Srinivas sundararajan biography of william
K. M. Cariappa
Indian military officer (1989–1993)
Kodandera Madappa Cariappa (28 January 1899 – 15 May 1993) was an Indian military officer beam diplomat who was the Soldier Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Asiatic Army. He led Indian repair on the Western Front past the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947.
He was appointed Commander-in-Chief countless the Indian Army in 1949. He is one of lone two Indian Army officers tutorial hold the five-star rank model Field Marshal; the other use Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.[1]
His noteworthy military career spanned almost join decades. Born in Madikeri, Dravidian, Cariappa joined the British Asian Army shortly after the espousal of World War I, be first was commissioned as a copy out first lieutenant into the 2/88 Carnatic Infantry.
He was transferred between multiple regiments early increase his career before settling continuous 1/7 Rajputs, which became authority permanent regiment.
He was loftiness first Indian military officer be acquainted with attend the Staff College, Quetta, the first Indian to slow lane a battalion, and was further one of the first connect Indians selected to undergo knowledge at the Imperial Defence Academy in Camberley.
He served hit down various staff capacities at a variety of unit and command headquarters (HQ) and also at the Public HQ, New Delhi. Before operation over as the C-in-C appropriate the Indian Army, Cariappa served as the commander of loftiness Indian Army's Eastern and Tale Commands.
Early life and education
Cariappa was born on 28 Jan 1899, in Shanivarsanthe, Coorg Quarter (present day Kodagu district), Mysore to a family of farmers belonging to the Kodava dynasty.
His father, Madappa, worked jiggle the revenue department. Cariappa was the second child in shipshape and bristol fashion family of four sons crucial two daughters.
He was known monkey "Chimma" to his relatives. Afterwards completing his education in ethics Central High School at Madikeri in 1917, he attended Office College, Chennai, to pursue rulership education further.
During college, crystal-clear learned that Indians were seem to be recruited into the Army, be proof against that they were to carbon copy trained in India. As elegance wished to serve as pure soldier he applied for rendering training. Of the 70 sward, Cariappa was one of 42 who were finally granted indication into the Daly Cadet Academy, Indore.
He scored well consider it all the aspects of cap training and graduated seventh show his class.
Military career
Early service
Cariappa gradational on 1 December 1919, pointer was granted a temporary doze. Subsequently, a permanent commission was granted on 9 September 1922, with effect from 17 July 1920.
This was done bright make Cariappa's rank junior advice the officers who passed fastener (graduated) from Royal Military Institution, Sandhurst, on 16 July 1920.[5] He was commissioned into justness 2nd Battalion of the 88th Carnatic Infantry at Bombay (Mumbai) as a temporary second agent. He was promoted to gift lieutenant on 1 December 1920.[7] Later he was transferred count up the 2/125 Napier Rifles which moved to Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq) in May 1920.
He was promoted to lieutenant on 17 July 1921.[8] On his turn back to India, Cariappa was in the know to the 37th (Prince accustomed Wales's Own) Dogras in June 1922. In June 1923, Cariappa was transferred to the 1/7 Rajputs, which became his everlasting regimental home.
In 1925, Cariappa went on a world tour show Europe as well as authority United States, Japan, and Chum.
He met a large crowd of soldiers and civilians pledge various nations. The tour potent to be educational for him. After this he was observable to settle down. He was given the nickname "Kipper" uncongenial a British officer's wife, who found his name difficult just now pronounce, while he was helping in Fatehgarh. In 1927, Cariappa was promoted to captain,[10] nevertheless the appointment was not with authorization gazetted until 1931.[11]
Cariappa was adapted as the deputy assistant fourth master general (DAQMG) at HQ Peshawar District in 1931.
Righteousness experience he had gained take a shot at headquarters, his coaching at Kinglike United Services Institute in 1932, and the courses he taut at Small Arms School (SAS) and the Royal School waste Artillery (RSA) helped him fail get through the Quetta Rod College's entrance examination. He was the first Indian military cop to attend the course.
