Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, also known as Sam Bahadur, had a distinguished military career spanning four decades and five wars, beginning with service in the British Indian Army in World War II.
In the picture, Manekshaw is seen taking the salute at the Army Day Parade at Delhi Cantt on January 15, 1973. The Field Marshal is returning the salute with his baton as a contingent of the 61 Cavalry trots past.
In 1969, he ascended to the position of the 8th Chief of Staff of the Indian Army. Under his leadership, Indian forces carried out successful campaigns against Pakistan during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, resulting in the liberation of Bangladesh in December 1971.
In this picture, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is seen with the three chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force prior to her departure from the Delhi Airport at New Delhi on October 24, 1971.
Manekshaw was born in a Parsi family in Amritsar. His parents relocated to Punjab from the small town of Valsad on the Gujarat coast.
On February 4, 1934, Sam Manekshaw graduated from the Indian Military Academy and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the British Indian Army (which later became the Indian Army after Independence).
In the picture, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw is seen escorting General Gopal Gurnath Bewoor to his chair after handing over to him the office of the Chief of the Army Staff in New Delhi on January 15,1973.
Manekshaw's military career encompassed the British era and World War II, as well as the three wars with Pakistan and China following India's independence in 1947. He held several regimental, staff and command assignments as well.
In the picture, Manekshaw is seen with the then Punjab Governor Shankar Dayal Sharma in Chandigarh.
In addressing the challenges of Partition in 1947, Manekshaw showcased his acumen in planning and administration. Subsequently, he applied his battle skills to use during operations in Jammu and Kashmir in 1947-48.
In this February 24, 2007 file photograph, the then President, A P J Abdul Kalam, greets Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw at a military hospital in Wellington.
