A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam

Historical setting and significance

The lesson describes the 1947 conflict in Jammu and Kashmir, the strategic importance of Srinagar airport and the Battle of Badgam on 3 November 1947. According to the textbook account, Pakistani-backed infiltrators sought to advance towards Srinagar. Keeping the airfield accessible allowed Indian troops and supplies to arrive by air. This is a historically situated narrative, not a justification for hostility towards present-day communities.

Early life of Major Somnath Sharma

Born on 31 January 1923 in Dadh, Kangra, Major Somnath Sharma came from a military family. His father was Major General Amar Nath Sharma. His grandfather's accounts of the Mahabharata also influenced his understanding of duty and bravery. He studied at Sherwood College, Nainital, trained at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and was commissioned into the 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment in 1942.

Service before Badgam

Sharma served during World War II in the Arakan Campaign in Burma and received mentions in despatches. By 1947 he commanded D Company of the 4th Kumaon Battalion. Although his left hand was in plaster, he insisted on accompanying his men when the company was flown into Srinagar on 31 October 1947.

Why Badgam mattered

Badgam was near Srinagar airport and lay on an approach to the airfield. Enemy groups had entered the area in small numbers to avoid detection. On 3 November, several companies patrolled the area; Sharma's D Company remained after other companies were ordered back. Holding the position could delay an advance towards Srinagar and permit reinforcements to arrive.

The battle and Sharma's leadership

The textbook describes about 90 soldiers in D Company facing approximately 500 attackers. Sharma recognised that an initial attack was a diversion and that a stronger assault followed from another direction. He requested air support and placed ground panels to guide aircraft. During intense fire he directed his soldiers, helped fill ammunition magazines and encouraged them to maintain their positions.

The final message and sacrifice

As ammunition ran low, Sharma reported the danger and was instructed to withdraw. He refused, emphasising that the enemy was close and that his company would resist. Shortly afterwards, a mortar shell struck his position while he was helping a machine-gun operator, killing him. His soldiers continued resisting for more than six hours according to the textbook narrative, giving reinforcements valuable time.

Recognition and legacy

Major Sharma died at 24 and became the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, awarded posthumously. The 4 Kumaon battalion received the Battle Honour Srinagar. His name is commemorated at the National War Memorial. The lesson emphasises leadership, responsibility, courage and sacrifice, while the loss of life also reminds readers of war's human cost.

Literary and language features

The piece is a biographical historical tribute. It uses chronology, descriptive imagery, emotionally charged words and direct speech. The repeated idea of his memory remaining alive stresses lasting remembrance. Words such as resolute, tenacity, valour, outnumbered and posthumously convey the danger and significance of the events.

Vocabulary and definitions

Valour means courage; tenacity means persistence; resolute means firmly determined; outnumbered means facing a greater number; infiltrator means someone entering secretly; unfounded means unsupported by facts; eerily means in an unsettling way; contingent means a group assigned to a task; ammunition means cartridges and other munitions; posthumously means after death; conspicuous means clearly noticeable; despatches are official military reports; picturesque means visually attractive; legacy means what a person leaves for later generations.

Chronological timeline

Before reading — model classroom responses

What is special about the Republic Day Parade?

Held on 26 January, it commemorates the coming into effect of India's Constitution and presents cultural diversity, public service, ceremonial displays and military traditions.

What are its highlights?

Marching contingents, bands, tableaux, cultural performances and ceremonial displays are familiar features; the programme varies from year to year.

Which gallantry awards may be presented?

Recipients of recognised gallantry awards may be honoured in Republic Day-related ceremonies. The Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra recognise wartime gallantry; other awards have distinct criteria. Do not assume all awards are handed out during the parade itself.

What qualities should soldiers have?

Discipline, courage, good judgement, teamwork, integrity, respect for civilians and care for colleagues.

Write a message to a soldier

Thank you for your service and dedication. I hope you and your colleagues remain safe, supported and respected.

Let us discuss — complete chronology

Correct order by the textbook's printed item numbers: 1 → 4 → 6 → 3 → 5 → 7 → 2 → 8. This follows birth, training, commissioning, deployment, air-support request, death, the company's continued resistance and the posthumous award.

Let us think and reflect — eight extract questions

Let us think and reflect — six long answers

Let us learn — vocabulary and grammar solutions

I. Match four expressions and complete the blanks

Fill in order A–D: foil the plan; deliver a blow; hold their ground; fight to the last man.

II. Match military collective nouns

Fill in A–D: regiment; fleet; battalion; squadron.

III. Meanings of three over- verbs

1. overthrow — remove from power or seize control; 2. overrun — occupy or invade in large numbers; 3. overwhelm — overpower emotionally or by sheer force. Original examples of five more: The workers overcame the problem. Do not overcook the rice. We overlooked a spelling mistake. The river overflowed its banks. I overslept on Sunday.

