Paramasiva Prabhakar Kumaramangalam: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Indian Army general (1913–2000)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
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| birth_date          = {{Birth date|df=yes|1913|7|01}}
| birth_date          = {{Birth date|df=yes|1913|7|01}}
| death_date          = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2000|03|13|1913|7|01}}
| death_date          = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2000|03|13|1913|7|01}}
| birth_place        = [[Kumaramangalam]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British Raj]]
| birth_place        = [[Kumaramangalam]],<br/>[[Administrative divisions of Madras Presidency#Salem|Salem District]],<br/>[[Madras Presidency]],<br/>[[British Raj|British India]]<br/>(now [[Namakkal district]],<br/>[[Tamil Nadu]], India)
| death_place        = [[Chennai, Tamil Nadu]]
| death_place        = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| resting_place      = [[Chennai, Tamil Nadu]]
| resting_place      = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| placeofburial_label =  
| placeofburial_label =  
| module              = {{Infobox military person | embed=yes
| module              = {{Infobox military person | embed=yes
| nickname    =  
| nickname    =  
| allegiance  = {{flag|British India}} (1933-1947) <br />{{flag|India}} (after 1947)
| allegiance  = {{flag|British India}} (1933–1947) <br />{{flag|India}} (after 1947)
| branch      = {{army|British India}}<br/>{{army|India}}
| branch      = {{army|British India}}<br/>{{army|India}}
| serviceyears = 1933–1969
| serviceyears = 1933–1969
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| unit        = [[Regiment of Artillery (India)|Regiment of Artillery]]
| unit        = [[Regiment of Artillery (India)|Regiment of Artillery]]
| commands    = [[File:IA Eastern Command.jpg|20px]][[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Army]]
| commands    = [[File:IA Eastern Command.jpg|20px]][[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Army]]
| battles      = [[World War II]]<br />[[Indo-Pakistan War of 1947]]<br />[[Sino-Indian War]]<br />[[Indo-Pakistan War of 1965]]<br />[[Nathu La and Cho La clashes]]
| battles      = [[World War II]]<br />[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947]]<br />[[Sino-Indian War]]<br />[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]<br />[[Nathu La and Cho La clashes|Second Sino-Indian War]]
| awards      = [[File:Padma Vibhushan Ribbon.svg|23px]][[Padma Vibhushan]]<br />[[File:Dso-ribbon.svg|23px]][[Distinguished Service Order (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Service Order]] <br />[[File:Order of the British Empire (Military) Ribbon.svg|23px]][[Order of the British Empire|Member of the Order of the British Empire]]
| awards      = [[File:Padma Vibhushan Ribbon.svg|23px]] [[Padma Vibhushan]]<br />[[File:Dso-ribbon.svg|23px]] [[Distinguished Service Order (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Service Order]] <br />[[File:Order of the British Empire (Military) Ribbon.svg|23px]] [[Order of the British Empire|Member of the Order of the British Empire]]
| relations    = [[P. Subbarayan]] (Father)<br/>[[Mohan Kumaramangalam]] (Brother)<br/>[[Rangarajan Mohan Kumaramangalam]] (Brother's Grandson)
| relations    = [[P. Subbarayan]] (Father)<br/>[[Mohan Kumaramangalam]] (Brother)<br/>Rangarajan Mohan Kumaramangalam (Brother's Grandson)
| laterwork    =  
| laterwork    =  
| signature    =  
| signature    =  
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}}
}}


[[General (India)|General]] '''Paramasiva Prabhakar Kumaramangalam''', {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|commas=on|DSO|MBE|FRHS}} (1 July 1913 – 13 March 2000) was the 6th [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]] (COAS) of the [[Indian Army]] from 1967 to 1969. He was one of the last British-trained [[King's Commissioned Indian Officer]] (KCIO) to serve in the [[Indian Army]], and the last KCIO to lead the Indian Army.
[[General (India)|General]] '''Paramasiva Prabhakar Kumaramangalam''' {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|DSO|MBE|FRHS}} (1 July 1913 – 13 March 2000) was a  senior [[Indian Army]] officer, serving as [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]] between 1966 and 1969. He was the last [[King's Commissioned Indian Officer]] (KCIO) to lead the Indian Army.


