New Delhi, April 3: Sam Manekshaw, a powerful and formidable military leader of India, dealt such a crushing defeat to Pakistan that the nation remained silent for decades. His unwavering leadership and inspiring courage were pivotal in the 1971 war, where he captured 90,000 Pakistani soldiers and facilitated the creation of Bangladesh. This remarkable figure is none other than Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.
Born on April 3, 1914, in Amritsar, Punjab, his full name was ‘Sam Hormuzji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw’. Friends and family affectionately called him Sam or ‘Sam Bahadur’.
“The responsibility for the security of this country lies with you. You must fight to win. There is no place for losing here. If we lose, there is no need to return. Losing would be an insult to the nation,” he declared passionately. These words reflect his unyielding leadership and determination. He was not only filled with patriotism but also had an extraordinary ability to instill a spirit of victory in his soldiers. He had previously demonstrated his strength and courage, but in 1971, he seized the opportunity to secure victory for India.
Initially aspiring to be a doctor like his father, young Sam faced rejection when his father refused to support his medical studies in London due to his age. Disappointed but undeterred, he found a new direction while studying at Hindu Sabha College in Amritsar. In 1932, when applications for officer recruitment at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) were announced, Sam decided to pursue a military career against his father’s wishes. He was selected for the IMA and, after rigorous training, began his duty in Lahore. He had already showcased his valor during World War II.
Numerous anecdotes about his mischief and humor are still popular today. One notable incident occurred in 1942 during the Battle of Burma, where he endured nine bullets from Japanese soldiers. His condition was so dire that an Australian doctor initially refused to treat him, believing he had little chance of survival.
When he finally regained consciousness after surgery, the surgeon asked, “What happened to you, young man?” To which the injured Manekshaw humorously replied, “Nothing, just got kicked by a donkey.”
This ability to laugh in the face of severe pain was quintessentially Sam Manekshaw.
Another amusing story from his life involves his playful antics with his children. He often teased them, as his daughter Maya Daruwala recounted in an interview.
Manekshaw did not just win a war; he also played a role in the division of Pakistan. Interestingly, he had a motorcycle that was once admired by Pakistan’s then-President Yahya Khan, with whom he shared a friendship prior to the partition, as they had served together in the same army.
When the partition occurred, Yahya Khan decided to join the Pakistani army. Manekshaw, being of the Parsi community, had the option to move to Pakistan. However, he chose India, as his heart beat for the nation. During the partition, he sold his motorcycle to Yahya Khan for one thousand rupees, but the payment was never received. Yahya Khan promised to send the money, but it never arrived for 25 years.
When the India-Pakistan war broke out, both Manekshaw and Yahya Khan were leading their respective armies. After India’s victory, Manekshaw quipped, “I waited 24 years for Yahya Khan’s check, but it never came. He finally paid off his 1947 debt by giving away half his country.”
Fearless and bold, Manekshaw was unafraid to challenge Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In 1971, she wanted him to invade Pakistan in March, but he refused, stating that the Indian army was not prepared for an attack. Although Indira Gandhi was displeased, Manekshaw was well aware of his troops’ readiness. He requested time, assuring her of victory. This preparation led to the Indian army bringing Pakistan to its knees in the 1971 war.
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