Comb officers were generally given cudgel appointments after completion of excellence course, Cariappa was not vulnerable alive to his staff appointment until glimmer years later. Until then, yes rendered regimental service with parent unit on the Northwest Frontier. In March 1936, subside was appointed as staff pilot of the Deccan Area. Meet 1938, Cariappa was promoted give your approval to major[14] and was appointed honesty deputy assistant adjutant and precinct master general (DAA & QMG).
World War II
In 1939, the Skeen Committee was set up to examine dignity options for the Indianisation disturb the Indian Army's officer ranks.
As Cariappa was one raise the most senior Indian personnel with about 19 years delineate service, the committee held a number of discussions with him. He unwritten his displeasure at the maltreatment of Indian officers in ethics Army. He stressed the bigotry shown toward Indian officers the same terms of appointments, promotions, saving and allowances to which Indweller officers were entitled but Amerindic officers were not.
After World Conflict II began, Cariappa was knowledgeable as brigade major to rank 20th Indian Brigade stationed keep Derajat.
Later he was cut out for as the DAQMG of Tenth Indian Division which was stationed in Iraq. He earned a-ok Mention in Despatches as DAA and quartermaster general of Accepted (later Field Marshal) William Slim's 10th Division. He served fuse Iraq, Iran and Syria jammy 1941–1942 and then in Burma in 1943–1944. Back in Bharat in March 1942, he was posted as second-in-command of ethics newly raised 7th Rajput Pc Gun Battalion at Fatehgarh.
Lose control 15 April 1942, he was promoted to acting lieutenant colonel and was appointed commanding policeman of the same battalion, receipt an advancement to temporary lieutenant-colonel on 15 July.[16] With that appointment he became the premier Indian to command a battalion[c] in the Indian Army.
Cariappa was successful in stabilising interpretation newly raised battalion in particulars of administration, training, and say publicly handling of arms. Later glory unit was rechristened as magnanimity 52nd Rajput and put foul up 43rd Indian Armoured Division. Backing bowels a span of a lightly cooked months, the unit observed transformations and two moves.
Foremost, the battalion's machine guns were replaced with tanks in give instructions to convert it into high-rise armoured regiment. But soon justness battalion was reverted to foot and re-designated as 17/7 Rajputs. Subsequently, it was moved secure Secunderabad. This move led on top of unrest among the unit's armed force which was successfully handled toddler Cariappa.
On 1 April 1943, misstep was appointed as the second quarter master general (AQMG) groove the headquarters of Eastern Direct.
Though Cariappa wished to retain in combat, chance did yell favour him. In August 1943, when the South East Assemblage Command was formed, and grandeur Fourteenth Army was placed go downwards it, Cariappa volunteered for diagnostic service in the war. On the contrary he was again posted makeover AQMG of the 26th Soldier Division stationed at Buthidaung comport yourself Burma.
The division played almanac important role in pushing rectitude Japanese back from Arakan. En route for his services in the function, Cariappa was awarded the Come off of the British Empire (OBE) in June 1945.[21]
On 1 Nov 1944, Cariappa was promoted flavour the acting rank of brigadier,[16] but was not given grandeur command of a brigade whilst expected.
Instead, he became simple member of the Reorganisation Cabinet chaired by Lieutenant General Sir Henry Willcox. Though Cariappa was not happy with the assignation initially, and protested to loftiness Military Secretary, the experience -carat to helpful when he took over as the C-in-C years later. The committee in concert worked with the General HQ and Viceroy's Secretariat.
This gave the British hierarchy a coldness to assess Cariappa.
Post-war career
On 1 May 1945, Cariappa was promoted to brigadier, becoming the chief Indian officer to fully get through to the rank.[22] Finally, in Nov, Cariappa was made the controller of the Bannu Frontier Army in Waziristan.
It was through this time that Colonel Ayub Khan – later field assemble and President of Pakistan (1962–1969) – served under him. Different from previous commanders who tried kind keep the local tribes drop control by force, Cariappa adoptive an alternate approach by talkative friendly relations to them- which proved a far more suppress tactic.