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Kumaramangalam was born to [[P. Subbarayan]], who served as [[Chief Minister]] of the [[Madras Presidency]] between 1926 and 1930, and was a member of the zamindari family of [[Kumaramangalam]] from [[Tiruchengode|Thiruchengode]] [[Taluk]], [[Namakkal district|Namakkal District]], [[Tamil Nadu]].  
Kumaramangalam was born to [[P. Subbarayan]], who served as [[Chief Minister]] of the [[Madras Presidency]] between 1926 and 1930, and was a member of the zamindari family of [[Kumaramangalam]] from [[Tiruchengode|Thiruchengode]] [[Taluk]], [[Namakkal district|Namakkal District]], [[Tamil Nadu]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}


He was educated at the [[Preparatory school (United Kingdom)|preparatory]] [[St Hugh's School, Faringdon|St Hugh's School]] (then in [[Kent]]), and at [[Eton College]]. He then studied at the [[Royal Military Academy Woolwich|Royal Military Academy, Woolwich]], and was commissioned into the [[British Indian Army]] as an unattached [[second lieutenant]] in 1933.<ref name="commission">{{London Gazette|issue=33974|page=5733|date=1 September 1933}}</ref> He was appointed to the [[British Indian Army]] on the 12th of November, 1934.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=34129|page=775|date=1 February 1935}}</ref>
He was educated at the [[Preparatory school (United Kingdom)|preparatory]] [[St Hugh's School, Faringdon|St Hugh's School]] (then in [[Kent]]), and at [[Eton College]].{{cn|date=June 2025}} He then studied at the [[Royal Military Academy Woolwich|Royal Military Academy, Woolwich]], and was commissioned into the [[British Indian Army]] as an unattached [[second lieutenant]] in 1933.<ref name="commission">{{London Gazette|issue=33974|page=5733|date=1 September 1933}}</ref> He was appointed to the [[British Indian Army]] on 12 November 1934.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=34129|page=775|date=1 February 1935}}</ref>


==Military life==
==Military life==


===World War II===
===World War II===
During [[World War II]], he was awarded the [[Distinguished Service Order]] (DSO) as a temporary major for action in [[Libya]] on 27 May 1942 at Point 171, south of Bir Hakiem commanding the 7th Field Battery, [[ 2 Medium Regiment (Self Propelled) (Letse & Point 171)|2nd Field Regiment]], Indian Artillery.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=35665 |supp=y|page=3543|date=11 August 1942}}</ref>
During [[World War II]], he was awarded the [[Distinguished Service Order]] (DSO) as a temporary major for action in [[Libya]] on 27 May 1942 at Point 171, south of Bir Hakiem commanding the 7th Field Battery, [[ 2 Medium Regiment (Self Propelled) (Letse & Point 171)|2nd Field Regiment]], Indian Artillery.<ref name="DSO">{{cite web |title=Page 3543 {{!}} Issue 35665, 11 August 1942 {{!}} London Gazette {{!}} The Gazette |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35665/page/3543 |website=www.thegazette.co.uk}}</ref>


The citation recommending Kumaramangalam for a Distinguished Service Order runs as follows:<ref name="DSO_cite">{{cite web |url=http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7358935|title=Recommendation for Award for Kumaramangalam, Paramasiva Prabhakar |website=The National Archives (UK)|publisher=UK Government |access-date=4 November 2018}}</ref>
The citation recommending Kumaramangalam for a Distinguished Service Order runs as follows:<ref name="DSO_cite">{{cite web |url=http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7358935|title=Recommendation for Award for Kumaramangalam, Paramasiva Prabhakar |website=The National Archives (UK)|publisher=UK Government |access-date=4 November 2018}}</ref>
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For great courage and devotion to duty.
For great courage and devotion to duty.


