Mahendra Nath Mulla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
M N Mulla
MVC
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Mulla on a 2000 stamp of India
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| Born | 15 May 1926 Gorakhpur, United Provinces, British India (Present-day Uttar Pradesh, India) |
| Died | 9 December 1971 (aged 45) Arabian Sea, near Diu, Gujarat, India |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Service/ |
 Indian Navy |
| Years of service | 1948–1971 |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Commands held | INS Khukri |
| Battles/wars | Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 |
| Awards | Maha Vir Chakra (posthumous) |
Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla was a very brave officer in the Indian Navy. He was born on May 15, 1926, and passed away on December 9, 1971. He is remembered for his amazing courage during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. As the leader of the ship INS Khukri, he chose to stay with his ship when it was sinking. For his bravery, he was given the Maha Vir Chakra, which is India's second-highest award for courage in battle.
Contents
Mahendra Nath Mulla was born on May 15, 1926, in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. His family was well-known in the city of Allahabad.
In January 1946, he joined the Royal Indian Navy as a cadet. He then went to the United Kingdom for his training to become a naval officer.
Military Career
Mulla officially became an officer in the Royal Indian Navy on May 1, 1948. Over the years, he was promoted to higher ranks. He became a Lieutenant Commander in 1958 and a Commander in 1964.
He served on several different ships, including the INS Gomati (D93) and the HMIS Madras (J237). He also worked as an executive officer on the HMIS Kistna (U46). Later, he commanded the ship INS Rana (D115).
From 1965 to 1967, he worked as the Deputy Naval Adviser. This role meant he helped represent India's Navy in the United Kingdom.
Bravery in the 1971 War
During the 1971 war, Captain Mulla was in charge of a group of ships called the 14th anti-submarine squadron. This group was part of India's Western Fleet. Their job was to find and destroy enemy submarines in the northern Arabian Sea.
His squadron included the ships INS Khukri (F149), INS Kirpan (F144), and INS Kuthar (F146).
The Sinking of INS Khukri
On the night of December 9, 1971, at about 8:50 PM, Captain Mulla's ship, INS Khukri (F149), was hit. An enemy submarine, PNS Hangor, fired torpedoes at it. The attack happened about 64 kilometres (40 mi) off the coast of Diu.
Captain Mulla quickly realized his ship was sinking. He gave orders for everyone to leave the ship. Even though the ship was going down, he stayed calm and made sure his crew was safe. He even gave his own life-saving gear to a sailor who needed it.
Captain Mulla chose to go down with his ship. This is a very old and brave tradition in navies around the world. He was last seen going back to the bridge, which is the control room of the ship. He wanted to see if he could help more of his men escape. His actions showed incredible courage and dedication.
Maha Vir Chakra Award
Because of his outstanding bravery, Captain Mulla was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. This is a very high honor given for acts of exceptional courage during wartime. He received the award after his death.
The award citation praised his calm leadership and his choice to put his crew's safety before his own. It stated that his actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of naval service.
Legacy and Memorials
Captain Mulla was known as one of the best seamen in the Navy. He was also a very smart officer.
To honor him, India Post released a special postage stamp on January 28, 2000. The then Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was there for the release.
There is a special memorial in Diu that honors Captain Mulla and the other sailors who died with him. It features a full-size model of the INS Khukri (F149). This model is inside a glass house on a hill overlooking the sea.
Other places have also been named after him:
- The Captain M. N. Mulla Auditorium in Navy Nagar, Colaba, Mumbai.
- A hall at the Selection Centre South (SCS) in Bangalore.
- An auditorium at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington.
Images for kids
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Mulla on a 2000 stamp of India
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Bust of Mulla in Mumbai
