Verified

Sam Manekshaw Age, Height, Death, Wife, Family, Biography & More

Sam Manekshaw Age, Height, Death, Wife, Family, Biography & More

check sources

Quick Info→

Hometown: Amritsar, Punjab

Death Date: 27/06/2008

Religion: Zoroastrian

Bio/Wiki
Full Name Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw
Nickname Sam Bahadur
Profession Army Personnel
Famous For Being the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the rank of Field Marshal
Physical Stats & More
Height (approx.) in centimeters**- 173 cm**
in meters**- 1.73 m**
in feet inches**- 5’ 9”**
Weight (approx.) in kilograms**- 65 kg**
in pounds**- 143 lbs**
Eye Colour Dark Brown
Hair Colour Black
Career
Service/Branch Indian Army
Rank Field Marshal
Years of Service 1932-2008
Unit • Royal Scots
• 12th Frontier Force Regiment
• 5th Gorkha Rifles
• 8th Gorkha Rifles
• 167th Infantry Brigade
• 26th Infantry Division
Wars/Battles • World War 2 (1939)
• India Partition War (1947)
• Sino Indian War (1962)
• India Pakistan War (1965)
• India Pakistan War (1971)
Awards, Honours, and Achievements • Military Cross (1942)
• Burma Gallantry Award (1942)
• 9 Years Long Service Medal (1944)
• 1939-1945 Star (1945)
• Burma Star (1945)
• War Medal (1945)
• India Service Medal (1945)
• General Service Medal (1947)
• 20 Years Long Service Medal (1955)
• Padma Bhushan (1968)
• Poorvi Star (1971)
• Paschimi Star (1971)
• Padma Vibhushan (1972)
• Sangram Medal (1972)
Personal Life
Date of Birth 3 April 1914 (Friday)
Birthplace Amritsar, Punjab
Date of Death 27 June 2008
Place of Death Wellington, Tamil Nadu
Age (at the time of death) 94 Years
Death Cause Pneumonia
Zodiac sign Aries
Nationality Indian
Hometown Amritsar, Punjab
School Sherwood College, Nainital
College/University • Hindu Sabha College, Amritsar, Punjab
• Indian Military Academy, Dehradun
Educational Qualification(s) • Graduation from the Hindu Sabha College, Amritsar, Punjab
• Post Graduation from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun
Religion Zoroastriancheck sources
The Times of India
Relationships & More
Marital Status (at the time of death) Widower
Marriage Date 22 April 1939
Family
Wife/Spouse Silloo Manekshaw
(also known as Silloo Bode)
Children Son- None
Daughter(s)- 2
• Sherry Batliwala

• Maja Daruwala
(Stewardess)
Parents Father- Hormusji Manekshaw (Doctor)
Mother- Hilla (Homemaker)
Siblings Brother(s)- 3
• Fali (Elder; Engineer)
• Jan (Elder; Engineer)
• Jemi (Younger; Medical Officer of the Royal Indian Air Force)

Sister(s)- 2
• Sila (Elder; Teacher)
• Sheroo (Elder; Teacher)
Grandchildren Grandson(s) - 2
• Jehan Sam (Mumbai-based theatre artist)


• Raoul Sam (US-based businessman)


Granddaughter- 1
• Brandy Batliwala (works in the hospitality sector in New York)
Style Quotient
Car Collection • Sunbeam Rapier


• Maruti 800

Some Lesser Known Facts About Sam Manekshaw

  • Sam Maneskshaw was an Indian Army Officer who was the first officer in independent India to be conferred with the rank of Field Marshal.

  • When Sam was a teenager, he wanted to go to London to study medicine and become a gynaecologist, but his father refused. He stated that his father would not let him go to London as he was very young to stay on his own. He joined the Indian Army as an act `of rebellion against his father.

    Sam Manekshaw’s Parents

  • He had joined the first batch of the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun in 1932. His batch had only 40 students, and they were called the Pioneers.

  • When he was injured heavily while fighting for the British Army in World War 2, his Divisional Commander, Sir David Tennent Cowan, pinned his Military Cross on Sam’s chest and said- “A dead person cannot be awarded a Military Cross”.

