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A Tale of Valour
Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam
Video Lesson
Quick Revision Notes
🏔️ The Threat to Kashmir
In August 1947, Pakistan launched Operation Gulmarg to annex the Kashmir Valley, violating an agreement with Maharaja Hari Singh.
🪖 A Brave Leader
On October 31, the D Company of the 4th Battalion of Kumaon Regiment arrived under the command of Major Somnath Sharma. Even though his left hand was in a plaster cast, he insisted on being with his men in combat.
⚔️ The Battle of Badgam
On November 3, 1947, Major Sharma’s company was patrolling the village of Badgam. Only his 90 soldiers were left behind when a massive force of about 500 tribal infiltrators attacked.
🦅 The Final Stand
Outnumbered seven to one, Major Sharma bravely laid out ground panels to guide the aircraft. His famous last message was: “I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round.”
🎖️ An Immortal Legacy
Major Sharma was instantly killed by a mortar shell. However, his heroism saved Srinagar. He was awarded India’s highest military honour, the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) posthumously.
Comprehension Check
Vocabulary Master
Printable CBSE Worksheet
Includes Revision Map, Extract Questions, Subjective Q&A, and Teacher Key.
Smart English Resources Academy
cbse.smartresourcesacademy.com
Chapter: A Tale of Valour
(Major Somnath Sharma & the Battle of Badgam)
SECTION 1: COGNITIVE ANCHORS & REVISION
The Big Picture: This lesson commemorates the extraordinary bravery and supreme sacrifice of Major Somnath Sharma (India’s first Param Vir Chakra recipient), who led 90 men to defend the Srinagar airport against 500 armed infiltrators, ultimately laying down his life.
Character Profile: Major Somnath Sharma
- Background: Born Jan 31, 1923, into a family with a rich military legacy.
- Dedication: Insisted on combat despite his left hand being in a plaster cast.
- Leadership: Directed fire and filled magazines personally under heavy fire.
- Legacy: Awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously.
Timeline of Events
Aug 1947
Pakistan launches Operation Gulmarg to illegally annex Kashmir.
Oct 26, 1947
Kashmir officially becomes a part of India.
Oct 31, 1947
Major Somnath Sharma and D Company airlifted to Srinagar.
Nov 3, 1947
The Battle of Badgam: D Company attacked by 500 infiltrators. Major Sharma achieves martyrdom.
Vocabulary Mastery
| Target Word | Contextual Meaning | Usage in Text |
|---|---|---|
| Infiltrators | People who secretly invade a territory. | “…foil the plan of some 500 infiltrators…” |
| Tenacity | Unwavering determination. | “…fight with tenacity and valour.” |
| Posthumously | Awarded after a person’s death. | “…awarded posthumously…” |
Smart English Resources Academy
SECTION 2: EXAM-PATTERN WORKSHEET
Part A: Reference to Context (8 Marks)
“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.”
1. Who spoke these words, and who was he communicating with? (1M)
2. Why did the speaker state they were “heavily outnumbered”? (1M)
3. Which character trait is most evident here? (1M)
4. Find a word that means ‘highly destructive’. (1M)
“His left hand was in a plaster cast due to a sports injury, but he insisted on joining his company in combat. He told his seniors, ‘I know my men better than anyone else, and if they are going into action, they are not going in without me.'”
5. Who is the speaker of the quoted words in the extract? (1M)
6. What was the physical condition of the speaker at the time? (1M)
7. What does this statement reveal about his attitude towards his soldiers? (1M)
8. Find a word from the extract that means ‘demanded firmly’. (1M)
Smart English Resources Academy
Part B: Subjective Questions (9 Marks)
9. (SAQ – 30 words): Why was Major Somnath Sharma’s presence on Oct 31st considered highly motivating for his troops? (2 Marks)
10. (SAQ – 30 words): Why was capturing the Srinagar airport strategic for the infiltrators under Operation Gulmarg? (2 Marks)
11. (LAQ – 100 words): Describe the final moments of Major Somnath Sharma. How did his leadership save the Kashmir Valley? (5 Marks)
Part C: Higher Order Thinking Skills
12. Extrapolative Writing: Imagine you are a young soldier in D Company writing a diary entry on the night of November 2nd, 1947. Describe your feelings upon seeing your injured Major refusing to leave your side. (5 Marks)
Smart English Resources Academy
SECTION 3: TEACHER’S EVALUATION KEY & SCAFFOLDING
Q1-Q4 (Extract 1)
1. Major Sharma to Brigade HQ. 2. 90 soldiers vs ~500 infiltrators (1:7 ratio). 3. Courage/Determination. 4. Devastating.
Scaffolding: For Q2, guide students to underline the numbers 90 and 500 in the text. For Q4, ask: “Which word in the extract describes the fire as highly damaging?”
Q5-Q8 (Extract 2)
5. Major Somnath Sharma. 6. His left hand was in a plaster cast. 7. Deep dedication, leadership, and brotherly bond. 8. Insisted.
Scaffolding: For Q6, point students to the first sentence. For Q7, ask: “Does a leader who abandons his men say this? What word describes someone who sticks by their team?”
Q9 (SAQ) Plastered left hand; insisted on joining combat; showed true dedication.
Scaffolding: Provide the sentence starter: “His presence was motivating because even though he had a…”
Q10 (SAQ) To stop Indian reinforcements and supplies from arriving by air.
Scaffolding: Ask: “How do soldiers travel quickly over mountains?” (Airplanes). “What happens if the enemy takes the airport?”
Q11 (LAQ) Guided air strikes with panels; ran between trenches under fire; died from mortar shell; held off enemy for 6 vital hours.
Scaffolding: Provide a 3-step writing framework: 1. How he helped planes (panels), 2. How he helped soldiers (ammunition), 3. The final result (6 hours saved).
Q12 (HOTS) Diary Entry format. Markers: Anxiety before battle; deep respect for Major Sharma; feeling a surge of courage.
Scaffolding: Give struggling writers a format skeleton (Date, Time, “Dear Diary”). Prompt emotions: “I was terrified of the 500 men, but then I saw the Major with his plaster arm…”