Field Marshal K M Cariappa, fondly known as 'Kipper', was born on 28th January 1900 in Mercara state, now called Karnataka. He received the King's Commission in 1919 with the first group of Indian cadets, and in 1933, was the first Indian officer to join Staff College, Quetta. In 1942, Lt Col K M Cariappa raised 7th Rajput Machine Gun Battalion (now 17 Rajput). In 1946, as a Brigadier, he joined the Imperial Defence College, UK. Recalled from the UK to serve as a member of the Army Sub Committee of the Forces Reconstitution Committee, during the partition, he achieved an amicable settlement for the division of the army between India and Pakistan.
On 21st November 1947, Lieutenant General Cariappa took over as Army Commander, Eastern Command.On 20th January 1948, he took over as Army Commander, Delhi and East Punjab Command (now Western Command). Finally on 15th January 1949, General Cariappa became the first Commander - in - Chief of the Indian Army. He was appointed Colonel of the Rajput Regiment from 1949 to 1959. A veteran soldier, he has served with 2/125 Napier rifles, 1/7 Dogra and 1/7 Rajput. He had campaigned in Iraq, Syria and Iran. He won the award of OBE in 1945 while serving as the Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General with 26 Indian Division in the Arakans. He also commanded the Bannu Frontier. General K M Cariappa relinquished his office of the Chief of the Army Staff on 14th January 1953.
He was the Indian High Commissioner to Australia for two and a half years. In 1986, General K M Cariappa was honored with the rank of Field Marshal by the President of India. Finally on 15th May 1993, a glorious chapter of the Rajput Regiment and the Indian Army came to an end with the passing away of Field Marshal K M Cariappa, OBE.
