Question

Who out of the following options had served as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army?
1. General Sam Manekshaw
2. General Arjan Singh
3. General K. M. Cariappa
4. General Maharaj Rajendra Sinhji 

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : General K. M. Cariappa

The answer is General K.M. Cariappa.

• General K.M. Cariappa:
  • Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa was the Indian Army's first Commander-in-Chief.
  • During the 1947 Indo-Pakistani War, he commanded Indian forces on the Western Front.

• Army Day (15 January):
  • On this historic day in 1949, General KM Cariappa became the first Indian to take command of the Indian Army.
  • He took over from General Sir Francis Robert Roy Bucher who was the last English commander of our nation's army. 
• Veteran Day (14 January):
  • The day is commemorated as a mark of respect and gratitude for Field Marshal KM Cariappa's service, which ended on January 14, 1953.
  • Since 2017, the 14th of January has been observed to recognise and honour our veterans' selfless devotion and sacrifice in the service of the country.

• Famous defence personnel of India:

First Field Marshal	General S. F. J. Manekshaw
First Indian Chief of Air Staff	Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee
First Chief of Army Staff	General Maharaja Sri Rajendra Singh Ji Jadeja
First Chief of Naval Staff	Vice Admiral R. D. Katari
First Chief of Defence Staff	General Bipin Rawat
First Person to get Paramvir Chakra	Major Somnath Sharma