It was on December 10 in 1932 that the Indian Military Academy (IMA) was formally inaugurated by Sir Philip Chetwode, Commander -in-Chief.
The academy had, however, begun functioning on October 1, 1932. The inauguration had to be delayed by more than two months. The first cadets arrived on September 30 and IMA opened on October 1. The academy became functional with a course strength of 40 Gentlemen Cadets. The first course had on its rolls Sam Manekshaw, Smith Dun and Mohd Musa. All of them later became the chiefs of the armies of their respective countries; namely India, Burma and Pakistan. The course was christened 'PIONEERS'.
Sir Philip Chetwode said in his speech at the inauguration, “I wish I could have welcomed the Gentlemen Cadets of the new Indian Military Academy on the day they first made their appearance here, for it was a memorable day in the History of Indian Army. I could not do so because it was pointed out to me that they had not yet received their uniform, nor were they sufficiently drilled to make an inspection on parade possible. At the request of the commandant, I, therefore, postponed my visit until today, when he said that he would be ready to receive me.”
Brigadier lP Collins had been appointed as the first Commandant of the academy in January 1932. The holding of examinations, nomination of cadets and other preparatory activities had begun figuring in news reports.
The Pioneer, dated July 30, 1931, under the caption “Notes from Dehra Dun” wrote, “His excellency the Commander-in-Chief was here for a few days last week, from July 14 to 17. He was probably here in connection with the Indian Military Academy, which has only a couple of months ahead of it now before opening.”
The founding of this prestigious academy in 1932 was a culmination of a long drawn battle fought in the Central legislative Assembly and the Round Table Conference by stalwarts like Sir Sivaswamy Aiyar, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Pandit Motilal Nehru and lala lajpat Rai.
After the Commandant's speech delivered in the Chetwode Hall on December 10,1932 came the historic inaugural speech of Sir Philip Chetwode, the concluding words of which have echoed in the hearts and minds of young GCs and officers of the Indian army over the generations.
These words, inscribed in letters of gold in the Chetwode Hall, are the credo of the academy. The words are, “The safety, honour and welfare of your country comes first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next. Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and everytime”. These words form the quintessence of the values of the noble profession of arms. Chetwode’s speech was widely reported in newspapers. Greetings poured in from many quarters and messages of congratulations were received by the IMA on December 10, indeed a red-letter day for the great institution.
Before the inaugural ceremony was held the Ceremonial Parade at 9.45 am, the GCs marched into the parade ground. Ten minutes after this arrived Brig Collins who was received by GC Smith Dun. At the stroke of 10 arrived the Commander-in-Chief.
The inaugural ceremony in Chetwode Hall was followed by a display of physical exercises by the cadets. later, Chetwode attended a hockey match between the IMA and the RIMC. The day concluded with an “At Home” in Chetwode Hall with the Commandant as chief host.
The history of the IMA from 1932 to 1947 is common to India and Pakistan.
The crucial link between the founding of a military academy and the attainment of Independence was acutely realised by a section of Indian leadership in the days of struggle for Independence.
Their concerted efforts resulted in the initiation of the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms which enabled ten Indians to be sent to Sandhurst for training, setting up of the Skeen Committee in 1925, and later holding of Round Table Conference in london in 1930 which recommended the establishment of the Indian Sandhurst without any delay.
As a follow-up action, the Government of India set up a committee to work out the details under the Chairmanship of Field Marshal Sir Philip Chetwode, who was then Commander-in-Chief, India.
The committee submitted its report in July 1931 recommending an establishment for training forty entrants in each term. The Government acquired the estate of the erstwhile Railway Staff College at Dehra Dun, which had the appropriate buildings and a fairly extensive campus to meet the requirements of the Academy. The campus was taken over for the academy in April, 1932.