On 27 May 1942 during the action which took place 3 miles S.E. of BIR HACHEIM, Major Kumaramangalam showed great bravery in controlling the fire of his battery under heavy enemy fire. He continually encouraged the gun detachments, and by his cool demeanour in the face of machine gun and anti-tank fire from enemy tanks undoubtedly inspired his men with the confidence with which they withstood the final tank attack. When one of his troops was over run and captured, he acquired an armoured car left at the position and tried to drive the Italian tanks away which were encircling it. Subsequently he led a patrol back to the position and recovered three guns.  
On 27 May 1942 during the action which took place 3 miles S.E. of [[Battle of Bir Hakeim|BIR HACHEIM]], Major Kumaramangalam showed great bravery in controlling the fire of his battery under heavy enemy fire. He continually encouraged the gun detachments, and by his cool demeanour in the face of machine gun and anti-tank fire from enemy tanks undoubtedly inspired his men with the confidence with which they withstood the final tank attack. When one of his troops was over run and captured, he acquired an armoured car left at the position and tried to drive the Italian tanks away which were encircling it. Subsequently he led a patrol back to the position and recovered three guns.  
</blockquote>
</blockquote>


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On 18 April 1946, Kumaramangalam was appointed a Member of the [[Order of the British Empire]] (MBE).<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=37536 |supp=y|page=1949|date=16 April 1946}}</ref> He became an acting [[Brigadier]] in 1948, with the substantive rank of lieutenant-colonel, and was promoted to the substantive rank of colonel on 2 February 1951.<ref name="colonel">{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=57  |date=24 March 1951 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1951/O-2306-1951-0012-107780.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> As a brigadier, he was appointed to command a paratroop brigade on 14 February 1955,<ref name="brig">{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=72  |date=9 April 1955 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1955/O-2198-1955-0015-100713.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> and was given command of an infantry division on 9 September 1956, with the acting rank of major-general.<ref name="actg_maj_gen">{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=2  |date=5 January 1957 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1957/O-2120-1957-0001-96124.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
On 18 April 1946, Kumaramangalam was appointed a Member of the [[Order of the British Empire]] (MBE).<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=37536 |supp=y|page=1949|date=16 April 1946}}</ref> He became an acting [[Brigadier]] in 1948, with the substantive rank of lieutenant-colonel, and was promoted to the substantive rank of colonel on 2 February 1951.<ref name="colonel">{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=57  |date=24 March 1951 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1951/O-2306-1951-0012-107780.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> As a brigadier, he was appointed to command a paratroop brigade on 14 February 1955,<ref name="brig">{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=72  |date=9 April 1955 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1955/O-2198-1955-0015-100713.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> and was given command of an infantry division on 9 September 1956, with the acting rank of major-general.<ref name="actg_maj_gen">{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=2  |date=5 January 1957 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1957/O-2120-1957-0001-96124.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>


