaw

Pre-Independence:
- After completing the course, Sam Manekshaw joined the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots, at Lahore. He was later posted to the 4th Battalion, 12th Frontier Force Regiment, in Burma.
- During World War II, Sam Bahadur was posted in Burma to fight against the invading Japanese Army.
- Manekshaw supervised the disarmament of over 60,000 Japanese prisoners of war (POWs).
- During his service in Burma, Sam Bahadur managed to escape death narrowly. He was wounded by Japanese bullets, but managed to survive.
Post-Independence:
- Following partition, Sam Manekshaw was reassigned to the 8th Gorkha Rifles.
- Army Reorganization: He re-organized the troops in the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA), to overcome shortages of equipment, accommodation, and clothing.
- Army Leadership: Manekshaw was appointed an army commander of Western Command. In 1969, Sam Bahadur was appointed as the Chief of the Army Staff.

Also Read – India Vs Bangladesh: A Comprehensive Comparison

Sam Manekshaw: The General Who Led India to Victory

Pakistan’s Siege on Jammu and Kashmir:
- During the signing of instrument of accession of Jammu and Kashmir, Sam Manekshaw was carrying out aerial surveillance on the approaching Pakistani Army.
- He suggested that the Indian Army be airlifted into Kashmir to prevent its capture by Pakistani forces.
The 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War:
- Planning: Sam Manekshaw is widely regarded as the architect of India’s victory during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war.
  - He planned and executed strategies that ensured the defeat of the Pakistani Army.
  - Based on his plans, the army launched several training camps for the Mukti Bahini, a local militia group of Bengali nationalists.
- Arming Mukti Bahini: Regular Bangladeshi troops and 75,000 guerrillas were trained and equipped with arms and ammunition.
  - They would go on and play an important role in the war.
- War Strategy: Manekshaw planned a two-front war with both the Western and Eastern parts of Pakistan. These plans ensured that India captured advantageous positions, leading to Pakistan’s surrender.
- Pakistan’s Surrender: Following the intricate planning and execution, Pakistan had no option but to surrender.
- On 16th December 1971, Pakistan formally signed the instrument of surrender in presence of GOC of Eastern Command, leading to the birth of Bangladesh.

Sam Manekshaw on Leadership: Lessons from a Military Genius

Qualities: Sam Manekshaw was well known for his courage, strategic brilliance, and sense of humor.
- He was well known for his simplicity and down to earth nature.
Nationalism: Being a strong nationalist, he was also a strong advocate for secularism and democracy in India.
Reservation in Army: When the government decided to extend reservation to the army, Manekshaw strongly opposed it.
- He felt that practice would compromise the ethos of the army and believed that all must be given a fair opportunity.
Leadership: One must possess knowledge about his field to be a good leader. Knowledge helps one to make the right decisions based on known facts.
- Good leaders possess the ability to make a decision and accept full responsibility for the decision.
Courage: A good leader shows the courage to face tough situations and emerge successful.
Famous Quotes:
- “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gorkha.”
- “Give me a man or a woman with common sense and who is not an idiot and I assure you can make a leader out of him or her.”
- “Professional knowledge and professional competence are the main attributes of leadership. Unless you know, and the men you command know that you know your job, you will never be a leader.”

Sam Manekshaw: A Life Well-Lived and Well-Honored

Field Marshall: Sam Manekshaw became the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the rank of field marshal.
- He was given the honor on account of his exemplary service to the nation.
Army Honors: Nepal honored Manekshaw as an honorary general of the Nepalese Army in 1972.
- He was awarded the Order of Tri Shakti Patta First Class, a form of Knighthood.
Awards: He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the Padma Bhushan, and the Military Cross.
Stamps: A postage stamp showing Manekshaw in his field marshal’s uniform was released by the Indian government in 1971.

Sam Manekshaw: The Distinguished Journey of a Fearless Leader

Anecdotes:
- When he heard of a planned cut in the soldiers’ uniform allowance, he invited members of the Pay Commission.
- Members were then asked “Now gentlemen, you tell me, who would obey my orders if I was dressed in a crumpled dhoti and kurta”.
Controversies:
- An inquiry was ordered against Sam Manekshaw as he had hung pictures of British viceroys and governor generals in his office, instead of Indian leaders.
- There was another inquiry for failing to take action against a military instructor who had made disparaging remarks against Indians.
- Once he made a comment saying that he had been asked to join the Pakistan Army in 1947, and if he had, the result of the 1971 war would have been different.

Conclusion:

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, a fearless and strategic military genius, played a pivotal role in India’s victories, notably in the 1971 war. His leadership was characterized by courage, nationalism, and uncompromising principles. Sam Manekshaw’s legacy remains an embodiment of integrity, honored by the nation for his exceptional service and unwavering commitment.

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Mahatma Gandhi

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, also known as Sam Bahadur ("Sam the Brave"), was the former Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army.

Sam Manekshaw’s active military career spanned four decades and five wars.

Manekshaw qualified the entrance test to enroll in the first batch of Indian Military Academy (IMA). He was part of the first batch of cadets, called "The Pioneers".

Manekshaw joined the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots, at Lahore. Later he was posted to the 4th Battalion of the 12th Frontier Force Regiment.

During World War II, Manekshaw was posted in Burma to fight against the invading Japanese Army.

Manekshaw is widely regarded as the architect of India's victory during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war. He planned and executed strategies that ensured the defeat of the Pakistani Army.

Sam Manekshaw became the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the rank of field marshal.

Padma Vibhushan, the Padma Bhushan and the Military Cross were some of the awards given to Sam Manekshaw.

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Sam Manekshaw: Biography, Role in 1971 War, Legacy of Leadership

Who was Sam Manekshaw?

Sam Bahadur: The Life and Legacy of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw

The Fearless General: The Remarkable Journey of Sam Manekshaw

Sam Manekshaw: The General Who Led India to Victory

Sam Manekshaw on Leadership: Lessons from a Military Genius

Sam Manekshaw: A Life Well-Lived and Well-Honored

Sam Manekshaw: The Distinguished Journey of a Fearless Leader

Conclusion:

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Sam Manekshaw?

For how Many Years did Manekshaw Serve in the Armed Forces?

Where did Manekshaw Obtain his Armed Forces Training?

In Which Regiment was Sam Manekshaw Posted after Graduation?

In which Place did Sam Manekshaw Serve during World War II?

What was Manekshaw’s role in the 1971 War?

What was the Highest Military Honour accorded to Manekshaw?

Which were the Awards Bestowed upon Manekshaw?

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