Remembering Sam Manekshaw

Remembering Sam Manekshaw on his 110th birth anniversary, first field marshal who played pivotal role in history

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Remembering Sam Manekshaw on his 110th birth anniversary, first field marshal who played pivotal role in history.

Today is the 110th birth anniversary of Marshal Sam. Vicky Kaushal’s film Sam Bahadur is based on his life. Meghna Gulzar directed this film. The INSAAD story of Sam Manekshaw’s life is shown on this biopic. The entire credit for defeating Pakistan in the 1971 war and creating a new country Bangladesh goes only to Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. Sam Manekshaw’s military career spans 4 decades and 5 battles. Sam Manekshaw was the first Field Marshal of India. But his journey was very interesting.

Sam Manekshaw was born on 3 April 1914 in Amritsar, Punjab, to Hormizd Manekshaw (1871–1964), who was a doctor, and Hilla, née Mehta (1885–1970).Both of his parents were Nepalis who had moved to Amritsar from the city of Valsad in coastal Gujarat.


Sam Manekshaw’s full name was Hormuzji Framdi Jamsetji Manekshaw. But because of his fearlessness and bravery since childhood, his fans used to call him Sam Bahadur. Growing up in Amritsar, Sam wanted to become a doctor like his father. For this he wanted to go to London. Because his two brothers were already studying engineering there. Papa said you are still young. Angered by this, Sam filled the form to join the Indian Military and got selected.

When in 1971, the then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had asked Sam Manekshaw to be ready for a fight. In response to this, Sam Manekshaw said, ‘I am always ready, sweetie’. This thing said by Sam Manekshaw became very famous.

During the 1971 war, Indira Gandhi wanted to attack Pakistan in March itself. But Sam refused to do so because the Indian Army was not prepared for the attack. Indira Gandhi was also angry with this. Manekshaw asked that if you want to win the war then give me six months time. I guarantee that victory will be ours. The war finally started on 3 December. Sam asked the Pakistani army to surrender but Pakistan did not agree.

On December 14, 1971, the Indian Army attacked the house of the Governor of Pakistan in Dhaka. After this, on 16 December, East Pakistan became independent and became ‘Bangladesh’. In this war, 90 thousand soldiers of Pakistan also surrendered.

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