Where did Major Somnath Sharma receive his military training?

Royal Military College, Sandhurst

What were Major Somnath’s last words?

I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round

Where is Major Somnath Sharma’s name engraved today?

National War Memorial Honour Wall

NCERT Solutions Class 8 English - Poorvi Chapter 2.1 – A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam

Name: A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam – Class 8 English - Poorvi
Uploaded: 2026-05-31
Description: Major Somnath Sharma, India’s first Param Vir Chakra awardee, displayed extraordinary bravery in the 1947 Battle of Badgam, defending Srinagar airport against overwhelming odds and sacrificing his life for the nation. His courage and patriotism remain an enduring inspiration.

Class 8 English - Poorvi

Last Updated: 31 May 2026

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Chapter Introduction

Major Somnath Sharma, India’s first Param Vir Chakra awardee, displayed extraordinary bravery in the 1947 Battle of Badgam, defending Srinagar airport against overwhelming odds and sacrificing his life for the nation. His courage and patriotism remain an enduring inspiration.

हिंदी में (Hindi)

भारत के पहले परम वीर चक्र सम्मानित मेजर सुमनाथ शर्मा ने 1947 की बैडगाम लड़ाई में श्रीनगर हवाई अड्डे की रक्षा करते हुए अद्वितीय साहस दिखाया और देश के लिए अपना जीवन न्योछावर किया। उनका साहस और देशभक्ति आज भी प्रेरणा स्रोत है।

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Important Points

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Practice MCQ Questions (30 questions)

Q1. Who was India’s first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra?

Q2. In which year was Major Somnath Sharma born?

Q3. Where was Major Somnath Sharma born?

Q4. What was the name of Major Somnath Sharma’s father?

Q5. From which institution did Major Somnath receive his schooling?

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Tough Words (Glossary)

Valiant

Meaning: Brave and courageous

अर्थ: वीर / साहसी

"Major Somnath Sharma was a valiant soldier."

Etched

Meaning: Carved or fixed permanently

अर्थ: उकेरा हुआ

"His name is etched in history."

Annals

Meaning: Historical records

अर्थ: इतिहास / अभिलेख

"The event is recorded in the annals of the army."

Beacon

Meaning: A guiding light or inspiration

अर्थ: प्रकाशस्तंभ

"His bravery is a beacon for the nation."

Patriotism

Meaning: Love for one’s country

अर्थ: देशभक्ति

"Patriotism unites citizens in difficult times."

Valour

Meaning: Great courage in battle

अर्थ: पराक्रम

"The soldiers fought with valour."

Legacy

Meaning: Something handed down from the past

अर्थ: विरासत

"His legacy inspires generations."

Serene

Meaning: Calm and peaceful

अर्थ: शांत

"The Kashmir valley looked serene."

Majestic

Meaning: Grand and impressive

अर्थ: भव्य

"The majestic Himalayas surround Kashmir."

Integrity

Meaning: Unity and honesty of a nation

अर्थ: अखंडता

"The soldiers protected the integrity of India."

Guerrilla

Meaning: Irregular fighters using surprise attacks

अर्थ: गुरिल्ला सैनिक

"The army fought against guerrilla forces."

Infiltrators

Meaning: People entering secretly, often enemies

अर्थ: घुसपैठिए

"The infiltrators tried to capture Srinagar."

Annex

Meaning: To take control of a territory

अर्थ: विलय करना

"The invaders tried to annex Kashmir."

Strategic

Meaning: Important for planning and security

अर्थ: रणनीतिक

"The airport was of strategic importance."

Revolt

Meaning: An uprising against authority

अर्थ: विद्रोह

"The invaders wanted to engineer a revolt."

Contingent

Meaning: A group of soldiers

अर्थ: सैन्य दल

"A contingent was airlifted to Srinagar."

Airlifted

Meaning: Transported by aircraft

अर्थ: विमान से भेजा गया

"The soldiers were airlifted to Kashmir."

Combat

Meaning: A fight or battle

अर्थ: युद्ध / मुकाबला

"He insisted on joining the combat."

Rumours

Meaning: Unverified information

अर्थ: अफवाहें

"There were rumours of tribal movement."

Altitude

Meaning: Height above sea level

अर्थ: ऊँचाई

"The village was at a higher altitude."

Patrol

Meaning: To guard or monitor an area

अर्थ: गश्त करना

"The soldiers went to patrol the village."

Resistance

Meaning: Opposition to attack

अर्थ: प्रतिरोध

"The company put up stiff resistance."

Distraction

Meaning: Something that diverts attention

अर्थ: ध्यान भटकाना

"The first attack was just a distraction."

Tenacity

Meaning: Persistence and determination

अर्थ: दृढ़ता

"He urged his men to fight with tenacity."

Unparalleled

Meaning: Without equal, unmatched

अर्थ: अद्वितीय

"He displayed unparalleled bravery."

Ammunition

Meaning: Bullets and explosives for weapons

अर्थ: गोला-बारूद

"The soldiers began running out of ammunition."

Mortar

Meaning: A short gun for firing shells

अर्थ: गोलाबारी तोप

"He was killed by a mortar shell."

Reinforcements

Meaning: Extra troops sent to support

अर्थ: मददगार सैनिक / अतिरिक्त सेना

"Reinforcements arrived just in time."

Gallantry

Meaning: Heroic courage in battle

अर्थ: वीरता

"He was awarded for his gallantry."

Posthumously

Meaning: After a person’s death

अर्थ: मरणोपरांत

"He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra."

NCERT Solutions Class 8 English - Poorvi Chapter 2.1 – A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam

Chapter Introduction

Watch Video Lecture

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Important Points

Practice MCQ Questions (30 questions)

Q1. Who was India’s first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra?

Q2. In which year was Major Somnath Sharma born?

Q3. Where was Major Somnath Sharma born?

Q4. What was the name of Major Somnath Sharma’s father?

Q5. From which institution did Major Somnath receive his schooling?

Q6. Where did Major Somnath Sharma receive his military training?

Q7. In which regiment did Major Somnath Sharma serve during WWII?

Q8. During which campaign in WWII did Major Somnath serve?

Q9. What was the name of the regiment in the 1947 war?

Q10. What was the name of the operation launched by Pakistan in 1947?

Q11. When did Pakistan launch Operation Gulmarg?

Q12. What was the main aim of Operation Gulmarg?

Q13. Who was the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947?

Q14. When did Kashmir accede to India?

Q15. Which location was Major Somnath Sharma defending?

Q16. How many soldiers were in D Company under Major Somnath Sharma?

Q17. How many invaders attacked D Company?

Q18. When did the Battle of Badgam take place?

Q19. What was Major Somnath Sharma’s condition during the battle?

Q20. What did he say about joining his men in battle?

Q21. What did Major Somnath Sharma request during the battle?

Q22. What was the strength ratio between D Company and the enemy?

Q23. What were Major Somnath’s last words?

Q24. How old was Major Somnath Sharma when he died?

Q25. How long did D Company hold their ground after his death?

Q26. How many casualties did the enemy suffer?

Q27. Which battalion received the Battle Honour ‘Srinagar’?

Q28. When was Major Somnath Sharma awarded the Param Vir Chakra?

Q29. Which qualities best describe Major Somnath Sharma?

Q30. Where is Major Somnath Sharma’s name engraved today?