Arjan Singh was an Indian Air Force officer who served as the Air Force Chief from 1964 to 1969. Arjan Singh, who led the Air Force during the Second Kashmir War, was honored with the Padma Vibhushan for his service during the war. He was the first Indian Air Force officer to achieve the Marshal of the Air Force rank.
Sikh warrior Hari Singh Nalwa was one of the most feared army commanders of India and is remembered for his multiple battles against the Afghans. Part of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s army, he had also been the governor of Kashmir, Hazara, and Peshawar. He died during the Battle of Jamrud.
![J. F. R. Jacob J. F. R. Jacob](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/j-f-r-jacob.jpg)
J. F. R. Jacob was an Indian Army officer who played a major role in the Bangladesh War of Independence in 1971; the Indian Army helped Bangladesh attain independence from Pakistan. He also saw action in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and during World War II. J. F. R. Jacob also served as the governor of Punjab and Goa.
![Jagjit Singh Aurora Jagjit Singh Aurora](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/jagjit-singh-aurora.jpg)
Known as The Liberator of Bangladesh, Jagjit Singh Aurora was an Indian army general who was major figure of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. His campaign led to the defeat of the Pakistan Armed Forces, eventually leading to the formation of Bangladesh. The Padma Bhushan winner later joined politics.
![K. M. Cariappa K. M. Cariappa](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/field-marshal-k-m-cariappa-1.jpg)
The Indian Army’s first chief of staff in the post-independence era, Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa was a legendary military officer. He transformed the Indian army from its British avatar to a more national military force. He also became one of 2 Indians to earn the Five-star rank of Field Marshal.
![Somnath Sharma Somnath Sharma](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/som-nath-sharma.jpg)
Indian Army officer Som Nath Sharma was no stranger to the army culture, being born into an army family. He received the Param Vir Chakra honour posthumously, for defending Srinagar airport during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948, and was the first recipient of the award.
![Malik Ambar Malik Ambar](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/malik-ambar-1.jpg)
Malik Ambar was a Siddi military leader who served as the prime minister of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, later serving as its de facto ruler. Brought into India as a slave, Ambar created a mercenary force and pioneered guerrilla warfare. He then went on to found the city of Khirki, which was later renamed as Aurangabad.
![Shah Nawaz Khan Shah Nawaz Khan](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/shah-nawaz-khan.jpg)
![Amit Panghal Amit Panghal](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/amit-panghal-115429-1.jpg)
The son of a Haryana farmer, Indian boxer Amit Panghal has won many medals for his country, including a gold at the Asian Games and a silver at the World Championship. He also has three Asian Championship medals in his kitty. He also qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
![Shaista Khan Shaista Khan](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/shaista-khan-1.jpg)
A maternal uncle of Aurangzeb, Shaista Khan was a major figure in Indian history. He not only served as the governor of Bengal but also reigned over Khandesh as its viceroy. He had 3 of his fingers sliced off in a fight with Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji at Lal Mahal.
![Bakht Khan Bakht Khan](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/bakht-khan-1.jpg)
Bakht Khan is best remembered for his service as the commander-in-chief of the 1857 Indian Rebellion against the British. Initially part of the East India Company army, he served the Bengal horse artillery and gained 40 years of military experience. He eventually died fighting at the age of around 61.
![Abu Taher Abu Taher](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/no-profile-img.jpg)
Bengali army man Abu Taher initially worked as an assistant teacher in Chittagong, before joining the Pakistan Army and then the Bangladesh Army. He won the gallantry award Bir Uttom for his contribution in the War of Liberation and later joined the left-leaning Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal.
![Premindra Singh Bhagat Premindra Singh Bhagat](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/premindra-singh-bhagat-117012-1.jpg)
Victoria Cross- and Param Vishisht Seva Medal-winning Indian Army general Premindra Singh Bhagat was known for his contributions in World War II and the Indo-Pakistan Wars of 1947, 1965, and 1971. Post-retirement, he joined DVC. He died of an allergic reaction to penicillin shortly after.
![Tikendrajit Singh Tikendrajit Singh](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/tikendrajit-singh-117643-1.jpg)
Tikendrajit Singh was an Indian revolutionary and military commander who played a major role in the events leading up to the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891. A Rajput prince, Tikendrajit Singh fought the British forces which had formed an alliance with Surachandra Singh, the king of Manipur who had been dethroned by Tikendrajit and his brother Kulachandra Singh.
![Raj Mohan Vohra Raj Mohan Vohra](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/raj-mohan-vohra-1.jpg)
Raj Mohan Vohra was an Indian military leader who served as a General Officer in the Army. He is remembered for his bravery in the Battle of Basantar, one of the most important battles fought during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Vohra played an important role in India's win in the battle and was honored with the Maha Vir Chakra.
![Syed Ahmed El Edroos Syed Ahmed El Edroos](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/syed-ahmed-el-edroos-1.jpg)
Syed Ahmed El Edroos, a close aide of the Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, participated in World Wars I and II as part of the 1st Hyderabad Lancers. He commanded the Hyderabad State Forces during India’s annexation of Hyderabad. His memoir, Hyderabad of the Seven Loaves, was of immense historical significance.
![Thalakkal Chanthu Thalakkal Chanthu](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/no-profile-img.jpg)
Thalakkal Chanthu was an Indian archer who served as the commander-in-chief of Pazhassi Raja's troop, which fought against the British forces in the early 1800s. Chanthu was recognized by Pazhassi Raja as his most skilled war leader. In 1802, Thalakkal Chanthu and Edachena Kunkan led a group of soldiers and seized the British fort at Panamaram.
![Chain Singh Chain Singh](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/chain-singh-105632-1.jpg)
![James Willcocks James Willcocks](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/james-willcocks-123729-1.jpg)
James Willcocks was a British Army officer who held high command during World War I. He spent most of his career in Africa and India and saw action in many battles, including the Second Anglo-Afghan War, Second Boer War, and First World War.
![Sukhdev Singh Sukha Sukhdev Singh Sukha](http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/thumbs/sukhdev-singh-sukha-117808-1.jpg)
Considered a martyr by some and a militant by others, Sukhdev Singh Sukha was a leading member of the Khalistan Commando Force, a group that aimed at creating a separate Sikh state. He was one of the assassins of Congress MP Lalit Maken and, later, of Indian Army chief Arun Vaidya.