  • In the early 1960s, a court enquiry was ordered against him, which could have ended his career. Although the charges were never revealed, it is believed that the 1962 war against China saved him and led to Manekshaw being given the command of 4 corps.

    Sam Manekshaw After Being Commissioned As A Colonel Of 8 Gorkha Rifles

  • On 8 July 1969, Sam Manekshaw was appointed as the eighth Army Chief of Staff by the Indira Gandhi  Government.

    Sam Manekshaw Being Commissioned As The Chief Of Army Staff

  • During the India-Pakistan war of 1971, Sam had led the Indian forces against Pakistan; which led to India’s victory and the creation of Bangladesh in December 1971.

    Sam Manekshaw During War

  • In April 1971, Indira Gandhi asked Manekshaw if the Army was ready to attack Pakistan, to which Sam stated that an untimely attack would result in a defeat. He asked her for a few months to prepare.

  • In December 1971, on the eve of war, Indira Gandhi asked Sam if he was ready. Sam replied- “I’m always ready, Sweetie“.

    Sam Manekshaw With Indira Gandhi

  • He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 1968 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1972 for his exemplary contributions towards the country.

    Sam Manekshaw Being Honoured With The Padma Vibhushan

  • In January 1973, the month of his retirement, he was awarded the rank of Field Marshal. This made Sam Manekshaw the first Army officer of independent India to be awarded the highest rank of the Indian Army.

    Sam Manekshaw Being Commissioned As The Field Marshal

  • During his career, Maneksaw had fought in 5 wars- World War 2, India Pakistan partition war, the Sino Indian War of 1962, the India Pakistan Wars of 1965 and 1971.

  • He was very bold and straightforward. Sam would often take a stand against the Indian Government if he felt that the government’s decision would compromise the Army’s position in any way.

  • Once he heard that the Pay Commission was going to reduce the allowance for the soldiers’ uniform. He went to the Pay Commission and stated- “Now gentlemen, you tell me, who would obey my orders if I was dressed in a crumpled dhoti and kurta“. This statement reportedly ended the debate.

    Sam Manekshaw Addressing A Guard Of Honour

  • Once, in an interview, he was asked that what if he had opted for Pakistan during the partition, to which he replied- “Pakistan would have won all the wars”.

  • He had always been over-critical of the Government and used to protest and resist orders regularly.

  • He would go to any lengths to preserve the dignity of the Indian Army and always used to resist political pressure. Reportedly, he would often threaten to resign when the Government used to intervene in the Army’s work.

    Sam Manekshaw with Indira Gandhi

  • Sam loved animals, especially dogs. He owned one when he was young.

    Sam Manekshaw with his pet dog

  • Sam was a gardening enthusiast. He raised cows, hens, and honey bees in a shed close to his house. The eggs, milk, and honey produced by these animals were shared with his neighbours.

    A picture of Sam Manekshaw’s garden

    A picture of Sam Manekshaw’s house in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu

  • He had a keen interest in cooking, mainly barbecuing. Chole Bhature was one of his favourite dishes.

  • Sam had a hobby of collecting items such as soaps, matchboxes, and playing cards.

  • He enjoyed Western classical music and owned speakers, turntables, and a collection of records.

  • According to Brandy, Sam had a morning ritual where he would dress up, have breakfast, tend to his dogs and garden, and then reply to all his letters by sitting at his desk.

  • In 2019, film director Meghna Gulzar announced that she’ll be releasing a film based on Sam Manekshaw, starring Vicky Kaushal .

View this post on Instagram

I feel honoured, emotional and proud of getting a chance to unfold the journey of this fearless patriot, the swashbuckling general, the first Field Marshal of India- SAM MANEKSHAW. Remembering him on his death anniversary today and embracing the new beginnings with @meghnagulzar and #RonnieScrewvala. @rsvpmovies

A post shared by Vicky Kaushal (@vickykaushal09) on Jun 26, 2019 at 9:42pm PDT

References/Sources