Kumaramangalam was promoted to substantive major-general on 1 August 1958,<ref name="maj_gen">{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=261  |date=24 October 1959 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1959/O-1989-1959-0043-89834.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>  and appointed the [[Commandant of the Defence Services Staff College|Commandant]] of the [[Defence Services Staff College]] on 25 February 1959.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=2  |date=9 May 1959 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1959/O-1985-1959-0019-89537.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>  He was appointed Adjutant-General on 5 October 1959, with the acting rank of lieutenant-general.<ref name="actg_lt_gen">{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=286  |date=21 November 1959 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1959/O-1989-1959-0047-89838.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> Promoted lieutenant-general on 8 May 1961,<ref name="lt_gen">{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=245  |date=16 September 1961 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1961/O-1910-1961-0037-85901.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> he took over as [[General Officer Commanding-in-Chief|General Officer Commanding]], [[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Command]] on 1 May 1963, with appointment as GOC-in-C, Eastern Command on 4 April 1964.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=172  |date=2 May 1964 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1964/O-1797-1964-0018-81928.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>  On 16 November 1964 he was appointed Deputy Chief of the Army Staff,<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=509  |date=19 December 1964 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1964/O-1799-1964-0051-82054.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> followed by appointment as Vice Chief of the Army Staff on 15 January 1965.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=73  |date=6 February 1965 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1965/O-1725-1965-0006-78835.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> General Kumaramangalam took over as the Chief of the Army Staff on 8 June 1966,<ref name="COAS">{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=375  |date=25 June 1966 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1966/O-1663-1966-0026-75847.pdf|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> the first Indian gunner officer and paratrooper to reach this coveted appointment. The tenure of General Kumaramangalam as Chief of the Army Staff was marked by an unpublicised but exhaustive re-organisation of the service, up-gradation of weapons, training and tactics based on the lessons learned from the [[1965 War]]. He served in the Indian Army with distinction for 36 years until his retirement on 7 June 1969. He received the [[Padma Vibushan]] in 1970.
Kumaramangalam was promoted to substantive major-general on 1 August 1958,<ref name="maj_gen">{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=261  |date=24 October 1959 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1959/O-1989-1959-0043-89834.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>  and appointed the [[Commandant of the Defence Services Staff College|Commandant]] of the [[Defence Services Staff College]] on 25 February 1959.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=2  |date=9 May 1959 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1959/O-1985-1959-0019-89537.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>  He was appointed Adjutant-General on 5 October 1959, with the acting rank of lieutenant-general.<ref name="actg_lt_gen">{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=286  |date=21 November 1959 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1959/O-1989-1959-0047-89838.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> Promoted lieutenant-general on 8 May 1961,<ref name="lt_gen">{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=245  |date=16 September 1961 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1961/O-1910-1961-0037-85901.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> he took over as [[General Officer Commanding-in-Chief|General Officer Commanding]], [[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Command]] on 1 May 1963, with appointment as GOC-in-C, Eastern Command on 4 April 1964.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=172  |date=2 May 1964 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1964/O-1797-1964-0018-81928.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>  On 16 November 1964 he was appointed [[Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Deputy Chief of the Army Staff]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=509  |date=19 December 1964 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1964/O-1799-1964-0051-82054.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> followed by appointment as Vice Chief of the Army Staff on 15 January 1965.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=73  |date=6 February 1965 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1965/O-1725-1965-0006-78835.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> General Kumaramangalam took over as the Chief of the Army Staff on 8 June 1966,<ref name="COAS">{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=375  |date=25 June 1966 |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1966/O-1663-1966-0026-75847.pdf|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> the first Indian gunner officer and paratrooper to reach this coveted appointment. The tenure of General Kumaramangalam as Chief of the Army Staff was marked by an unpublicised but exhaustive re-organisation of the service, up-gradation of weapons, training and tactics based on the lessons learned from the [[1965 War]]. He served in the Indian Army with distinction for 36 years until his retirement on 7 June 1969. He received the [[Padma Vibushan]] in 1970.


===Views on America===
===Views on America===
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==Other interests==
==Other interests==
He was also a [[polo]] player, horseman, [[show jumping|show jumper]], and [[cricket (game)|cricketer]]. He was a member of the [[Marylebone Cricket Club]], a fellow of the [[Royal Horticultural Society]], and president of [[Indian Polo Association]] and Equestrian Federation of India. On retirement as army chief, he was elected President of the [[World Wide Fund for Nature|World Wildlife Fund - India]] (WWF-India) during its formative stages.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://factstasy.blogspot.in/2012/04/list-of-chief-of-army-staff-of-ndian.html#.Vdldjvmqqko|title = List of Chief of Army staff of the !ndian army|date = 17 April 2012}}</ref>
He was also a [[polo]] player, horseman, [[show jumping|show jumper]], and [[cricket (game)|cricketer]]. He was a member of the [[Marylebone Cricket Club]], a fellow of the [[Royal Horticultural Society]], and president of [[Indian Polo Association]] and [[Equestrian Federation of India]]. On retirement as army chief, he was elected President of the [[World Wide Fund for Nature|World Wildlife Fund - India]] (WWF-India) during its formative stages.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://factstasy.blogspot.in/2012/04/list-of-chief-of-army-staff-of-ndian.html#.Vdldjvmqqko|title = List of Chief of Army staff of the Indian army|date = 17 April 2012}}</ref>


