A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam — Class 8 English (Poorvi)
"The enemy are only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to our last man and our last round." — Major Somnath Sharma's last message
1. About the Chapter
This is the opening chapter of Unit 2: Values and Dispositions in the new Poorvi textbook. It tells the inspiring true story of Major Somnath Sharma — India's FIRST recipient of the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), the country's highest military gallantry award.
Why This Chapter
- Celebrates COURAGE and SACRIFICE
- Honours India's armed forces
- True history, not fiction
- Inspires students to value freedom
2. About Major Somnath Sharma (1923-1947)
Quick Facts
- Born: 31 January 1923, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
- Died: 3 November 1947, Badgam, Kashmir (age 24)
- Rank: Major
- Regiment: 4 Kumaon Regiment
- Award: First Param Vir Chakra (posthumous, 1947)
Family Background
- Father: Major General Amar Nath Sharma (Indian Army)
- Brother: Lt Gen Surinder Nath Sharma
- Brother: Vishwa Nath Sharma — later Chief of Army Staff (1988-90)
- Sister: Major Kamla Tewari, Army Medical Corps
- A family of soldiers — service in their blood
Education and Career
- St. George's College, Mussoorie
- Prince of Wales Royal Military College, Dehradun
- Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst (UK)
- Commissioned in Indian Army (1942)
- Served with distinction in World War II (Arakan campaign, Burma)
3. The Battle of Badgam (3 November 1947)
Background
- October 1947: Pakistan-sponsored tribal raiders invaded Jammu and Kashmir
- Maharaja Hari Singh signed Instrument of Accession to India
- Indian Army rushed to defend Kashmir
- Srinagar airfield was crucial — losing it would mean losing Kashmir
The Mission
- Major Somnath Sharma's company (D Company, 4 Kumaon) was sent to patrol BADGAM village near Srinagar airfield
- Strength: 90-100 soldiers
- Mission: detect raider movements, hold position
What Happened
- 3 November 1947, early morning
- Sharma had a broken arm in plaster (from a hockey injury, but he refused to be sidelined)
- 700+ enemy raiders attacked Sharma's company
- 7:1 numerical superiority for enemy
- Heavy mortar and small-arms fire on Indian positions
Sharma's Bravery
- Despite injured arm, he personally directed his men
- He even loaded magazines for his Bren gunners with his good hand
- Sent crucial radio message: 'The enemy are only 50 yards from us... I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to our last man and our last round.'
- A mortar shell exploded near him
- He was killed instantly while operating a gun
The Outcome
- Sharma's company held Badgam for FOUR critical hours
- His sacrifice DELAYED the enemy advance
- Reinforcements arrived in time to save Srinagar airfield
- Kashmir was SAVED — but at the cost of Sharma's life
- If Srinagar had fallen, Kashmir would likely have been lost forever
4. The Param Vir Chakra
What it is
- India's HIGHEST gallantry award for bravery in the face of the enemy
- Equivalent of UK's Victoria Cross or USA's Medal of Honor
- Established 26 January 1950 (with retroactive effect from 15 August 1947)
Major Sharma — First Awardee
- Posthumously awarded Param Vir Chakra (1950, dated 3 November 1947)
- His sister Kamla received it from then-President Rajendra Prasad
Total PVC Recipients (as of 2026)
- Only 21 awarded since 1947
- Many posthumously
- Each story is one of extraordinary courage
5. Values from This Chapter
COURAGE
Sharma showed courage against impossible odds — 700 enemies vs 100 soldiers. Yet he didn't waver.
DUTY
He could have asked to be relieved (broken arm), but stayed with his men.
LEADERSHIP
He inspired his soldiers in their hardest hour. His last message captures it.
SACRIFICE
He gave his life so others could live, and so India's territory could be defended.
PATRIOTISM
He believed defending India was worth dying for.
FAMILY HERITAGE
His family had served India for generations. He carried the tradition forward.
6. Important Lines
"The enemy are only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to our last man and our last round."
