Major Somnath Sharma

1. About the text

‘A Tale of Valour’ is a true biographical account — not a fictional story. It is a tribute to the valiant Major Somnath Sharma, India’s first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, whose name is “etched in the annals of history”. The chapter belongs to Unit 2, ‘Values and Dispositions’, and is meant to teach readers the values a soldier lives by — courage, duty, and self-sacrifice.

The lesson opens and closes with lines from patriotic songs (‘Mera desh hua re roshan…’ and ‘Vande Mataram…’) and salutes the braveheart with ‘Jai Hind’. It reminds us of the price paid for our freedom and tells how 90 men foiled the plan of around 500 infiltrators who wanted to capture Srinagar and the Kashmir Valley and deliver a blow to newly-independent India. His name is honoured at the National War Memorial on its Honour Wall.

2. Summary — Part 1: Background — Operation Gulmarg and the road to war

The trouble began in August 1947, when Pakistan launched Operation Gulmarg to annex (take possession of) the Kashmir Valley. This violated an existing agreement with Hari Singh, the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, under which Pakistan had committed not to attack the state. Instead, the Pakistani Army trained and equipped around 1,000 invaders who knew the mountain passes and local terrain, and sent them to seize strategic locations, including the Srinagar airport.

Their ultimate aim was to engineer a revolt in Kashmir, overthrow the government, and capture the territory, which would have given them control of vital passes, peaks and rivers. On 22 October Operation Gulmarg was launched and the infiltrators invaded Kashmir. This led the Princely State to join India on 26 October 1947. In response, the Government of India sent troops on 27 October 1947 to defend the people of Kashmir and India’s borders. Because the land route through Pathankot was in poor condition, the troops had to be airlifted into Srinagar.

3. Summary — Part 2: Major Somnath Sharma flies in, despite his injury

On 31 October, the D Company of the 4th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment, commanded by Major Somnath Sharma, was flown into Srinagar. At that time his left hand was in plaster, yet he insisted on being with his company in combat. He told his senior officers, “I know my men better than anyone else, and if they are going into action, they are not going in without me.” These words showed his deep commitment to his men and his country.

There had been unfounded rumours of tribal movement towards the village of Badgam, less than 5 kilometres from the Srinagar airport. The village stood on higher ground than the airfield, and access to the area lay through it — so it was vital for Indian forces to keep control of Badgam to protect the troops and let supplies arrive by air. In reality, the enemy had been slipping into Badgam in small groups to avoid detection.

4. Summary — Part 3: The Battle of Badgam begins (03 November 1947)

On 03 November 1947, several companies, including Major Sharma’s D Company, were sent to patrol and assess threats in and around Badgam. All day the valley was eerily silent. In the afternoon the companies were ordered to return one by one; D Company, with 90 soldiers, was the last, expected back by 2:00 p.m.

Seeing only this small group left behind, the enemy — tribal guerrilla invaders under the command of the Pakistani army — attacked. Major Somnath and his men met the first attack with stiff resistance, but Major Somnath correctly realised this attack was only a distraction. Soon a much bigger attack came from another side. Now 90 soldiers faced about 500 invaders.

5. Summary — Part 4: Air strikes and unmatched bravery

Major Sharma saw that holding Srinagar town, the airfield and the valley would be very hard until reinforcements arrived. He requested air strikes and bravely laid out ground panels to guide the aircraft to their target. The aerial attacks hit the tribal invaders, but the enemy still outnumbered D Company by almost seven to one, and the assault continued.

Vastly outnumbered and facing devastating fire, the men stood resolute. “The air was thick with the sound of gunfire and the cries of battle,” but Major Sharma’s voice cut through the chaos, urging his men to fight with tenacity and valour. Despite heavy casualties and his own injuries, he displayed unparalleled bravery — moving fearlessly through the battlefield, directing fire, filling magazines for his gunners, and encouraging his men to hold their ground.

6. Summary — Part 5: The last man, the last round

As the battle went on, D Company began running out of ammunition. When Major Sharma informed Brigade headquarters, he was asked to pull back. Aware of how grave the situation was, he replied with the words now etched in history: “The enemy is only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round.”