==Death==
==Death==
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|[[Padma Vibhushan]]
|[[Padma Vibhushan]]
|[[Sena Medal]]
|[[Sena Medal]]
|Sainya Seva Medal
|[[Sainya Seva Medal]]
|[[General Service Medal 1947]]
|[[General Service Medal 1947]]
|[[Indian Independence Medal]]
|[[Indian Independence Medal]]
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|align="center" |[[File:British_Army_(1920-1953)_OF-1b.svg|25px]] || [[Lieutenant (British Army and Royal Marines)|Lieutenant]] || British Indian Army || 2 May 1935.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=34173|page=4012|date=21 June  1935}}</ref>  
|align="center" |[[File:British_Army_(1920-1953)_OF-1b.svg|25px]] || [[Lieutenant (British Army and Royal Marines)|Lieutenant]] || British Indian Army || 2 May 1935.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=34173|page=4012|date=21 June  1935}}</ref>  
|-
|-
|align="center" |[[File:British_Army_(1920-1953)_OF-2.svg|25px]] || [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|Captain]] || British Indian Army  || 1940 (acting)<br/>3 February 1940 (temporary)<ref name="Indian_Army_List_45">{{cite book|pages=187|title=Indian Army List for October 1945 (Part I)|publisher=Government of India Press|year=1945}}</ref><br/>2 February 1941 (substantive)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=35165|page=2827|date=16 May 1941}}</ref>  
|align="center" |[[File:British Army (1920–1953) OF-2.svg|25px]] || [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|Captain]] || British Indian Army  || 1940 (acting)<br/>3 February 1940 (temporary)<ref name="Indian_Army_List_45">{{cite book|pages=187|title=Indian Army List for October 1945 (Part I)|publisher=Government of India Press|year=1945}}</ref><br/>2 February 1941 (substantive)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=35165|page=2827|date=16 May 1941}}</ref>  
|-
|-
|align="center" |[[File:British_Army_(1920-1953)_OF-3.svg|25px]] || [[Major (United Kingdom)|Major]] ||British Indian Army || 1942 (temporary)<br/>1 July 1946 (substantive)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=38069|page=4286|date=12 September 1947}}</ref>
|align="center" |[[File:British_Army_(1920-1953)_OF-3.svg|25px]] || [[Major (United Kingdom)|Major]] ||British Indian Army || 1942 (temporary)<br/>1 July 1946 (substantive)<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=38069|page=4286|date=12 September 1947}}</ref>
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{{S-start}}
{{S-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-mil}}
{{Succession box
{{s-bef|before = P. S. Gyani}}
| before = [[Joyanto Nath Chaudhuri]]
{{s-ttl|title = [[Commandant of the Defence Services Staff College]]| years = 1963–1964}}
|title = [[Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army|Chief of Army Staff]]
{{s-aft|rows=2|after = [[Sam Manekshaw]]}}
| years = 1966–1969
{{s-bef|before = [[T. B. Henderson Brooks]]}}
| after = [[Sam Manekshaw]]
{{s-ttl|title = [[General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command]]| years = 1964–1964}}
}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Mohinder Singh Wadalia]]}}
{{succession box
{{s-ttl|title = [[Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Deputy Chief of the Army Staff]]| years = 1964–1965}}
|before = [[T. B. Henderson Brooks]]
{{s-aft|after = Moti Sagar}}
|title = [[General_officer_commanding#Usage_in_the_Indian_Army|General Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] [[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Command]]
{{s-new|reason = New office}}
|years = 1963-1964
{{s-ttl|title = [[Vice Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Army Staff]]| years = 1965–1966}}
|after =[[Sam Manekshaw]]
{{s-aft|after = [[Kashmir Singh Katoch]]}}
}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Joyanto Nath Chaudhuri]]}}
{{S-end}}
{{s-ttl|title = [[Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army|Chief of the Army Staff]]| years = 1966–1969}}
{{s-aft|after = [[Sam Manekshaw]]}}
{{s-end}}
 
