Army Day 2025: Who was Field Marshal Cariappa? Those who are associated with the memories of Army Day, what happened on 15th January?

First Field Marshal and Army Chief of independent India

KM Cariappa, the first Field Marshal of independent India, became the Chief of the Indian Army on 15 January 1949. he/she was the first Indian general to command the Indian Army, before which all British officers had been commanders of the Indian Army.

Apart from being the first Army Chief, he/she was the first five star rank officer of the Indian Army. he/she retired in the year 1953 after serving the country in the Indian Army for thirty years. However, even after retirement, Field Marshal Cariappa continued to contribute to the Indian Army in some way or the other. KM Cariappa died on 15 May 1993 in Bengaluru at the age of 94.

Full name and education of KM Cariappa

Kodandera Madappa Cariappa, who started his/her career as Second Lieutenant in the Rajput Regiment of the Indian-British Army, was born on 28 January 1899 in Karnataka. his/her early education was from Madikeri Central High School. he/she completed his/her studies from Madras Presidency College.

First posting on the post of Second Lieutenant

Of. After completing his/her studies, M. Cariappa was selected for the Army Training School located in Indore. After completing training from the Army Training School, he/she was commissioned in the army in the year 1919. he/she was posted as a second lieutenant in the Indian Army.

Army got Indian commander for the first time

On January 15, 1949, the British government handed over the command of the Indian Army for the first time and during this time Cariappa was serving in the army as Lieutenant General.

Field Marshal Cariappa was appointed Chief of the Army Staff of India on 15 January 1949. On this day the Indian officer got the post of Commander-in-Chief. Earlier, Britishers were appointed to this post.

Indian Army Day on 15 January

General Cariappa had replaced General Sir Francis Butcher as the Indian Army Chief. This day is celebrated as Army Day every year in India because he/she assumed charge as the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army on 15 January.

first field marshal

After serving as Army Chief, KM Cariappa retired from the Army in 1953, after which he/she was made Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand. The Government of India honored him/her by giving him/her the post of ‘Field Marshal’ in the year 1986. After retirement, KM Cariappa settled in Madikeri in Kodagu district of Karnataka.