• India’s first Param Vir Chakra was given to Maj Somnath Sharma in 1950 for bravery and leadership during the Battle of Badgam 1947. Know about Battle in brief, his Leadership Qualities and Lessons for Every Young Hero.

The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) was introduced on January 26, 1950 (Republic Day of India), by the President of India, with effect from August 15, 1947 (Independence Day of India). This is the highest military honour and the second-highest government decoration after the Bharat Ratna.

It is awarded to Indian armed forces personnel for the most conspicuous bravery or highest degree of valour or self-sacrifice, exceptional courage and firm determination in the presence of the enemy during wars, whether on land, at sea, or in the air.

The PVC has been awarded only twenty-one times, including 14 posthumously, a statistical rarity that underscores the supreme sacrifice required to earn it. There are 20 recipients from the Indian Army and one from the Indian Air Force.

From this issue onwards, we shall bring you the stories of the Param Vir Chakra award winners. We shall begin with the first PVC that was awarded to Major Somnath Sharma for his gallant actions on November 3, 1947.

This article was first published in the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Journal.

In the early years of independent India, when the nation was still finding its feet, a young army officer showed the world what it truly means to be brave. He believed that duty could not wait for comfort, and he stood firm against overwhelming odds in the defence of Kashmir in 1947. When Jammu and Kashmir came under attack in October 1947, he refused to stay behind despite his right arm being in plaster from a recent fracture. He insisted on moving with D Company of the 4th Kumaon Regiment because he knew that, at moments like these, an officer must stand where their soldiers stand. His courage, leadership, and sacrifice not only saved a city but was also inspirational.

He was Major Somnath Sharma. His supreme sacrifice earned him India’s first Param Vir Chakra (PVC), the highest award for wartime bravery. It was conferred on him posthumously for his bravery during the Battle of Badgam.

The PVC is given to members of the Indian Armed Forces who perform acts of extraordinary heroism during war. The PVC is not just a medal, it is a living legacy of India’s bravest heroes, a reminder that courage in the face of overwhelming odds can change the course of history. It is the ultimate recognition of courage on the battlefield, equivalent to the Medal of Honour in the United States and the Victoria Cross in the United Kingdom. 

The name ‘Param Vir Chakra’ means ‘Wheel of the Ultimate Brave’ in Sanskrit. The medal represents the nation’s gratitude to its bravest soldiers. It is a source of inspiration for generations of Indians and a reminder of the values of duty, courage, and patriotism. His story teaches us that true heroes put others before themselves, face danger without fear, and inspire teamwork and hope—even when the odds are against them. This is his story of valour, duty, and love for the motherland. 

Major Somnath Sharma’s life reads like an adventure novel full of daring rescues, unbreakable resolve, and selfless leadership. He was a 24-year-old army officer with a broken right arm in plaster when he rushed to defend Kashmir in 1947. He showed that true courage means putting your duty first, even when you are hurt. His journey, from mist-shrouded Kangra to the smoking trenches of Badgam, is very fascinating.

Early Life and Inspirations

Somnath was born on January 31, 1923, in Dadh village of Kangra, in Himachal Pradesh, into an illustrious military family. His father, Major General Amarnath Sharma, was an Army Medical Corps Officer who retired as Director of Army Medical Services. His brothers, Lieutenant General Surinder Nath Sharma retired as Engineer-in-Chief and General Vishwa Nath Sharma retired as Chief of Army Staff from 1988 to 1990. His sister, Major Kamla Tewari, was a doctor in the Army Medical Services. His uncle, Captain K.D. Vasudeva died heroically in World War II’s Malayan Campaign, saving hundreds of soldiers.

This act of selflessness became a guiding light for young Somnath. As a child, Somnath was deeply influenced by the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, explained to him by his grandfather. These lessons on duty and courage stayed with him forever. Somnath Sharma alias Somi carried water each morning from the stone well, a chore he turned into a test of endurance. At age nine, he pruned the family orchard under monsoon downpours, discovering that grit beats comfort. Evenings brought stories of ancient heroes by lantern light, sparking his dream to one day wear the Army uniform himself.

School Days: Protector and Mentor

He did his schooling, along with his brother, at Hampton Court Convent, Mussoorie. When Somi and his little brother Tindy went to school in Mussoorie, Somi used his height and strength to protect Tindy and some friends from bullies. In return, those friends helped him sharpen his Hindi essays and arithmetic. He captained the hockey team, held late-night study groups for juniors struggling with homesickness and showed early leadership qualities. His friends remember him as disciplined, cheerful, and always ready to help others.

Even as a student, he dreamed of serving the nation in uniform, not for glory, but to protect people. Later, he went to Sherwood College, Nainital and to the Prince of Wales Royal Military College (now Rashtriya Indian Military College) in Dehradun, because of his strong desire to join the army.