{{Padma Vibhushan Awards}}
{{Padma Vibhushan Awards}}
{{Chief of the Army Staff India}}
{{Chief of the Army Staff India}}
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[[Category:Graduates of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich]]
[[Category:Chiefs of Army Staff (India)]]
[[Category:Chiefs of Army Staff (India)]]
[[Category:Vice Chiefs of Army Staff (India)]]
[[Category:Vice chiefs of Army Staff (India)]]
[[Category:Companions of the Distinguished Service Order]]
[[Category:Companions of the Distinguished Service Order]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan in civil service]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan in civil service]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Kumaramangalam family|Paramasiva]]
[[Category:Kumaramangalam family|Paramasiva]]
[[Category:Indian Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Indian Army personnel of World War II]]
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[[Category:World War II prisoners of war held by Germany]]
[[Category:World War II prisoners of war held by Germany]]
[[Category:British Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:British Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:Indian generals]]
[[Category:Fellows of the Royal Horticultural Society]]
[[Category:Fellows of the Royal Horticultural Society]]
[[Category:Indian Members of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Indian Members of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Indian Companions of the Distinguished Service Order]]
[[Category:Indian Companions of the Distinguished Service Order]]
[[Category:Commandants of Defence Services Staff College]]
[[Category:Deputy chiefs of Army Staff (India)]]

Latest revision as of 00:48, 26 December 2025


General
P P Kumaramangalam
DSO, MBE, FRHS
6th Chief of the Army Staff
In office
8 June 1966 – 7 June 1969
PresidentZakir Husain
V. V. Giri
Prime MinisterIndira Gandhi
Preceded byGeneral Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri
Succeeded byField Marshal S.H.F.J. Manekshaw
Personal details
Born
Paramasiva Prabhakar Kumaramangalam

(1913-07-01)1 July 1913
Kumaramangalam,
Salem District,
Madras Presidency,
British India
(now Namakkal district,
Tamil Nadu, India)
Died13 March 2000(2000-03-13) (aged 86)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Resting placeChennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Military career
Allegiance British India (1933–1947)
 India (after 1947)
Service/branch British Indian Army
 Indian Army
Years of service1933–1969
Rank General
Service numberIA-1282[1]
UnitRegiment of Artillery
Commands heldEastern Army
Battles/warsWorld War II
Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
Sino-Indian War
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Second Sino-Indian War
Awards Padma Vibhushan
Distinguished Service Order
Member of the Order of the British Empire
RelationsP. Subbarayan (Father)
Mohan Kumaramangalam (Brother)
Rangarajan Mohan Kumaramangalam (Brother's Grandson)

General Paramasiva Prabhakar Kumaramangalam DSO MBE FRHS (1 July 1913 – 13 March 2000) was a senior Indian Army officer, serving as Chief of the Army Staff between 1966 and 1969. He was the last King's Commissioned Indian Officer (KCIO) to lead the Indian Army.

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Kumaramangalam was born to P. Subbarayan, who served as Chief Minister of the Madras Presidency between 1926 and 1930, and was a member of the zamindari family of Kumaramangalam from Thiruchengode Taluk, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu.[citation needed]

He was educated at the preparatory St Hugh's School (then in Kent), and at Eton College.[citation needed] He then studied at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and was commissioned into the British Indian Army as an unattached second lieutenant in 1933.[2] He was appointed to the British Indian Army on 12 November 1934.[3]

Military life[edit | edit source]

World War II[edit | edit source]

During World War II, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) as a temporary major for action in Libya on 27 May 1942 at Point 171, south of Bir Hakiem commanding the 7th Field Battery, 2nd Field Regiment, Indian Artillery.[4]

The citation recommending Kumaramangalam for a Distinguished Service Order runs as follows:[1]

4 June 1942

Captain (Ty. Major) PARAMASIVA PRABHAKAR KUMARAMANGALAM (IA 1282), 2nd Indian Field Regiment, 3rd Indian Motor Brigade

For great courage and devotion to duty.

