Major Somnath Sharma was an officer of the Indian Army and the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, India\u2019s highest military decoration for gallantry. He was awarded the decoration posthumously for his actions during the Battle of Badgam in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947\u201348. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was born on 31 January 1923<\/strong> at Dadh, Kangra district, Punjab Province, British India (present-day Himachal Pradesh, India)<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He died in action on 3 November 1947<\/strong> at Badgam (Budgam), Jammu and Kashmir<\/strong>, at the age of 24. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Major Somnath Sharma belonged to a military family. His father was Major General Amarnath Sharma<\/strong>, an officer in the Indian Army. <\/p>\n\n\n\n His younger brother General Vishwa Nath Sharma<\/strong> later served as the Chief of the Army Staff of the Indian Army. <\/p>\n\n\n\n His brother Lieutenant General Surinder Nath Sharma<\/strong> also served in the Indian Army. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Major Sharma graduated from the Royal Military College<\/strong> and was commissioned into the 9th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment<\/strong> on 22 February 1942<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The regiment later became the 4th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment<\/strong> of the Indian Army. <\/p>\n\n\n\n During the Second World War, Major Sharma served in the Arakan Campaign in Burma<\/strong>, where he fought against Japanese forces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He was mentioned in dispatches for his actions during the campaign, and the award was gazetted in January 1946. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On 22 October 1947<\/strong>, tribal forces supported by Pakistan invaded Jammu and Kashmir, initiating the conflict known as the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947\u201348. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On 27 October 1947<\/strong>, Indian Army troops were airlifted to Srinagar to respond to the invasion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On 31 October 1947<\/strong>, D Company of the 4th Kumaon Regiment, commanded by Major Sharma, was flown to Srinagar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At the time, Major Sharma\u2019s left hand was in a plaster cast due to an injury sustained earlier, but he insisted on accompanying his company into combat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Battle of Badgam took place on 3 November 1947<\/strong> in the Kashmir Valley near Srinagar Airport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Major Sharma commanded D Company of the 4th Kumaon Regiment during the engagement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Indian force consisted of approximately 50\u201370 troops<\/strong>, while the opposing tribal lashkar numbered around 1,000 men<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n During the battle, Sharma\u2019s company was surrounded from three sides and subjected to mortar fire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFamily Background<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nEducation and Commissioning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nMilitary Service During World War II<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nIndo-Pakistani War of 1947\u201348<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Background<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nBattle of Badgam (3 November 1947)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n