Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri facts for kids

Quick facts for kids General J N Chaudhuri OBE
9th High Commissioner of India to Canada
In office July 1966 – August 1969
Preceded by	B. K. Acharya
Succeeded by	A.B. Bhadkamkar
11th Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee
In office 3 March 1966 – 7 June 1966
President	Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Prime Minister	Indira Gandhi
Preceded by	Bhaskar Sadashiv Soman
Succeeded by	Arjan Singh
5th Chief of the Army Staff
In office 20 November 1962 – 7 June 1966
President	Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Prime Minister	Jawaharlal Nehru Gulzarilal Nanda (acting) Lal Bahadur Shastri Indira Gandhi
Preceded by	Pran Nath Thapar
Succeeded by	P. P. Kumaramangalam
Military Governor of Hyderabad State
In office 17 September 1948 – 25 January 1950
Preceded by	Office Established
Succeeded by	Mir Osman Ali Khan as Rajapramukh
Personal details
Born	(1908-06-10)10 June 1908 Chatmohar, Eastern Bengal and Assam, British India
Died	6 April 1983(1983-04-06) (aged 74) New Delhi, India
Alma mater	University of Calcutta Highgate School, London
Military career
Nickname(s)	Muchhu
Allegiance	British India (1928–1947)  India (1947–1983)
Service/branch	British Indian Army (1928–1947)  Indian Army (1947–1966)
Years of service	1928–1966
Rank	General
Service number	IA-130
Unit	7th Light Cavalry 16 Light Cavalry
Commands held	Southern Army 1st Armoured Division 16 Light Cavalry
Battles/wars	Second World War East African Campaign Western Desert Campaign Burma Campaign 1944–45 Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 Operation Polo Sino-Indian War of 1962 Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 Annexation of Goa
Awards	Padma Vibhushan Officer of the Order of the British Empire Order Of Merit (Arab Union)

General Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri (June 10, 1908 – April 6, 1983) was a very important leader in the Indian Army. He served as the 5th Chief of Army Staff from 1962 to 1966. He was also the Military Governor of Hyderabad State from 1948 to 1949. After leaving the army, he became India's High Commissioner to Canada from 1966 to 1969.

Early Life and Family Connections

Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri was born into a well-known family in Bengal, British India. His family had many lawyers and writers. His grandfather, Durgadas Chaudhuri, was a landlord.

Interestingly, his grandmother, Sukumari Devi, was the sister of the famous Nobel Prize winner, Rabindranath Tagore. This means Rabindranath Tagore was his great-uncle! His mother, Pramila Chaudhuri, was the daughter of Womesh Chandra Bannerjee. Womesh Chandra Bannerjee was the first president of the Indian National Congress.

Many other family members were also successful. They worked in law, medicine, and writing. For example, his aunt, Devika Rani, was a famous Indian actress.

Education and Nickname

Chaudhuri started his schooling in Calcutta. He later studied at St. Xavier's College in India. He also went to Highgate School in London.

He then joined the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, a famous military school. It was here that he got his nickname, "Muchhu." This name means "moustache" because he had one! Ayub Khan, who later became President of Pakistan, was one of his classmates at Sandhurst.

Military Career Highlights

Starting His Army Journey

Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri officially joined the Indian Army as a second lieutenant in 1928. He first served with the 1st battalion North Staffordshire Regiment. Then, in 1929, he joined the 7th Light Cavalry.

He took special courses to improve his skills. These included an equitation (horse riding) course and a staff course.

World War II Service

In 1940, he went overseas as a major. He served in the Second World War in places like Sudan, Eritrea, Abyssinia, and the deserts of Africa. He was recognized for his brave service.

He received the OBE award in 1943 for his excellent work in the Middle East. Later, he commanded the 16th Light Cavalry in Burma from 1944 to 1945. He was again praised for his distinguished service there. After the Burma campaign, he also served in French Indochina and Java, Indonesia.

After India's Independence

After India became independent in 1947, Chaudhuri continued his important work. He helped with the military evacuation from Pakistan. He also helped organize India's efforts during the Kashmir war in 1948.

Major General Chaudhuri addressing crowd at Fateh Maidan after integration of Hyderabad in 1948 with Jawaharlal Nehru sitting on the parapet

In May 1948, he took command of the 1st Armoured Division. This division played a big part in Operation Polo in 1948. This operation helped integrate Hyderabad State into India. After this, he became the Military Governor of Hyderabad State.

Major General Syed Ahmed El Edroos (left) offers his surrender of the Hyderabad State Forces to Major General (later General and Army Chief) J. N. Chaudhuri at Secunderabad

(From left to right): Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Nizam VII and Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri after Hyderabad's accession to India

He held many other important army positions. He also led an Indian military group to China. By 1959, he was in charge of the Southern Command.

Leading the Indian Army

In 1962, after the Sino-Indian War, the Chief of Army Staff resigned. Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri took over as the acting Chief of Army Staff on November 20, 1962. He was officially appointed to the role in February 1963.

He was the Chief of Army Staff during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. This war is generally seen as a victory for India. He also helped create the Border Security Force. This force helps patrol India's borders during peacetime.

For his great service to the nation, he received the Padma Vibhushan. This is India's second-highest civilian honor. He retired from the army on June 7, 1966, after 38 years of service.

Diplomatic Role

After retiring from the army, Chaudhuri took on a new role. He was appointed as India's High Commissioner to Canada. He served in this important diplomatic position for three years, from 1966 to 1969.

Later Years and Lasting Impact

Chaudhuri wrote two books about military topics. He also reviewed books for a major Indian newspaper. He was the first Indian army chief to write his own life story, which he did in 1979.

He loved Western music. He even founded the Delhi Symphony Society, which promotes Western music. He was married to Karuna Chattopadhyay and they had two sons.

Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri passed away on April 6, 1983, in New Delhi. He was given a full military funeral. To honor him, the Border Security Force (BSF) gives an award each year. It's called the "GEN. J. N. Chaudhuri trophy" and is given to the best infantry battalion.

Awards and Decorations

Dates of Rank

Insignia	Rank	Component	Date of rank
	Second Lieutenant	British Indian Army	2 February 1928
	Lieutenant	British Indian Army	2 May 1930
	Captain	British Indian Army	2 February 1937
	Major	British Indian Army	1940 (acting) 22 September 1941 (temporary) 8 February 1943 (war-substantive) 2 February 1945 (substantive)
	Lieutenant-Colonel	British Indian Army	22 September 1941 (acting) 8 February 1943 (temporary) 21 January 1946 (war-substantive)
	Colonel	British Indian Army	21 January 1946 (acting)
	Major	Indian Army	15 August 1947
	Major-General	Indian Army	February 1948 (acting)
	Brigadier	Indian Army	21 January 1946 (acting) 1 January 1950 (substantive)
	Brigadier	Indian Army	26 January 1950 (recommissioning and change in insignia)
	Major General	Indian Army	January 1952 (substantive)
	Lieutenant General	Indian Army	16 December 1955 (local) 8 May 1957 (substantive)
	General (COAS)	Indian Army	20 November 1962 (acting) 20 July 1963 (substantive)

See also

• Indian Army