The tales of Indian soldiers and the brave souls who have served the country echo throughout the pages of our history. One of the most valiant, celebrated and decorated army officers this country saw was Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw aka Sam Manekshaw, who had a spectacular four-decade-long career in the Indian Army and his tales of valour and bravery gave him the name âSam Bahadurâ.  He was born into a Parsi family and served as Indiaâs first Field Marshal. Known for his exceptional courage and wit, he fought five major wars. In fact, he is especially known for his heroics during the 1971 Indo-Pak War when he was the Chief of Army Staff. On his birth anniversary today, here are some lesser-known facts about the most badass Army General ever:

1. He was one of the âPioneersâ

In October 1932, Sam became a part of the first batch of cadets for a military academy in India which was then recommended by Field Marshal Sir Philip Chetwood in a bid to train Indians for officer commissions in the army. Since it was the first batch, it was called âthe Pioneersâ.

© Instagram/ Reclaiming Bharat

2. His role in winning the 1971 War

In an exceptional career spanning across four decades, Manekshaw fought five major wars including World War II in 1942, the Indo-Pak partition war in 1947, Sino-Indian War in 1962, Indo-Pak War in 1965 and the 1971 war of Bangladesh Liberation. After becoming the Chief of Staff, Manekshaw motivated the Indian forces and devised a war strategy that forced Pakistan to surrender in 1971 to give birth to Bangladesh.

© Instagram/Indian Defence Club

3. His role in making Of 90000 Pakistani Soldiers surrender

The Indo-Pak 1971 war lasted less than a fortnight and saw more than 90000 Pakistani soldiers surrendering and becoming prisoners. It ended with the unconditional surrender of Pakistan's eastern half and resulted in the birth of Bangladesh as a new nation. After the war, Sam came to be known for his compassion towards the POWs and would have private conversations with them over a cup of tea. He also ensured that they were treated well and would arrange for their parcels from their families and a copy of the Quran.

© facebook/indian army

4. He was known for his exceptional wit and sense of humour

During World War II, while fighting around the Pagoda Hill, Manekshaw was hit by a burst of light machine gun fire and he was severely wounded in the stomach. He was rescued and taken to an Australian surgeon who operated upon him and took out a total of seven bullets from his lungs, liver and kidneys. Along with that, a big part of his intestines also had to be removed.

However, initially the surgeon was not ready to treat him as the chances of survival were really low. When the surgeon asked him how he got injured, he said he was âkicked by a muleâ. The surgeon was really impressed by his wit and thereby agreed to operate upon him.

âNothing happened, I was kicked by a donkey,â Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw said after being shot 9 times in the stomach during WW-2.He was brain behind Indiaâs victory over Pak in the 71 War.We remember one of Indiaâs greatest soldier on his birth anniversary. Tribute pic.twitter.com/dMRRG7DZYM

â Soldierathon (@Soldierathon) April 3, 2020

5. He outsmarted Indira Gandhi

When he was questioned by Indira Gandhi about rumours of a planned coup by the army chief, Manekshaw replied in his sassy style, âYou mind your own business, Iâll mind mine. You kiss your own sweetheart, Iâll kiss mine. I donât interfere politically, as long as nobody interferes with me in the Army.â

© rediff

6. He was Indiaâs first Field Marshal

He was Indiaâs first army officer who was promoted to being first Field marshal, which is the highest attainable rank in the Indian army. Even though he was set to retire in June 1972, his term was extended by six months to facilitate him with a promotion to the rank of a Field Marshal. Therefore, in recognition of his outstanding services to the Armed Forces and the nation, on January 1, 1973, he was promoted to a Field Marshal.

© Facebook/AGDP

7. He humiliated Pakistani General Yahya Khan

During Indiaâs independence in 1947, Sam Manekshaw and Yahya Khan, the future president of Pakistan served together in the British Army. At that time Manekshaw owned a red James motorcycle which Yahya Khan fancied. Yahya bought the motorcycle from Sam for Rs 1,000 and promised to send the amount from Pakistan. But the money was never returned. After 24 years in 1971, when India won the war against Pakistan, Manekshaw was heard saying, âYahya never paid me the Rs. 1000 for my motorbike, but now he has paid with half his country.â

© Facebook

The legends that surround him and the stories from his life continue to leave people in awe of his bravery and valour. Actor Vicky Kaushal is going to play the titular role in a movie which is being made on him.

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