A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma – Class 8 English Poorvi Question Answer (NCERT 2026–27)

Complete solutions for Class 8 English Poorvi Unit 2 (Values and Dispositions) Chapter 3 – “A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam”: summary in English and Hindi, theme, word meanings and every textbook exercise (Let us do these activities before we read, Let us discuss, Let us think and reflect, Let us learn, Let us listen, Let us speak, Let us write, Let us explore) answered in full text. The questions are kept exactly as in the NCERT book; all answers are written originally by ClearStudy.

About the chapter

“A Tale of Valour” is a non-fiction tribute to Major Somnath Sharma, the first soldier to be awarded India’s highest gallantry honour, the Param Vir Chakra (PVC). The piece narrates the Battle of Badgam (3 November 1947), fought near the Srinagar airport during the Indo–Pakistan War of 1947–1948. It belongs to Unit 2, ‘Values and Dispositions’, and celebrates the values of courage, duty, leadership and self-sacrifice.

Summary (English)

This chapter honours Major Somnath Sharma, India’s first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. After independence, Pakistan launched Operation Gulmarg in 1947 and sent around a thousand trained invaders into the Kashmir Valley to seize Srinagar and its airport. In response, India airlifted troops to defend Kashmir, and on 31 October 1947 the D Company of the 4th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment, led by Major Somnath Sharma, was flown into Srinagar. Although his left hand was in plaster, he refused to stay behind, insisting that he knew his men best and would not let them go into action without him.

On 3 November 1947, several companies were sent to patrol the village of Badgam, less than five kilometres from the airfield. As the other companies returned, Major Somnath Sharma’s 90 soldiers were left behind. The enemy, who had quietly gathered in the area, attacked. Sharma rightly judged that the first attack was only a distraction; soon a larger assault came, leaving his 90 men facing about 500 invaders. He called for air strikes, laid out ground panels to guide the aircraft, and moved fearlessly across the battlefield directing fire and filling magazines for his gunners.

When his company began running out of ammunition and was asked to withdraw, he refused, declaring that he would not retreat an inch but would fight to the last man and the last round. Minutes later, a mortar shell struck his position and killed him instantly. He was only 24. Inspired by his sacrifice, his men held their ground for more than six hours, buying precious time for reinforcements to arrive. Their resistance saved Srinagar for India and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy. For this act of conspicuous bravery, Major Somnath Sharma was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously, and his name is etched on the Honour Wall of the National War Memorial.

Summary (Hindi) – ‘A Tale of Valour’ का सार

यह पाठ भारत के पहले परमवीर चक्र विजेता मेजर सोमनाथ शर्मा को समर्पित श्रद्धांजलि है। स्वतंत्रता के बाद 1947 में पाकिस्तान ने ऑपरेशन गुलमर्ग चलाकर लगभग एक हज़ार प्रशिक्षित हमलावरों को कश्मीर घाटी में भेजा, ताकि श्रीनगर और उसके हवाई अड्डे पर कब्ज़ा किया जा सके। इसके जवाब में भारत ने अपनी सेना श्रीनगर पहुँचाई। 31 अक्टूबर 1947 को मेजर सोमनाथ शर्मा के नेतृत्व में कुमाऊँ रेजिमेंट की चौथी बटालियन की डी कंपनी श्रीनगर भेजी गई। उनका बायाँ हाथ प्लास्टर में था, फिर भी उन्होंने अपने सैनिकों के साथ युद्ध-क्षेत्र में रहने पर ज़ोर दिया।

3 नवंबर 1947 को बडगाम गाँव में गश्त के दौरान दुश्मन ने हमला कर दिया। मेजर शर्मा के केवल 90 सैनिक लगभग 500 हमलावरों का सामना कर रहे थे। उन्होंने हवाई हमलों की माँग की और साहसपूर्वक मोर्चे पर डटे रहे। गोला-बारूद खत्म होने पर भी उन्होंने पीछे हटने से इनकार कर दिया और कहा कि वे एक इंच भी पीछे नहीं हटेंगे, बल्कि आखिरी सैनिक और आखिरी गोली तक लड़ेंगे। कुछ ही देर में एक मोर्टार के गोले से उनकी मृत्यु हो गई; तब उनकी आयु केवल 24 वर्ष थी। उनके बलिदान से प्रेरित उनके सैनिकों ने छह घंटे से अधिक समय तक मोर्चा संभाले रखा, जिससे श्रीनगर भारत के लिए सुरक्षित रहा। इस अद्वितीय वीरता के लिए उन्हें मरणोपरांत परमवीर चक्र प्रदान किया गया।

About Major Somnath Sharma

Major Somnath Sharma was born on 31 January 1923 at Dadh in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, into a family with a rich military tradition. His father, Major General Amar Nath Sharma, served the nation with distinction, and as a boy Somnath was inspired by the valorous tales of the Mahabharata told to him by his grandfather. He studied at Sherwood College, Nainital, and trained at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Commissioned into the 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment in 1942, he served with distinction in World War II during the Arakan Campaign in Burma. His finest moment came in the Battle of Badgam in 1947, where he laid down his life at the age of 24 and became India’s first Param Vir Chakra awardee.

