K. M. Cariappa, Army Officer
Army Officer

K. M. Cariappa

Born 28 January 1899 · Karnataka — Died 15 May 1993

First Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army appointed in 1949.

Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa 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.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

KM Cariappa was the first Indian officer to attend the Staff College in Quetta and was also among the first two Indians trained at the Imperial Defence College in Camberley.

The Story

1
In 1919, at Daly Cadet College in Indore, KM Cariappa earned his commission into the British Indian Army, ranking seventh among 42 cadets admitted from 70 applicants.
2
🌍 Cariappa served with the 2/125 Napier Rifles in Mesopotamia (Iraq) in 1920 and later fought in Syria, Iran, and Burma during World War II, showcasing a diverse combat experience across continents.
3In 1947, during the Indo-Pakistani War, he commanded the Indian Army's Western Front, a decisive role in the Kashmir conflict soon after independence.
4🎖️ On January 15, 1949, he became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, replacing General Sir Roy Bucher and initiating the transition from a British-led force to a national army.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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Field Marshal of the Indian Army
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Field Marshal of the Indian Army; Padma Bhushan
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Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

Cariappa graduated seventh in his class at Daly Cadet College, Indore, from a competitive group of 42 cadets selected out of 70 applicants in 1919.

🖼️

Through the Years

5 photographs from the archives
Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa, first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army (1953)
Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa, first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army (1953)
1953
President Giani Zail Singh presenting the Field Marshal rank to K. M. Cariappa (1986)
Indian postage stamp commemorating Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa (1995)
Bust of Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa at National Military Memorial, Bengaluru (2020)
K. M. Cariappa shaking hands with Major Manna Singh in 1950

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Birth in Shanivarsanthe, Coorg
Kodandera Madappa Cariappa was born in the Coorg district of Mysore (now Karnataka), into a Kodava family.
1899
📚
Education
Joined Daly Cadet College, Indore
Selected among 42 cadets from 70 applicants for officer training in the British Indian Army.
1917
⚡
Career
Commissioned as temporary second lieutenant
Graduated and was commissioned into the 2nd Battalion of 88th Carnatic Infantry at Bombay.
1919
⚡
Career
Commanded Western Front in Indo-Pak War
Led Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir conflict during the first Indo-Pakistani War.
1947
⚡
Career
Became first Indian Commander-in-Chief
Took over as Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, replacing British General Sir Roy Bucher.
1949
🏅
Award
Promoted to Field Marshal
Awarded the five-star rank of Field Marshal, one of only two Indians to hold this position.
1955
🕊️
Death
Passed away in Bangalore
Died at the age of 94 in Bangalore, Karnataka.
1993
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

He personally led operations clearing 15 minefields over 55 miles in North Africa during WWII, continuing despite his carrier being destroyed and his eardrum punctured.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 1949, President Harry S. Truman awarded Cariappa the U.S. Legion of Merit, Chief Commander rank, a rare honor for an Indian officer.

03 / 04
👤PERSONAL

During the 1965 Indo-Pak war, Cariappa refused to give his son a command to avoid any perception of favoritism, highlighting his commitment to military ethics.

No quote recorded for K. M. Cariappa yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Interview with Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa | First Indian Commander-in-Chief
More from this archive
Interview with Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa | First Indian Commander-in-Chief
01
Interview with Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa | First Indian Commander-in-Chief
When India's First Army Chief KM Cariappa Chose Duty Over Family
02
When India's First Army Chief KM Cariappa Chose Duty Over Family
Story of Field Marshal KM Cariappa | #RoadtrippinWithRocky S4 | D08V02
03
Story of Field Marshal KM Cariappa | #RoadtrippinWithRocky S4 | D08V02
WHO IS FIELD MARSHAL KM CARIAPPA?? #informative #kmcCarippa
04
WHO IS FIELD MARSHAL KM CARIAPPA?? #informative #kmcCarippa
My Father Was Fearless: Field Marshal KM Cariappa’s Son Goes Down Memory Lane
05
My Father Was Fearless: Field Marshal KM Cariappa’s Son Goes Down Memory Lane
Field Marshal KM Cariappa - A Documentry
06
Field Marshal KM Cariappa - A Documentry
ഇന്ത്യൻ കരസേനയുടെ ആദ്യ​ കമാണ്ടർ-ഇൻ-ചീഫ് | India | K. M. Cariappa
07
ഇന്ത്യൻ കരസേനയുടെ ആദ്യ​ കമാണ്ടർ-ഇൻ-ചീഫ് | India | K. M. Cariappa
KM Cariappa, The First Indian Army Chief
08
KM Cariappa, The First Indian Army Chief
How's The Defence: Army Day 2020 - KM Cariappa | MyNation
09
How's The Defence: Army Day 2020 - KM Cariappa | MyNation
Nayak With Sanjeev Srivastav | Field Marshal K.M.Cariappa | 15th September
10
Nayak With Sanjeev Srivastav | Field Marshal K.M.Cariappa | 15th September

🌱 What changed because of them

Cariappa’s appointment as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief in 1949 marked the start of transforming the Indian Army into a professional, inclusive national force. His creation of the Guards Brigade and Parachute Regiment broke traditional caste and class barriers within the military. His strict adherence to impartiality during wartime set ethical standards still referenced in the Indian Armed Forces.

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