Commanded by Destiny - by General Sm Shrinagesh (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

'. . . for only men with courage and a sense of patriotism join the Armed Forces'.

That is what General Satyawant Mallana Shrinagesh wrote to his son Satish as he contemplated a career in the army.

As India's 2nd Chief of Army Staff in a newly independent India, he truly believed that no services or association in India provides a greater measure of unity or a finer example of nationalism than the armed forces. Witnessing the transition of the Indian Army from a colonial to a national one, he was steadfast in his belief that a free India needed a strong army to defend it.

He was instrumental in modernizing the Indian Army as we know it today, and broke the myth that Indians were incapable of strong military leadership. As Corps Commander of Jammu & Kashmir during the 1947-48 War with Pakistan, he was the first to introduce tanks at Zoji La to overcome well-entrenched Pakistani defences at such heights. From missions abroad and senior appointments in the Army to becoming Chief of Army Staff, and later, the first ever military officer to be appointed as governor of a state, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Mysore (now Karnataka), the book the book recounts in vivid detail the life of a man who led a distinguished career of service to the nation.

Based on notes left by the late General and preserved by the family, is an exhaustive and inspirational account of an extraordinary soldier who would become one of India's greatest generals.

Review Quotes

'General Shrinagesh's contribution to modernising the post independent Indian Army and bringing about significant stability in military organisations, structures and dastoors is immense. The book, in addition to being a historical account, is an inspiring read on one of India's greatest military leaders.' Lt. Gen. KJS Dhillon-- "'General Shrinagesh's contribution to modernising the post independent Indian Army and bringing abou"

About the Author

General Satyawant Mallanna Shrinagesh was an Indian military officer who served as the 2nd Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army from 1955 till 1957. General Shrinagesh retired on 7 May 1957, completing 34 years of distinguished military service. Post retirement, he served as the governor of Assam from 1959 to 1962, then as the governor of Andhra Pradesh from 1962 to 1964 and finally as Governor of Mysore (now Karnataka) from 1964 to 1965. He also served as principal of the Administrative Staff College of India in Hyderabad, Hyderabad State from 1957 to 1959.