"I am not going to withdraw. We will continue to hold our ground."
7. Why Major Sharma's Story Matters Today
Reminder of Sacrifice
The freedom and territorial integrity we enjoy were paid for in blood. Sharma was one of many.
Inspiration for Service
Many young Indians serve in armed forces inspired by stories like his.
Kashmir Issue
Kashmir's defense in 1947 still matters today — Indian Army continues to defend it.
National Pride
Param Vir Chakra recipients are India's greatest heroes.
Family Service
Five members of Sharma family served in armed forces. India's military tradition continues.
8. The Tradition of Indian Military Valour
Other Famous PVC Recipients
- Major Shaitan Singh (1962, Sino-Indian War)
- Lt Col A.B. Tarapore (1965, Indo-Pak War)
- Captain Vikram Batra (1999, Kargil War — 'Sher Shah')
- Lt Manoj Pandey (1999, Kargil)
- Captain Saurabh Kalia (1999, Kargil)
Indian Armed Forces
- Indian Army: world's 2nd largest active military
- Indian Navy: increasing influence in Indo-Pacific
- Indian Air Force: modern fleet of fighters
- Indian Coast Guard
Republic Day Parade (26 January)
- Annually honours armed forces
- Showcases India's military strength
- PM and President salute the forces
9. Activities Suggested
Activity 1: Reading Aloud
Read Major Sharma's last message aloud. Discuss what made his courage extraordinary.
Activity 2: Research
Find one more PVC recipient story. Write 200 words.
Activity 3: Visit (if possible)
Visit a war memorial, military museum, or talk to a serving/retired soldier.
Activity 4: Writing
"What does the word 'valour' mean to me?" — write a personal essay.
Activity 5: Discussion
"What can students do to honour those who served India?"
10. Important Vocabulary
- VALOUR: great courage in battle
- GALLANTRY: brave behaviour
- PARAM VIR CHAKRA: India's highest military honour
- POSTHUMOUS: awarded after death
- REGIMENT: military unit
- MORTAR: type of indirect-fire weapon
- RAIDERS: armed attackers
- WITHDRAW: retreat
- SACRIFICE: giving up something valuable (here, life)
- HEROISM: heroic actions
11. Worked Examples
Example 1: Why was Sharma's mission critical?
- Srinagar airfield was the ONLY way to bring Indian reinforcements to Kashmir
- If raiders captured it, Kashmir would have fallen
- Sharma's company DELAYED the enemy for 4 hours
- This bought time for reinforcements
- Kashmir was saved
Example 2: What was Sharma's injury?
- He had a broken arm in plaster (from a hockey injury)
- He refused to be sidelined
- Even with a plastered arm, he led his men
- Loaded Bren gun magazines using his good hand
- Showed dedication far beyond duty
Example 3: Sharma family military service
- Father: Major General Amar Nath Sharma
- Somnath: Major (PVC)
- Brother Vishwa Nath: Chief of Army Staff (1988-90)
- Brother Surinder: Lt General
- Sister Kamla: Major (Medical Corps)
- A family who gave Indian Army TWO generations of leadership
12. Conclusion
The story of Major Somnath Sharma is a tale that should be told and retold to every Indian student. At just 24 years old, with a broken arm and his men outnumbered 7:1, he chose to fight to the last bullet rather than retreat. He paid with his life — but saved Kashmir.
Unit 2 of Poorvi opens with this story because VALUES like courage, duty, sacrifice, and patriotism are not abstract concepts — they are lived by real people. Major Sharma's family had served India for generations; he continued the tradition.
As Class 8 students in 2026, you live in a country whose freedom and territory have been defended by countless soldiers like Sharma. The Param Vir Chakra recipients (only 21 since 1947) are India's greatest heroes — and yet, most Indians don't know their stories well.
This chapter exists to ensure YOU know. To honour Major Somnath Sharma. To remember the cost of freedom. To value the country you call home.
Jai Hind.
