India's first Army Commander-in-chief

India had gained independence and it was time for deciding that who would take charge as the Army Commander-in-chief. The then Prime Minister Shri Jawaharlal Nehru said that there were no experienced general who commanded the country's army!

At that time, many big leaders and officials were present in that meeting. Everyone felt very bad about this because Nehru wanted to appoint an Englishman as army Commander!

Hearing this, the Lt. Gen. Thakur Nathu Singh Rathore had said that according to this, we should keep an English man as Prime Minister as well.

Nehru paused for a moment and then asked whether  Lt. Gen. Thakur Nathu Singh Rathore ready to take this charge! To this the later replied that there was one person in the Army who was more adept for this honourable post than himself.He suggested the name of Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa!

After this we got India's first Army General as Cariappa. Lt. Gen. Thakur Nathu Singh Rathore was appointed as deputy commander-in-chief!

Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa was the first Indian commander-in-chief of the Indian Army, taking over from British General Roy Butcher on 15 January 1949.

However, Cariappa's legacy goes far beyond being the first Indian to lead the Army or even being one of only two five-star Army generals who have been awarded the Field Marshal rank. He is also remembered for keeping the army away from politics, and ensuring that people of all caste, creed and religions get recruitment in the Army.