The Indian Army on Wednesday paid a rich tribute to Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, also known as Sam Bahadur on his 110th birth anniversary.

Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw was the architect of several military triumphs. He is credited for crafting India’s greatest military victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh.

“Remembering the Legend…Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw, popularly known as ‘Sam Bahadur’, was the 8th #COAS and 1st Field Marshal of #IndianArmy. He was the architect of India’s decisive victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan. #IndianArmy pays tribute to #SamBahadur on his #BirthAnniversary,” the Indian Army said in a post on X.

Several political leaders including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute to him as a “distinguished military leader”.

“In reverence, we bow to the memory of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. Fondly known as Sam Bahadur, he was a key architect of India’s victory against Pakistan in 1971, during the Bangladesh Liberation War. A distinguished military leader, he led the Armed Forces for over four decades across five wars. His selfless service to the nation shall be an eternal inspiration,” Kharge said.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said, “Remembering the Man behind India’s victory against the war with Pakistan in 1971, Padma Vibhushan Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw ji on his birth anniversary.”

Manekshaw was born on April 3, 1914, in Amritsar. He joined the British Indian Army in 1932 and served with distinction during World War II and the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971.

Affectionately called Sam Bahadur, Manekshaw was the first Indian officer to command the Gorkhas after India won Independence. He was honoured with the Military Cross on the battlefront during the Second World War.

He died of pneumonia at the Military Hospital in Wellington, Tamil Nadu, on June 27, 2008, at the age of 94.

(Inputs from ANI)