Born on April 3, 1914, in Amritsar, Punjab, Sam Manekshaw, also known as Sam Bahadur, became India’s first Field Marshal on January 1, 1973. Under his leadership, India achieved a decisive victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, where Pakistan launched an attack on December 3, 1971. In just 13 days, Pakistan faced heavy losses, with over 90,000 soldiers surrendering, marking one of the largest capitulations in military history. Manekshaw’s courage and strategic acumen were pivotal in India’s triumph, leading to the birth of Bangladesh. Even before this historic victory, Manekshaw had displayed valor during World War II, where he fought against the Japanese Army in Burma despite sustaining seven bullet wounds. His remarkable recovery and continued service culminated in his retirement as Chief of Army Staff in 1973. Following retirement, Manekshaw lived in Wellington until his demise on June 27, 2008. His legacy as a fearless leader and a symbol of India’s military prowess continues to inspire generations.
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