In 1950, Major Somnath Sharma became the first person to receive India’s highest military award, the Param Vir Chakra. He was only 24 at the time. Despite having a fractured arm, Major Somnath battled valiantly. In October 1947, he died while leading his unit to Budgam in Kashmir to stop a Pakistani infiltration. “The enemy is only 50 yards from us,” was his last message to the Brigade Headquarters. “We are significantly outnumbered. We are being severely attacked. I won’t give up, and I’ll fight to the very last man and round.”
Early Life
On January 31, 1923, Major Somnath Sharma was born in the Dadh area of Kangra, Himachal Pradesh (then the Punjab province). The majority of his family members, his father, Major General Amar Nath Sharma, his brothers, Lt. General Surender Nath Sharma and General Vishwa Nath Sharma, and his sister, Major Kamla Tewari, a physician were from the Army.
After graduating from Sherwood College in Nainital, he entered the Prince of Wales Royal Military College in Dehradun at the age of 10. Later, he enrolled in the Royal Military College. His military career began on February 22, 1942, when he was commissioned into the British Indian Army’s 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment (he later transferred to the 4th Battalion Kumaon Regiment). He served in the same regiment as Captain Krishna Dutt Vasdeva, his maternal uncle.
One of the notable fights Major Somnath Sharma fought in was with the British Army in Burma during World War II under Colonel K S Thimmayya. He was posted to Arakan in his very first deployment, where he displayed his mettle. One of the men was hurt while battling the Japanese in Arakan. He carried the wounded soldier on his shoulder to safety despite enemy gunfire. In addition, he received a “Mention of Dispatch” for his valiant deed.
Battle of Badgam: November 1947
Major Somnath Sharma and his company were instructed to travel to Badgam village on November 3, 1947, to take command of the situation there. After a hockey game, he needed to get a plaster cast put over his wounded left hand. But the major persisted in fighting alongside the jawans to save the country. In the course of the Pakistani raiders’ march to Srinagar, Badgam was one of the most hazardous roads.
500 raiders entered the village from Gulmarg and made their way towards Badgam. They soon surrounded the company from three sides. The company of Major Sharma was heavily bombarded and under assault. They suffered significant losses. Although they were greatly outnumbered, Major recognised that the Badgam village was crucial because if they lost this position, Srinagar and the airport would become exposed.
Sharma exhorted his group to fight valiantly and took on the responsibility of reloading magazines for the soldiers using light machine guns. Without giving his own life a thought, he was sprinting from post to post, inspiring his squad. He was killed while gallantly battling the enemy when a mortar shell detonated in the centre of the munitions, causing an explosion.
The rescue squad had lost their location by the time they got to Badgam. The intruders 200 casualties hindered their communication. The soldiers arrived by air in Srinagar and shut down all entrances. Major Somnath Sharma is credited with being a key factor in the accomplishment of the goals. Major Sharma, who was only 25 years old when he gave his life for the country, was the country’s first Param Vir Chakra winner. His courageous and valiant narrative should serve as an example to all of us and to future generations.
Also read: Wartime And Peacetime Gallantry Awards [Full List]
Also read: 21 Param Vir Chakra Awardees Every Indian Should Know
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