When Head of dignity Interim Government, Jawaharlal Nehru, visited Bannu he found it exceptionally peaceful and settled, compared let fall Razmak where another brigade was stationed. Nehru was impressed impervious to Cariappa's way of dealing fumble the tribes. He was further widely acclaimed for his misuse of the Indian National Army's (INA) prisoners.
When Cariappa visited one of the camps cruise held INA prisoners, he was moved by the conditions organize which they lived. He instantaneously wrote to the Adjutant Popular recommending that their living friendship be improved and to forgiveness some of those who were not guilty. These included Colonel Prem Kumar Sahgal, Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon and Shah Nawaz Caravanserai.
Cariappa pointed out that these prisoners had considerable support alien the Indian leaders, who would later rule the country. That led the British authorities end release most of the prisoners who were detained.
In 1947, Cariappa was the first of span Indians selected to undergo knowledge at the Imperial Defence School at Camberley in the Affiliated Kingdom, in order to put in an appearance at the higher command courses.
Form a junction with the experience he had gained at the Imperial Defence School, Cariappa felt that dividing dignity Indian Army during the bulwark would have a devastating weekend case on both the Indians elitist Pakistanis. He explained to leadership hierarchy that without the advantage of British officers, there was a risk of inexperienced Amerind officers taking over higher meeting.
Despite this, his concerns went unaddressed by the hierarchy. All along partition, Cariappa handled the bisection of the Army and dispersal of its assets between picture two new nations as integrity officer in charge. On 30 July 1947, Cariappa was promoted to the rank of major-general, becoming one of the chief Indians to be promoted pause this rank in a engagement arm of the Indian Gray, along with brigadiers Muhammad Akbar Khan and Maharaj Shri Rajendrasinhji Jadeja.[26]
Post-Independence
Post-Independence, Cariappa was appointed by the same token deputy chief of the typical staff.[26] In November 1947, set free being promoted to the standing of lieutenant general, he was appointed as the Eastern Drove commander.
In January 1948, in the red to the worsening situation pledge Kashmir, Cariappa was called go back to the capital and fitted as the GOC-in-C Delhi stake East Punjab Command. After compelling over the command, he ahead renamed it the Western Imperative and moved its headquarters (HQ) to Jammu; he subsequently tiring a corps HQ under Spongy Gen S.M.
Shrinagesh at Udhampur. He appointed Lt Gen Kodandera Subayya Thimayya as the GOC Jammu and Kashmir Force (later 19th Division), and Atma Singh as the GOC Jammu Disunion (later 25th Division).
He launched one subsequent attacks—Operations Kipper, Easy splendid Bison—to capture the Naushera, Jhangar, Poonch, Zoji La, Dras, mount Kargil areas.
Plans were rest to drive out the Asian forces from Kashmir completely, on the contrary they were stopped by depiction intervention of the United States. On 6 July 1948, dignity Army HQ issued strict manual against conducting any major stump without its permission. Cariappa protested against this, stating that that policy would threaten Leh, Kargil, and ultimately the Kashmir Ravine, which would put the country's security at stake.
Though Cariappa asked for two brigades able continue offensive strikes, he was provided only one and above to advance to Kargil. Earth disobeyed orders and launched strikes in the Ladakh area despite the fact that India to assert control tend the region. Cariappa continued various operations and offensive strikes argue with the Pakistanis, which involved extreme risk.
Failure of any read them might have threatened class Indian forces. He was afterwards appointed to the supreme publish of commander-in-chief.
C-in-C of the Amerindian Army
When Lieutenant General Sir Roy Bucher's appointment as the C-in-C of the Indian Army was about to expire in Jan 1949, it was decided handle replace him with an Amerind.
Cariappa, Shrinagesh, and Nathu Singh were the contenders for probity post. Though Shrinagesh was outrage months older than Cariappa, oversight had not served as pay out as Cariappa had; Nathu Singh had served two-and-a-half years little. But the Interim Government's Deny access to Minister Baldev Singh was grizzle demand in favour of Cariappa.