Theme & message

The chapter celebrates the highest ideals of duty, honour, patriotism and self-sacrifice. Major Somnath Sharma’s refusal to withdraw, his insistence on leading his men despite an injured hand, and his courage against overwhelming odds show that true leadership means putting the nation and one’s comrades before one’s own safety. The story reminds us of the price of freedom and the profound sense of duty that inspires soldiers.

Word meanings

Word	Meaning
valour	great courage, especially in battle
etched	permanently fixed in someone’s memory
beacon	a source of inspiration
infiltrators	people who secretly invade
annex	to take possession of (territory)
combat	a battle, fighting
unfounded	not based on reason or facts
eerily	in a strange, frightening way
outnumbered	were greater in number
resolute	determined
tenacity	determination, firmness
unparalleled	unmatched
magazines	containers that hold cartridges to feed a gun
ammunition	a supply of bullets, shells and explosives
crouched	sat with knees bent
conspicuous	noticeable, easily seen
posthumously	after death
legacy	values and traditions passed down generations
testament	strong evidence or proof
despatches	official reports on military affairs
forged	shaped or strengthened through hardship
poignant	emotional and sad

Before you read

I. Work in pairs. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

II. Work in groups of four and discuss.

Let us discuss

I. Arrange the following events in chronological order. (The first event is marked 1 and the last is marked 8.)

Let us think and reflect

I.1. Extract – “Vastly outnumbered and facing devastating fire, Major Somnath Sharma and his men stood resolute… encouraging his men to hold their ground.”

I.2. Extract – “Born on 31 January 1923, in the picturesque town of Dadh in Kangra… imparted to him by his grandfather.”

II. Answer the following questions.

Let us learn

I. Match the expressions in Column 1 with the situations in Column 2.

Column 1	Column 2 (situation)
1. Fight to the last man	(ii) The soldiers fought valiantly until each one laid down his life for the nation.
2. Foil the plan	(iv) A spy disrupts the enemy’s efforts to invade a country by intercepting their communications.
3. Deliver a blow	(i) A sports team scores a last-minute goal, giving them the lead and shaking the opponent’s confidence.
4. Hold their ground	(iii) Soldiers stay in their position and fight back, even though the enemy is stronger.

II. Collective nouns – match Column 1 to Column 2.

Column 1	Column 2 (meaning)
1. regiment	(ii) a permanent unit of an army, typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel/colonel and divided into several companies
2. squadron	(iii) a small unit, typically 12–24 aircraft and their crews, used in air force, naval or army aviation
3. fleet	(iv) a group of ships sailing together, engaged in the same activity or under the same ownership
4. battalion	(i) a large body of troops ready for battle, especially an infantry unit

III. Fill in the blanks with the correct ‘over-’ verbs.

IV. Noun (c) vs verb (s) – fill in correctly.

V. Subject–verb agreement – choose the correct verb.

VI. Correct the verbs in the passage.

Let us listen

(A listening activity about the Param Vir Chakra; the transcript is read by the teacher. Likely answers based on the well-known facts of the medal:)

Let us speak

This is a speaking activity. In groups of 4–5, speak about how you propose to serve the nation, choosing a theme such as saving the environment, health and well-being, helping others, or righteous conduct.

Let us write

I. Write a letter of enquiry to the in-charge of a Memorial in your state, requesting information about a school visit.

Let us explore

Extra questions

Short answer

1. Which regiment did Major Somnath Sharma command at Badgam?

2. What was Operation Gulmarg?

3. Why did Major Somnath Sharma refuse to stay back even with a plastered hand?

Long answer

4. Describe the courage and leadership shown by Major Somnath Sharma in the Battle of Badgam.

MCQs & Assertion–Reason

Assertion–Reason – choose: (a) A and R true, R explains A; (b) A and R true, R does not explain A; (c) A true, R false; (d) A false, R true.

Exam tips & common mistakes

FAQs

Questions are taken verbatim from the NCERT Poorvi textbook; summaries and answers are written originally by ClearStudy.