IV. Noun and verb word pairs

1. advice / advise; 2. practice / practise; 3. device / devise; 4. council / counsel. In the textbook's British-English pattern, advice and practice are nouns, advise and practise are verbs. Council is a governing body; counsel means advise. Defence is British spelling, while defense is American spelling.

V. Subject–verb agreement — ten answers

VI. Correct the verb passage

A battalion of soldiers stands at attention as the National flag is raised. Each soldier salutes with pride while the commander and his assistants inspect the parade. The sound of marching feet echoes through the air as a group of cadets prepares for their drill. Meanwhile, a convoy of military vehicles passes by, drawing cheers from the gathered crowd.

Note: collective nouns may sometimes take plural agreement in varieties of British English when the members are emphasised. The answer above follows the singular collective-noun pattern taught in this exercise.

Let us listen — five verified answers

These are based on the textbook's listening transcript on printed page 98. The transcript presents the award's retrospective 1947 effect alongside its institutional history; students should distinguish that wording from a claim that Dr. Rajendra Prasad was President of India in 1947.

Let us speak — original model group speech

I believe serving our country begins with responsible everyday actions. We can keep our neighbourhood clean, save water and electricity, help people in need and treat everyone with dignity. A small change, such as reducing plastic waste in our school, can protect the environment when many students participate. We should also learn first aid from trained adults and report unsafe situations. Working together and respecting others are forms of public service. Each of us can contribute through honesty, care and consistent effort.

Let us write — formal enquiry letter model

From: The Student Coordinator, Example School, [City]. Date: [Insert date]. To: The Officer-in-Charge, [Name of Memorial], [Address]. Subject: Enquiry regarding a school educational visit.

Dear Sir/Madam, Our school is planning an educational visit for Class 8 students to your memorial. We would be grateful for information about available visiting dates and time slots, the recommended duration of a guided tour, applicable entry fees and booking procedures.

Please also share the rules for student groups, teacher-to-student supervision requirements, accessibility facilities, photography restrictions and any documents required for permission. An early reply will help us organise a safe and meaningful visit.

Yours sincerely, [Name], Student Coordinator, Example School. This is a model only; replace placeholders and verify arrangements with the memorial before visiting.

Let us explore — five guided activities

I. Captain Vikram Batra

The textbook profiles Captain Vikram Batra, a posthumous Param Vir Chakra recipient remembered for his leadership during the 1999 Kargil conflict, including operations associated with Points 5140 and 4875. Prepare a short comparison of leadership and sacrifice while keeping the two conflicts and dates separate.

II. Gallantry awards

Compare Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra, which recognise wartime gallantry at different levels. Use official award descriptions and distinguish them from peacetime gallantry honours.

III. Women in the Indian Armed Forces

Research verified roles of women in the Army, including officers in several branches, medical services and other authorised appointments. Recruitment rules and opportunities can change; check current official service notifications before claiming a role is universally open.

IV. Birsa Munda

The textbook introduces Birsa Munda as an Adivasi leader who resisted colonial rule and is remembered as Dharti Aaba. Study the context of tribal rights, land and self-governance, using reliable historical sources rather than inventing a speech.

V. Regional patriotic songs

Prepare a list of songs actually known or researched, recording title, language and credited creator where available. Explain why each is meaningful without copying lengthy copyrighted lyrics.

20 original practice questions — explanations and answers

Revision MCQs, HOTS and common mistakes

MCQ 1: Battle date — 3 November 1947. MCQ 2: Battalion — 4 Kumaon. MCQ 3: Award — Param Vir Chakra. MCQ 4: Word meaning firmly determined — resolute. MCQ 5: Correct grammar — A battalion stands. MCQ 6: Correct pair — advice (noun), advise (verb).

HOTS: Why is protecting an airport important in a remote conflict area? It enables rapid transport of personnel and essential supplies when roads are difficult. Why does a leader's example matter? Clear decisions and concern for colleagues can support morale under pressure.

Exam traps: Do not confuse 1947 Badgam with the 1999 Kargil conflict. Do not say Sharma received the award during his lifetime. Do not present approximate troop numbers as independently audited totals. Do not imply every citizen's duty involves combat. Do not confuse the retrospective effect of the Param Vir Chakra with the date of India's first President's tenure.

Textbook and source note

This original guide follows NCERT Poorvi Unit 2, A Tale of Valour, printed pages 49–69, with listening transcript on page 98, Reprint 2026–27. Open-ended group activities require student participation. Original textbook images and audio are not embedded.

Official NCERT Poorvi Unit 2 PDF