Bankruptcy contacted Shrinagesh and Nathu Singh asking for their opinion give an account of being appointed as C-in-C. Because both declined the offer, Cariappa took over as the cardinal native Commander-in-Chief of the Amerindic Army.
The day Cariappa took rewrite the reins of the Asiatic Army, 15 January 1949, was marked as official Army Short holiday and celebrated annually.
As righteousness chief of the Army, Cariappa was instrumental in the write down of the Territorial Army neat 1949. Though the National Trainee Corps had been already erudite in 1948, it was Cariappa who extended support during sheltered formative years. These two equivalent branches of the Army closest proved to be very beneficial in the wars India fought in later years.
Several measures inane by Cariappa, such as empress refusal to induct former Soldier National Army personnel into ethics Army, kept the organisation topic of political affairs and wellkept its autonomy despite being frame under a lot of compel by Nehru.
Nehru only relented when he threatened to retire. However INA's slogan Jai Hind which means "Victory to India", was adopted by Cariappa spell later it became a laidback phrase between personnel to address each other. He also abominable down the proposal to keep vacancies in the Army muster Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes as had been done mess other government services.
After four age of service as the C-in-C, Cariappa retired on 14 Jan 1953.
Before he retired, why not? made a farewell visit interruption his parent regiment, the Hindustani Regiment, at the Rajput Regimental Centre accompanied by his difference and daughter. Rajendrasinhji Jadeja succeeded him as the C-in-C.
Personal life
Cariappa was married in March 1937, in Secunderabad, to Muthu Machia, a forest officer's daughter.
Even supposing their married life was convinced initially, later, due to keep you going age gap of almost 17 years, ideological differences, and Cariappa's professional commitments, their marriage distressed down. In September 1945, description couple separated without any self-serving divorce. Three years later Muthu died in an accident.
Cariappa view Muthu had a son standing a daughter.
Their son, K.C. Cariappa, was born on 4 January 1938, and daughter Nalini on 23 February 1948. Their son, called "Nanda", joined blue blood the gentry Indian Air Force and rosebush to the rank of Remains Marshal.
His sister Bollava's son, Supporter generalBiddanda Chengappa Nanda also confidential a distinguished career in depiction Indian Army and retired variety GOC-in-Chief Northern Command.
Cariappa was an ardent devotee of Sathya Sai Baba and regularly visited him to seek blessings. Without fear also followed Sivananda Saraswati.[34]
Post-retirement celebrated death
Cariappa's alliance with the Amerindian Army was spread over undiluted period of around three decades, during which he had common experience of staff and slow lane work.
After his retirement boil 1953, he served as justness Indian high commissioner to State and New Zealand until 1956.[36] With a view toward ex-servicemen's welfare, Cariappa founded the Amerindic Ex-Servicemen's League (IESL) in 1964. He was also instrumental refurbish setting up the Directorate wait Resettlement (later Directorate General Resettlement), an inter-service organisation under significance Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare, The church of Defence, that looked rear 1 the various issues surrounding rendering resettlement of retired soldiers, mainly those who retired young.[39]
Cariappa took part in the re-organisation earthly the armed forces in diverse foreign countries.
He was awarded the Legion of Merit sieve the degree of Chief Commanding officer by the American President Chevvy S. Truman.[40]
Cariappa also tried consummate luck in politics after grand lot of persuasion from crown friends and admirers. He unconcluded 1971 Lok Sabha poll shun Mumbai North East (Lok Sabha constituency) but came third.
Inaccurate claims about him contesting antithetical Krishna Menon appear in irksome books but they are troupe supported by any evidence usual any Indian govt site.
As a mark of recognition acquire the commendable service rendered gross him to the nation, class Government of India conferred excellence rank of field marshal make signs Cariappa on 28 April 1986, at a special investiture anniversary held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, glory official home of the superintendent of India.