Selection to Become an Army Officer

In 1941, Somi was selected to become an Army Officer. He was trained at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst in the UK, one of the most prestigious military academies in the world. Nine months of reveille-to-lights-out drills tested his body and mind. He topped his platoon in map-reading and night navigation. He volunteered to supervise extra kitchen duty, earning a reputation for fairness and compassion. In field exercises, he repeatedly led solo scouting missions, proving both stealth and initiative.

On February 22, 1942, he was commissioned into the 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment (later the 4th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment) of the Indian Army, when he was just 19 years old.

World War II Service

In 1944, he fought in the Arakan Campaign in Burma (Myanmar) under Colonel K S Thimmayya, who later became Chief of the Army staff.

Deployed during World War II on the Arakan coast against Japanese forces, Somnath’s courage showed in one act that became regimental legend. Amidst heavy Japanese shellfire, he spotted his orderly, Bahadur, who was badly wounded under enemy fire and pinned to the mud. Somnath carried him on his shoulders and raced through exploding mortars to safety, undaunted by the risk or his fatigue. He refused to leave him behind despite orders. For this, he was ‘Mentioned in Despatches’, a formal recognition of bravery. This act displayed Somi’s lifelong courage and compassion. 

By mid-1947, now a Captain, he worked as an adjutant in Punjab, helping to keep peace during India’s partition in 1947. When fighting broke out in Kashmir, Somi was determined to lead his men there. He found himself orchestrating refugee relief when India was partitioned. He mapped safe corridors for fleeing families, organised medical camps under a single kerosene lamp, and penned reassuring letters home for worried parents.

The Indo-Pak War of 1947–48

In October 1947, Pakistan sent tribal raiders into Jammu & Kashmir to capture it by force, and Srinagar airfield was their main target. The Maharaja of Kashmir signed the Instrument of Accession, making the state part of India. The Indian government made an urgent call for reinforcements.

Major Somnath Sharma was promoted to Major on October 1, 1947. On October 31, 1947, despite his injured arm in a plaster cast from a hockey match accident, he insisted on flying with his ‘D’ Company of 4 Kumaon to Srinagar. The valley was tense and uncertain.

Entrance to Raniket War Memorial, Kumaon is called Somnath Dwar. 

Battle of BADGAM

Tribal raiders and irregular forces were pushing toward Srinagar, and the airfield there was the lifeline by which reinforcements, ammunition, and medical help could arrive. Major Sharma, along with his D Company of 4 Kumaon, was ordered to patrol and hold the approaches that might let the enemy into Srinagar city. The next morning, his soldiers dug trenches near Badgam village, just south of the Srinagar airfield.

Their job was to stop the Pak tribesmen who wanted to capture the airstrip and cut off reinforcements. By the morning of November 3, 1947, his company had taken up positions south of Badgam village. They were expected to stay only until mid-afternoon while other troops returned to Srinagar, but the enemy came sooner and in greater numbers than anyone had imagined.

Around mid-afternoon, a lashkar of nearly 700 Pak raiders advanced from the direction of Gulmarg. They surrounded D Company from three sides and penned up fire with small arms, mortars, and heavy automatic weapons. The attack was sudden and fierce. Under the heavy barrage, casualties mounted quickly, and the situation looked dire.

Major Sharma understood what was at stake: if the ridge south of Badgam and the airfield fell, Srinagar could be cut off. He moved through the trenches and foxholes, not barking orders from behind cover but standing where bullets flew. He changed fear into purpose by the way he spoke, by the calm of his gestures, and by doing the dangerous things himself.

Leadership in the Heat of the Battle

Major Somnath Sharma exemplified front-line leadership when his D Company came under attack at Badgam. Fully aware that losing their position would expose Srinagar and its airfield, he moved across open ground under accurate and heavy enemy fire to rally each section and direct their fire. His visible presence, even with a plastered arm, inspired soldiers outnumbered seven to one, to hold their ground. He combined tactical foresight with personal example.

For six hours, Major Sharma and his soldiers faced the 700 enemy attackers. He ran from post to post, reloading magazines, handing weapons to soldiers who had lost theirs, and manning a light machine gun whenever a gap appeared. His right arm was in plaster, yet he reloaded Bren guns with his uninjured hand and kept the lines firing.

When the Indian Air Force Dakotas were called in, Major Sharma did something extraordinary. Under enemy fire, he laid out brightly coloured cloth panels on the ground to mark enemy concentrations and guide the aircraft for precise strikes. Those panels helped the planes drop their bombs exactly where they could hurt the raiders most and spare the village. His voice and signals were calm and clear in the chaos. Where panic could have broken the defence, his steady orders created disciplined resistance. When ammunition began to run out and many men were killed or wounded, he kept giving magazines, kept firing, and kept encouraging his soldiers to hold on.