A few minutes later, while he was crouched in a trench beside a machine-gun operator, helping to load the gun, his position was hit by a mortar shell, killing him instantly. Even after losing their Major, his men were so inspired by his heroism that they held their position for over six more hours before being overrun.

7. Summary — Part 6: The sacrifice that saved Srinagar

That brave resistance bought precious time for reinforcements to arrive, including soldiers flown in from the Punjab Regiment. The heroic stand thoroughly demoralised the enemy, causing them more than 300 casualties, including injuring their leader. In effect, D Company’s sacrifice and Major Somnath’s leadership saved Srinagar for India, and the 4 KUMAON battalion was awarded the Battle Honour, Srinagar.

Major Somnath laid down his life at the young age of 24. For this act of conspicuous bravery he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) — the first recipient ever, awarded posthumously (after death) for gallantry and supreme sacrifice. In the quiet of the Kashmir Valley, his valour ensured the tricolour would keep flying over Srinagar, and his name is forever etched in the golden pages of India’s military history.

8. The early life of Major Somnath Sharma

Born on 31 January 1923 in the picturesque town of Dadh in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, Somnath Sharma came from a family with a rich military legacy. His father, Major General Amar Nath Sharma, had served the nation with distinction, and young Somnath was deeply inspired by the valorous tales of the Mahabharata told to him by his grandfather.

He had his early education at Sherwood College, Nainital, and his rigorous training at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was commissioned into the 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment in 1942, and served with distinction in World War II in the Arakan Campaign in Burma, even earning mentions in despatches for his bravery. But it was in the Indo–Pakistan War of 1947–1948, especially the Battle of Badgam, that his legacy was truly forged. His life was a testament to discipline and dedication, and his name is etched on the Honour Wall of the National War Memorial.

9. Theme & message

• Courage and valour: Even with his hand in plaster, vastly outnumbered, and short of ammunition, Major Sharma refused to retreat — the very meaning of bravery in the face of certain death.
• Duty and leadership: “If they are going into action, they are not going in without me.” A true leader stands with his men, leads from the front and inspires others to hold on long after he is gone.
• Supreme sacrifice: He laid down his life at just 24 so that Srinagar and the Kashmir Valley would remain part of India — a reminder of the price of freedom.
• Patriotism & love for the motherland: The lesson, framed by patriotic songs and ‘Jai Hind’, salutes countless men and women who defend the nation.
• Inspiration across generations: His story remains a “beacon” that continues to inspire both soldiers and ordinary citizens.

10. Character of Major Somnath Sharma

Brave and fearless — He displayed “unparalleled bravery”, moving through the battlefield under devastating fire, directing his men and filling magazines for his gunners.

Devoted to his men (a born leader) — With his left hand in plaster, he still insisted on joining his company, saying he knew his men better than anyone and would not let them fight without him. His example made his soldiers hold the position for six hours after his death.

Dutiful and determined — Ordered to pull back, he chose to fight “to the last man and the last round” rather than abandon his post; he placed the nation’s safety above his own life.

Disciplined and well-trained — Shaped by Sherwood College and Sandhurst, with service in World War II, he combined cool judgement (sensing the first attack was a distraction, calling for air strikes) with raw courage.

Patriotic and selfless — Inspired since childhood by the Mahabharata and a family military legacy, he embodied the highest ideals of duty, honour and patriotism and made the ultimate sacrifice at the age of 24.

11. Word meanings

• Valour — great courage, especially in battle.
• Etched — permanently fixed in someone’s memory.
• Beacon — a source of inspiration or guidance.
• Infiltrators — people who secretly invade or enter a place.
• Annex — to take possession of (a territory).
• Combat — a battle or fight.
• Unfounded — not based on reason or facts.
• Eerily — in a strange, frightening and mysterious way.
• Outnumbered — fewer in number than the other side.
• Resolute — firmly determined.
• Tenacity — determination; not giving up.
• Unparalleled — unmatched; having no equal.
• Magazines — (here) containers that hold cartridges to be fed into a gun.
• Ammunition — a supply of bullets, shells and explosives.
• Crouched — sat with knees bent, close to the ground.
• Conspicuous — noticeable; clearly visible.
• Posthumously — happening after a person’s death.
• Legacy — values, beliefs and traditions passed down through generations.
• Testament — strong evidence or proof of something.
• Poignant — emotional and sad.