On 27 May 1942 during the action which took place 3 miles S.E. of BIR HACHEIM, Major Kumaramangalam showed great bravery in controlling the fire of his battery under heavy enemy fire. He continually encouraged the gun detachments, and by his cool demeanour in the face of machine gun and anti-tank fire from enemy tanks undoubtedly inspired his men with the confidence with which they withstood the final tank attack. When one of his troops was over run and captured, he acquired an armoured car left at the position and tried to drive the Italian tanks away which were encircling it. Subsequently he led a patrol back to the position and recovered three guns.

He was taken Prisoner of War (PoW) by the Italians later in 1942 and held in a PoW camp in Italy. With the Italian Armistice in September 1943 he escaped on 19 November;[5] however, he was captured again in January 1944 and imprisoned, this time in Germany, where he was transferred to Stalag Luft III, a high security camp for PoWs. At the end of the war in 1945, he returned to India.

Postwar[edit | edit source]

On 18 April 1946, Kumaramangalam was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).[6] He became an acting Brigadier in 1948, with the substantive rank of lieutenant-colonel, and was promoted to the substantive rank of colonel on 2 February 1951.[7] As a brigadier, he was appointed to command a paratroop brigade on 14 February 1955,[8] and was given command of an infantry division on 9 September 1956, with the acting rank of major-general.[9]

Kumaramangalam was promoted to substantive major-general on 1 August 1958,[10] and appointed the Commandant of the Defence Services Staff College on 25 February 1959.[11] He was appointed Adjutant-General on 5 October 1959, with the acting rank of lieutenant-general.[12] Promoted lieutenant-general on 8 May 1961,[13] he took over as General Officer Commanding, Eastern Command on 1 May 1963, with appointment as GOC-in-C, Eastern Command on 4 April 1964.[14] On 16 November 1964 he was appointed Deputy Chief of the Army Staff[15] followed by appointment as Vice Chief of the Army Staff on 15 January 1965.[16] General Kumaramangalam took over as the Chief of the Army Staff on 8 June 1966,[17] the first Indian gunner officer and paratrooper to reach this coveted appointment. The tenure of General Kumaramangalam as Chief of the Army Staff was marked by an unpublicised but exhaustive re-organisation of the service, up-gradation of weapons, training and tactics based on the lessons learned from the 1965 War. He served in the Indian Army with distinction for 36 years until his retirement on 7 June 1969. He received the Padma Vibushan in 1970.

Views on America[edit | edit source]

General Kumaramangalam trained at the artillery school in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. From his letters it is evident he was not very impressed with the Americans. He saw them as suffering from an "aggressive inferiority complex" and cautioned a newly independent India against coming under American influence. The following is an excerpt from a letter written by him to C. Rajagopalachari in 1947:

"This country is not one that I will ever get fond of. I have not got a very high opinion of them. The people that I have to deal with are very kind, hospitable and have been very good to the two of us. But somehow I feel there is a trace of artificiality in that and also it is the result of trying to impress one. They I think are very jealous of the old world and its background and culture and this results in an aggressive inferiority complex. As for their state of morality, there is none. People seem to delight in trying to outwit each other by any means, mainly crooked. The politicians are racketeers and big business has a tight grip on everything in the country. The small country trader and the farmer I think have their hands securely tied by the big men. I do hope that our country proceeds with caution and doesn't get entirely under the influence of the States."[18]

Other interests[edit | edit source]

He was also a polo player, horseman, show jumper, and cricketer. He was a member of the Marylebone Cricket Club, a fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society, and president of Indian Polo Association and Equestrian Federation of India. On retirement as army chief, he was elected President of the World Wildlife Fund - India (WWF-India) during its formative stages.[19]

Death[edit | edit source]

He died following a heart attack on 13 March 2000.