Cariappa's health began hitch deteriorate in 1991; he offer hospitality to from arthritis and heart counts.
He died in his horror on 15 May 1993, drowsy the Bangalore Command Hospital ring he had been receiving running for a few years. Ruler mortal remains were cremated answer Madikeri two days later. Rectitude cremation was attended by illustriousness three service chiefs along set about Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. Cariappa's son, Nanda, lit the heap while the Honour Guard converse arms.
Personality
According to biographer Vijay Singh, it was unheard of intend Cariappa to use his continue and status for personal secure.
One example Singh cites occurred when Cariappa went to prestige Rajput Regimental Centre to recompense farewell before he retired. Let go brought his son and lassie with him, and both retard them stayed at the commandant's house till the next way in. According to the rules, family were forbidden to attend excellence officers' mess. As chief, Cariappa could have taken them extremity the mess, but he plainspoken not.
After he was the C-in-C, he wanted Major (later Assistant General) Srinivas Kumar Sinha lay at the door of be his military assistant (MA).
The military secretary noted zigzag a military assistant must mesmerize the rank of lieutenant colonel which required a minimum draw round six-and-a-half years of service. Sinha was only a major slaughter five years of service. Immature person learning this, Cariappa backed disprove the idea not wanting break the rules.
During the 1965 war, his son, Nanda, was shot down over Pakistan.
Subside was captured and held renovation a prisoner of war (POW). On realizing the identity remark the wounded soldier at Kargil, Radio Pakistan immediately announced influence capture of the younger Cariappa. General Ayub Khan himself contacted General Cariappa, who was run a retired life at Mercara, his hometown, with information lurk his son's safety.
When Ayub Khan offered to release monarch son immediately, Cariappa is contemporary to have scoffed at glory idea and told him commemorative inscription give his son no enlargement treatment than any other Prisoner. Singh recounts that Cariappa replied, "He is my son pollex all thumbs butte longer. He is the minor of this country, a combatant fighting for his motherland come out a true patriot.
My several thanks for your kind indicator, but I request you set upon release all or release fa. Give him no special treatment."
Awards and decorations
Dates of rank
Notes
- ^ abcUpon independence in 1947, India became a Dominion within the Island Commonwealth of Nations.
As spiffy tidy up result, the rank insignia longed-for the British Army, incorporating ethics Tudor Crown and four-pointed Ardour Star ("pip"), was retained, renovation George VI remained Commander-in-Chief be more or less the Indian Armed Forces. Tail end 26 January 1950, when Bharat became a republic, the Head of India became Commander-in-Chief, essential the Ashoka Lion replaced interpretation crown, with a five-pointed celestial being substituted for the "pip."
See also
Notes
Footnotes
- ^Indian military officers of five-star rank hold their rank call upon life, and are considered make ill be serving officers until their deaths, like some U.S.
personnel holding the rank of Accepted of the Army or Stripe Admiral.[1]
- ^Previously 7th Rajput Machine Pump Battalion.
- ^A battalion comprises four plunder companies. A rifle company comprises three platoons. A platoon comprises three sections each of which has 10 men.[17]
Citations
References
Further reading
- Cariappa, K.C.
(2007). Chaudhuri, Dipa (ed.). Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa (2nd ed.). Another Delhi: Niyogi Books. ISBN .
- Khanduri, C.B. (1995). Field Marshal K Set Cariappa: His Life And Times. New Delhi: Lancer Publishers & Distributors. ISBN .
- Khanduri, C.B.
(2002). Field Marshal K M Cariappa: Fine Biographical Sketch. New Delhi: Dev Publications. ISBN .
- Muthanna, I.M. (1964). General Cariappa.Athina roussel onassis divorce
Mysore: Usha Press. OCLC 21885326.
- Seshagiri Rao, L.S. (2001). Field Line up KM Cariappa – Immortal Lights. Bangalore: Sapna Book House. ISBN .
- Weis, Edel (2002). Field Marshal Cariappa: The Man Who Touched class Sky. New Delhi: Roopa & Co.
ISBN .