Rajendrasinhji Jadeja

General Rajendrasinhji Jadeja DSO (June 15, 1899-January 1, 1964), also known as Maharaj Sri Ranjitsinhji, Kumar Sri Rajendrasinhji and K.S. Rajendrasinhji, was the second Chief of Army Staff of the Indian army, and the second Indian, after Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa, to head the Indian Army.

Personal life

Rajendrasinhji was born on June 15, 1899, at Sarodar in the Kathiawar region of what is now the western Indian state of Gujarat. He was the third son of Savaisinhji Jadeja and his wife Vasant Kunwarba. The family belonged to the ruling dynasty of Nawanagar princely state and Savaisinhji was a nephew and cousin respectively of K.S. Ranjitsinhji and K.S.Duleepsinhji, two cricketing luminaries produced by that family. In 1928, Rajendrasingh wed Maya Kunwarba. The couple became the parents of three children. Rajendrasinhji died on January 1, 1964.

Career

Rajendrasinhji attended Rajkumar College in Rajkot and then, having resolved upon pursuing a military career, he joined the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 2nd Royal Lancers in 1922. He held various ranks and offices in the British Indian Army and served with distinction during World War II. He was also deputed to serve as Military Attaché in Washington DC in 1945-46.

World War II

In 1941, Rajendrasinhji was sent to the North Africa theatre as a squadron commander of the 2nd Lancers. During the course action, his brigade was surrounded at Mechili by numerically superior Axis forces. Being encircled, the allied forces were left with no option but to hazard a headlong foray through the enemy forces, into the desert. Rajendrasinhji's squadron took the rearguard position during this operation. While the vanguard suffered much loss of life by a German tank attack, Ranjitsinhji's squadron was not seriously impacted. He led his squadron in a charge through the enemy ranks, and they gained respite in the safety of some nearby hills. The squadron essayed further action on the enemy forces after nightfall and achieved considerable success; indeed, it returned to base with sixty prisoners of war.

For his courageous leadership and determined action, Ranjitsinhji was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). He was the first Indian to be honoured with this decoration during World War II.

In India

The Independence of India (1947) caused an upheaval in both the security situation and the dynamics of the Indian army. The partition of India meant the division of the Indian army, which was concurrently called upon to deal with several critical security situations arising from the partition of the country and the integration of the princely states. Also during this period, British officers who held most of the senior ranks in the Indian army were gradually disengaged, being replaced with Indian officers. During this critical period, Rajendrasinhji was called upon to shoulder many onerous responsibilities and received rapid promotion in rank commensurately. He was made Brigadier in 1946, Major-General in 1947 and Lt. General in 1948. He served successively as General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Delhi and East Punjab (1947-48); GOC Eastern Command (1948); and GOC Southern Command (1948-53). Operation Polo, which resulted in the integration of Hyderabad State with India, was executed during his term in office as GOC (South).

As the senior-most serving officer in the army, Rajendrasinhji was appointed Commander-in-Chief of India on January 14, 1953, following the retirement of General (later Field Marshal) K.M. Cariappa. Rajendrasinhji received the rank of General on the same day. With effect from April 1, 1955, the President of India was constitutionally designated the Commander-in-chief of India's armed forces. Rajendrasinhji then became the first head of the Indian army to be was designated Chief of Army Staff. He held that office until his retirement from service on May 14, 1955 and was succeeded by Gen. S.M. Srinagesh.

Promotions and Dates of Rank

2nd Lieutenant, British Army (July 14, 1921)

Lieutenant (October 14, 1923)

Captain (July 14, 1929)

"Brevet Major (January 1, 1937)"

Major (August 1, 1938)

"Acting Lieutenant-Colonel (November 29, 1943)"

"Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel (February 29, 1944)"

Lieutenant-Colonel (June 7, 1946)

Brigadier (1946)

Major-General, Indian Army (1947)

Lieutenant-General, Indian Army (1948)

General, Indian Army (January 15, 1953)

Decorations

*First Indian commissioned officer to be awarded the DSO during World War II
*Mentioned in Despatches (1941)
*India General Service Medal (1941)
*1939-1945 Star
*Africa Star
*Burma Star
*British Defence Medal (1945)
*British War Medal (1945)
*Officer of the Legion of Merit of the USA (1948)
*Indian Independence Medal (1947)
*King George V Silver Jubilee Medal (1935)
*King George VI Coronation Medal (1937)

References

* [http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Army-Chiefs/Chiefs-Army04.html Profile on the website of the Indian Army]
* [http://www.4dw.net/royalark/India/nawana9.htm Family history]
* [http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/dec/18chin.htm Offer of supecession?] [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000130/spectrum/books.htm Another such suggestion]
* [http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/01/18/stories/2005011801880900.htm Khadakvasla inaugurated on his watch]
* [http://www.defenceindia.com/defenceind/indian_army_chief.html Dates as head of the army]
* [http://mahabubnagar.tripod.com/Nizam_Dynasty.htm GOC-in-C, Southern Command during Operation Polo]

Persondata
NAME=Jadeja, Rajendrasinhji
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=High-ranking Indian military officer
DATE OF BIRTH=June 15, 1899
PLACE OF BIRTH=Gujarat, India
DATE OF DEATH=January 1, 1964
PLACE OF DEATH=