4.2 The Text

The full account is in your NCERT Poorvi textbook. This page gives an original summary and explanation of the real events — read the chapter itself first, then use these notes.

Summary

The chapter pays tribute to Major Somnath Sharma, the first Indian to receive the Param Vir Chakra. Born into a family with a proud military tradition, he grew up admiring tales of courage and chose a soldier’s life. During the Indo–Pakistan War of 1947, when invaders backed by Pakistan tried to capture the Srinagar airport and the Kashmir Valley, Major Sharma led the D Company of the 4th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment into battle at the village of Badgam — even though his left arm was in plaster.

On 3 November 1947, his small force of about 90 men was attacked by roughly 500 invaders. Outnumbered nearly seven to one, low on ammunition, and under heavy fire, he refused to retreat. He directed air strikes, laid out ground panels to guide the aircraft, distributed ammunition to his gunners, and kept urging his men to hold their ground. He was killed by a mortar shell while helping load a machine gun. His men, inspired by his courage, held on for over six more hours, giving Indian reinforcements time to arrive and helping save Srinagar for India. For his supreme sacrifice, made at just 24 years of age, he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously.

The story in stages

Early life and training. Somnath Sharma was born on 31 January 1923 at Dadh, in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. His father was a senior army officer, and his grandfather’s tales from the Mahabharata filled him with ideals of courage and duty. He studied at Sherwood College, Nainital, trained at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and was commissioned in 1942. He served with distinction in World War II in the Arakan Campaign in Burma.

Why Badgam mattered. Badgam village lay less than five kilometres from the Srinagar airport and on higher ground. Whoever controlled Badgam could threaten the airport — and the airport was India’s lifeline for flying in troops and supplies. Holding the area was therefore vital.

The battle. D Company was the last to be ordered back from patrol on 3 November. Seeing only a small Indian force, the enemy attacked. Major Sharma quickly realised the first attack was only a distraction (a feint); the main assault soon came from another side. Facing about 500 invaders with his 90 men, he called for air support and fought on against impossible odds.

The famous message. When told to pull back because ammunition was low, he sent his now-legendary reply:

“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.”

The sacrifice and the legacy. Moments later a mortar shell took his life. His stand inspired his men to fight on for hours, broke the enemy’s momentum (causing over 300 casualties among them), and saved Srinagar. His name is now etched on the Honour Wall of the National War Memorial.

The Key Idea Major Sharma’s greatness lies not only in how he died but in how he led. Injured and outnumbered, he kept thinking clearly — spotting the feint, calling air strikes, supplying his gunners — and kept his men’s spirits alive. Courage and clear-headed leadership together turned a hopeless position into a victory for the nation.