Who was the first officer of the Indian Army to be promoted to the five star rank of Field Marshal, the highest honorary rank in the army?

Introduction / Context:
Military history questions often focus on ranks, honours, and key personalities. The rank of Field Marshal is the highest honorary rank in the Indian Army and has been conferred on only a very small number of officers. This question asks about the first Indian officer to receive this five star rank, which is an important fact for both general knowledge and defence related exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on the Indian Army.
• The rank mentioned is Field Marshal, a five star ceremonial rank.
• The question asks for the first Indian officer to be promoted to this rank.
• The options are names of senior army officers.

Concept / Approach:
The correct approach is to recall the sequence of honours conferred on top army leaders. Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, often known as Sam Manekshaw, who led India during the 1971 war, was the first to be made Field Marshal. K. M. Cariappa, another distinguished leader, was also later given the rank of Field Marshal, but he was not the first. The other names in the list held high ranks but did not receive this particular title in that order.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Remember the association of Field Marshal rank with historic military leadership.Step 2: Connect the 1971 Indo Pakistan war victory with General Sam Manekshaw.Step 3: Recall that he was later conferred the honorary rank of Field Marshal, becoming the first Indian officer to hold that rank.Step 4: Recognise that K. M. Cariappa also became a Field Marshal, but after Manekshaw.Step 5: Select S. H. F. J. Manekshaw as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard defence studies materials and biographies consistently state that Sam Manekshaw was the first Indian Field Marshal. This fact is widely used in quiz questions and multiple choice tests on Indian military history. Cross checking dates of conferment for Manekshaw and Cariappa further confirms the order.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: A. S. Vaidya served as Chief of Army Staff but was not promoted to Field Marshal.Option B: K. M. Cariappa did become Field Marshal but he was the second, not the first.Option C: General Sunderji was a senior officer but did not hold the rank of Field Marshal.Option E: Bipin Rawat was the first Chief of Defence Staff but was not a Field Marshal.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to assume that the earliest Commander in Chief or the first Indian chief automatically became the first Field Marshal. Another pitfall is mixing up different honorary titles across services. To avoid confusion, learn both the rank, the person, and the historical context, such as wars or major reforms associated with them.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is S. H. F. J. Manekshaw.