K. M. Cariappa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Indian High Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand | |
| In office 1954–1956 | |
| Preceded by | M.S. Duleepsinghji |
| Succeeded by | K. R. P. Singh |
| 4th Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee | |
| In office 14 October 1951 – 14 January 1953 | |
| President | Rajendra Prasad |
| Prime Minister | Jawaharlal Nehru |
| Preceded by | Edward Parry |
| Succeeded by | Mark Pizey |
| 2nd Commander-in-Chief, Indian Army | |
| In office 15 January 1949 – 14 January 1953 | |
| President | Rajendra Prasad (from 1950) |
| Prime Minister | Jawaharlal Nehru |
| Governor-General | C. Rajagopalachari (until 1950) |
| Preceded by | F. R. Roy Bucher |
| Succeeded by | Rajendrasinhji Jadeja |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 January 1899 Shanivarsanthe, Coorg Province, British India |
| Died | 15 May 1993 (aged 94) Bangalore, Karnataka, India |
| Children | K. C. Cariappa |
| Nickname | Kipper |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  British India India |
| Branch/service |  British Indian Army Indian Army |
| Years of service |
|
| Rank |  Field Marshal |
| Unit | Rajput Regiment |
| Commands | |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | |
Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa, OBE MiD (28 January 1899 – 15 May 1993) was an Indian military officer and diplomat who was the Indian Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Indian Army. He led Indian forces on the Western Front during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. He was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army in 1949. He is one of only two Indian Army officers to hold the five-star rank of Field Marshal; the other being Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.[1]
His distinguished military career spanned almost three decades. Born in Madikeri, Kodagu, Cariappa joined the British Indian Army shortly after the end of World War I, and was commissioned as a temporary first lieutenant into the 2/88 Carnatic Infantry. He was transferred between multiple regiments early in his career before settling on 1/7 Rajputs, which became his permanent regiment.
He was the first Indian military officer to attend the Staff College, Quetta, the first Indian to command a battalion, and was also one of the first two Indians selected to undergo training at the Imperial Defence College in Camberley. He served in various staff capacities at various unit and command headquarters (HQ) and also at the General HQ, New Delhi. Before taking over as the C-in-C of the Indian Army, Cariappa served as the commander of the Indian Army's Eastern and Western Commands.
- ^ a b Anwesha Madhukalya (24 February 2016). "Did You Know That Only 3 People Have Been Given The Highest Ranks in the Indian Armed Forces?". Scoop Whoop. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
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