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In his military career, Sam Manekshaw saw five wars.
Sam Manekshaw was honored with two of India's highest civilian honours. He obtained the Padma Bhushan in 1968 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1972.
Sam Manekshaw, affectionately known as Sam Bahadur, is among some of the most famous figures in the Indian Army. The former Army Chief of Staff served the country during several wars and conflicts. He became the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the rank of Field Marshal, which is the highest rank that can be achieved in the Indian Army.
Sam Manekshaw was born into a Parsi family on April 3, 1914. His father, Hormusji Manekshaw, was a doctor. His brother, Jemi Hormusji Framji Manekshaw, served in the Indian Air Force and became an air vice marshal.
In his military career, Sam Manekshaw saw five wars, starting with World War II. He then saw the 1948 Kashmir war against Pakistan, the 1962 Indo-China war and the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars.
In 2023, his legacy was showcased on the big screen in the biopic, simply titled Sam Bahadur. Actress Vicky Kaushal played the lead role.
In addition to his stellar military record, Sam Manekshaw was also known for his rugged personality. He is credited with the famous quote: “If a man says that he is not afraid of dying, either he is lying or he is Gorkha.” Sam Manekshaw succumbed to pneumonia on June 27, 2008. He was 94 years old. In 2014, a statue of him was erected in Wellington, where he died.
Lesser Known Facts About Sam Manekshaw
- Sam Manekshaw was fluent in Punjabi as he was born in Amritsar, where he spent his early years. He often spoke to Sikh soldiers in Punjabi.
- Sam Manekshaw was honored with two of India's highest civilian honours. He obtained the Padma Bhushan in 1968 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1972.
- On 16 December 2008, former President Pratibha Patil issued a postage stamp depicting Sam Manekshaw in his field marshal uniform.
- The troops of the 8th Gorkha Rifle Regiment awarded him the title “Bahadur” as they held him in high esteem. He held the ceremonial position of colonel of the Gorkha Rifle Regiment.
- The famous author Salman Rushdie mentioned Sam Manekshaw in his Booker Prize-winning novel Midnight's Children. He is mentioned in a chapter titled “Sam and the Tiger”.