The Ultimate Act of Bravery and Final Words

As daylight waned and ammunition ran dangerously low, Somnath’s radio crackled one last time: “We will fight to our last man and our last round.” His words echoed across every Indian barracks, becoming a timeless rallying cry. He moved from post to post, encouraging his soldiers, distributing ammunition, and even manning light machine guns himself. Suddenly, a direct mortar explosion occurred near the ammunition dumb that Major Somnath Sharma was handling, and he became a martyr. In that action, one junior commissioned officer and twenty Jawans also sacrificed their lives. 

As the company’s fighting power weakened, Lance Naik Balwant Singh and other soldiers gathered what courage remained for a desperate counterattack. They charged out and struck at the enemy, a bold move that bought precious minutes. Those minutes mattered. Their courage and sacrifice stopped the enemy long enough for the airfield to remain under Indian control and for reinforcements to pour in.

Without that delay, Srinagar might have been lost. Because of their brave stand, Srinagar airfield remained open, reinforcements arrived, and the enemy advance was stopped. Twin Dakotas landed fresh troops, two jeeps brought more ammunition, and medical supplies were flown in.

Award of the Param Vir Chakra

For his “most conspicuous bravery, indomitable leadership, and self-sacrifice”, Major Somnath Sharma was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra on June 21, 1950. He was the very first recipient of India’s highest military honour.

Incidentally, the Param Vir Chakra medal was designed by Savitri Bai Khanolkar, whose daughter was married to Major Sharma’s brother, Lieutenant General Surindra Nath Sharma, PVSM, AVSM. 

MEMORIALS

1. His life and bravery were featured in the 1990 TV series, Param Vir Chakra.

2. His name is engraved at the National War Memorial, New Delhi.

3. His story is now part of NCERT school textbooks, ensuring young Indians learn about his courage.

4. IMA’s annual cross-country race carries his name, spurring cadets to push past limits.

5. Schools in Kangra and Mussoorie hold ‘Sharma Day’ debates and quizzes, teaching young minds the meaning of duty and self-belief.

6. Statues and busts honour him in Himachal Pradesh and at military establishments.

7. The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (SCI) named its first Crude Oil Tanker MT ‘Major Somnath Sharma, PVC’.

8. On Independence Day 2025, a new statue was unveiled in his home state to inspire future generations.

Key Leadership Qualities: 

Major Sharma’s leadership not only stalled the enemy advance but also cemented his legacy as a commander who embodied the ethos of ‘soldier first, leader always’. His key leadership qualities are:

Leading by Example: Exposed himself repeatedly to heavy fire to encourage his troops.

Resolute Calm: Maintained composure under mortar bombardment, making clear decisions that kept his company cohesive and focused.

Resourcefulness: Employed simple signal panels for air support and improvised roles of loader, machine-gunner, ammunition bearer, to plug gaps in his defences.

Inspirational Communication: His final radio message- “We will fight to our last man and our last round”- became a rallying cry for future generations of Indian soldiers.

Lessons for Every Young Hero

Major Somnath Sharma’s life teaches us that:

Duty Above Self: Even with an injured arm, he chose to lead from the front. A simple act of kindness, a firm stand in crisis, a voice that lifts others when hope falters Courage in Adversity: True bravery is standing firm when the odds are against you. True courage shines brightest when pain, fear, or disadvantage stand in its way.

Leadership by Example: He never asked his men to do what he would not do himself. His leadership grew by serving others first, clearing trenches, or guiding air strikes.

Sacrifice for the Greater Good: His actions saved Srinagar and possibly all of Kashmir for India.

Inspiration for All: Age, injury, or fear should never stop us from doing what is right.

Unbroken Spirit and Beacons of Bravery: Whenever you face a bully, a daunting test, or the chance to help someone in need, remember Somnath’s plastered arm and his unbroken spirit. In him, you will find the spark that turns ordinary hearts into beacons of bravery.

A Legacy of Courage

The real legacy of Major Somnath Sharma is the story he left for young people: that courage mixed with care, quick thinking combined with calm, and selfless action in the face of danger can save others. He replied to the Brigade Commander in his last message, “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 our last man and our last round.”

Stories like his are not only history. They are lessons about what it means to be responsible for others, to act bravely when it matters most, and to put duty above comfort. If you are ever faced with a hard choice, let the courage of that small company at Badgam remind you that holding the line for what is right can change the future

This article was first published in the Bhavan’s Journal, January 16-31, 2026 issue. This article is courtesy and copyright Bhavan’s Journal, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai-400007. eSamskriti has obtained permission from Bhavan’s Journal to share. Do subscribe to the Bhavan’s Journal – it is very good.

Also read

1. Raniket War Memorial dedicated to Major Somnath Sharma

2. The Battle of SHALTENG-Story of How Srinagar was saved in 1947

3. All about Accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India