Awards and decorations[edit | edit source]

Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/alt
Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/alt Template:Ribbon devices/alt
Padma Vibhushan Sena Medal Sainya Seva Medal General Service Medal 1947 Indian Independence Medal
Distinguished Service Order Member of the Order of the British Empire 1939–1945 Star Africa Star War Medal 1939–1945

Dates of rank[edit | edit source]

Insignia Rank Component Date of rank
File:British Army (1920-1953) OF-1a.svg Second Lieutenant British Indian Army 31 August 1933[2]
Lieutenant British Indian Army 2 May 1935.[20]
Captain British Indian Army 1940 (acting)
3 February 1940 (temporary)[21]
2 February 1941 (substantive)[22]
File:British Army (1920-1953) OF-3.svg Major British Indian Army 1942 (temporary)
1 July 1946 (substantive)[23]
File:British Army (1920-1953) OF-3.svg Major Indian Army 15 August 1947[note 1][24]
Brigadier Indian Army 1948 (acting)[note 1][24]
File:British Army (1920-1953) OF-4.svg Lieutenant-Colonel Indian Army 1948[note 1][24]
Lieutenant-Colonel Indian Army 26 January 1950 (substantive; recommissioning)[24][25]
Colonel Indian Army 2 February 1951[7]
Brigadier Indian Army 1955[8]
Major General Indian Army 9 September 1956 (acting)[9]
1 August 1958 (substantive)[10]
Lieutenant-General Indian Army 5 October 1959 (acting)[12]
8 May 1961 (substantive)[13]
General
(COAS)		 Indian Army 8 June 1966[17]

See also[edit | edit source]

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Upon independence in 1947, India became a Dominion within the British Commonwealth of Nations. As a result, the rank insignia of the British Army, incorporating the Tudor Crown and four-pointed Bath Star ("pip"), was retained, as George VI remained Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces. After 26 January 1950, when India became a republic, the President of India became Commander-in-Chief, and the Ashoka Lion replaced the crown, with a five-pointed star being substituted for the "pip."

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Recommendation for Award for Kumaramangalam, Paramasiva Prabhakar". The National Archives (UK). UK Government. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "No. 33974". The London Gazette. 1 September 1933. p. 5733.
  3. ↑ "No. 34129". The London Gazette. 1 February 1935. p. 775.
  4. ↑ "Page 3543 | Issue 35665, 11 August 1942 | London Gazette | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk.
  5. ↑ "Major Kumaramangalam Escapes". The Indian Express. Associated Press. 20 November 1943. p. 1. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  6. ↑ "No. 37536". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 April 1946. p. 1949.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 24 March 1951. p. 57.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 9 April 1955. p. 72.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 5 January 1957. p. 2.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 24 October 1959. p. 261.
  11. ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 9 May 1959. p. 2.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 21 November 1959. p. 286.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 16 September 1961. p. 245.
  14. ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 2 May 1964. p. 172.
  15. ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 19 December 1964. p. 509.
  16. ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 6 February 1965. p. 73.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 25 June 1966. p. 375.
  18. ↑ P.P. Kumaramangalam to C. Rajagopalachari, 22 December 1947, in File 82, Fifth Installment, C. Rajagopalachari Papers, NMML.
  19. ↑ "List of Chief of Army staff of the Indian army". 17 April 2012.
  20. ↑ "No. 34173". The London Gazette. 21 June 1935. p. 4012.
  21. ↑ Indian Army List for October 1945 (Part I). Government of India Press. 1945. p. 187.
  22. ↑ "No. 35165". The London Gazette. 16 May 1941. p. 2827.
  23. ↑ "No. 38069". The London Gazette. 12 September 1947. p. 4286.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 "New Designs of Crests and Badges in the Services" (PDF). Press Information Bureau of India - Archive. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 August 2017.
  25. ↑ "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 11 February 1950. p. 227.
Military offices
Preceded by
P. S. Gyani 		Commandant of the Defence Services Staff College
1963–1964 		Succeeded by
Sam Manekshaw
Preceded by
T. B. Henderson Brooks 		General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command
1964–1964
Preceded by
Mohinder Singh Wadalia 		Deputy Chief of the Army Staff
1964–1965 		Succeeded by
Moti Sagar
New title
New office
 Vice Chief of the Army Staff
1965–1966 		Succeeded by
Kashmir Singh Katoch
Preceded by
Joyanto Nath Chaudhuri 		Chief of the Army Staff
1966–1969 		Succeeded by
Sam Manekshaw

Template:Chief of the Army Staff India

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