Military - Articles

The Passing Away of a Legend: Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw

"Sam Bahadur," as he was affectionately known throughout the Army, was a true hero of our times. Among the first batch to be commissioned from the Indian Military Academy in 1932, his pedigree was entirely Indian. He represented like no one else the traditions of chivalry and valour mixed with a touch of naughtiness and humour.

He first served in the Frontier Forces and earned laurels in the Second World War, including the award of the Military Cross. At Independence he transferred to the 8th Gorkha Rifles where the Johnnies took him to their heart and gave him his Army nickname.

His tenure in Military Operations at the Army Headquarters demonstrated his acumen for strategy and higher defence management at a critical time in India's history but his first true test came not in battle but in petty politicking by some of his subordinates. While at the Staff College as Commandant, some of his ambitious subordinates alleged a pro-western bias. Senior officers testified against him at the Court of Inquiry, but could not prevent his exoneration.

Manekshaw went on to become an excellent Army Commander in the East, where his personal direction ensured success in the Army's counter insurgency operations in Nagaland and Mizoram at a critical time.

Sam Bahadur's best moment came in March 1971, when he stood up to an imperious Indira Gandhi and refused to attack East Pakistan, when he was convinced that the Army was not prepared. No other General before or since have stood up in similar circumstances for their convictions. His unique strategic acumen allowed him to develop and personally oversee the subsequent operations. This led to one of the most successful military campaigns in the post-Second World War era, leading to the birth of Bangladesh. No one in India in 1971 can forget his stirring words asking the Pakistani Army in Bangladesh to lay down their arms and surrender.

A grateful nation made him a Field Marshal. The significance of this is immense. A nation often in suspicion of the Army's extra-constitutional loyalties, could not but acknowledge his outstanding qualities. But, having done that kept him scrupulously out of all legitimate responsibilities of a Field Marshal and he was never consulted on military matters. He joined the corporate world and as Director in many undertakings for the next quarter century, made his mark there as well.

Sam Bahadur is best remembered by all those who knew him, for the twinkle in his eyes and for his impish humour. He was often to be found on the dance floor. Whether in cantonment or in Staff College, he would pick the newest young wife for a dance and charm her so that she would remember Sam for the rest of her life. But, a humourless nation did not appreciate his joke to a young reporter who had asked him, why Pakistan lost the war? His reply was that because he had joined the Indian Army at Partition.

But, old soldiers never die, they just fade away. That will be true of Sam Bahadur, as well. As long as the glorious Indian Army remains, the memories of its first Field Marshal will never be forgotten. With time and age his memory will recede, but his legacy of bringing to birth a new nation in South Asia will not be forgotten.