Somnath Sharma - Revision history

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	[[Major]] '''Somnath Sharma''', [[Param Vir Chakra\|PVC]] (31 January 1923 – 3 November 1947), was an officer of the [[Indian Army]], and the first recipient of the [[Param Vir Chakra]] (PVC), India's highest military decoration, which he was awarded posthumously.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/somnath-sharma\|title=SOMNATH SHARMA {{!}} Gallantry Awards\|website=Gallantry Awards, Government of India\|access-date=15 December 2017\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216091208/http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/somnath-sharma\|archive-date=16 December ~~2022~~}}</ref>		[[Major]] '''Somnath Sharma''', [[Param Vir Chakra\|PVC]] (31 January 1923 – 3 November 1947), was an officer of the [[Indian Army]], and the first recipient of the [[Param Vir Chakra]] (PVC), India's highest military decoration, which he was awarded posthumously.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/somnath-sharma\|title=SOMNATH SHARMA {{!}} Gallantry Awards\|website=Gallantry Awards, Government of India\|access-date=15 December 2017\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216091208/http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/somnath-sharma\|archive-date=16 December 2017}}</ref>

	Sharma was commissioned into the 8th Battalion, [[19th Hyderabad Regiment]], in 1942.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=Major Somnath Sharma: A hero for generations of soldiers – ADU News\|url=https://www.aviation-defence-universe.com/a-hero-for-generations-of-soldiers/\|access-date=2020-06-23\|website=aviation-defence-universe.com}}</ref> He served in Burma during the [[Arakan Campaign 1942–43\|Arakan Campaign]] of [[World War II]], for which he was [[Mentioned in dispatches\|mentioned in despatches]]. Fighting in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948]], Somnath Sharma was [[martyred in action]] on 3 November 1947 while repulsing Pakistani infiltrators near [[Srinagar Airport]]. For his gallantry and sacrifice during the [[Battle of Badgam]], he was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra.		Sharma was commissioned into the 8th Battalion, [[19th Hyderabad Regiment]], in 1942.<ref>{{Cite web\|title=Major Somnath Sharma: A hero for generations of soldiers – ADU News\|url=https://www.aviation-defence-universe.com/a-hero-for-generations-of-soldiers/\|access-date=2020-06-23\|website=aviation-defence-universe.com}}</ref> He served in Burma during the [[Arakan Campaign 1942–43\|Arakan Campaign]] of [[World War II]], for which he was [[Mentioned in dispatches\|mentioned in despatches]]. Fighting in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948]], Somnath Sharma was [[martyred in action]] on 3 November 1947 while repulsing Pakistani infiltrators near [[Srinagar Airport]]. For his gallantry and sacrifice during the [[Battle of Badgam]], he was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra.
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	==Early life and education==		==Early life and education==

	Sharma was born into a [[Dogra]] [[Brahmin]] family<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Desk\|first=India TV News\|date=2013-02-15\|title=India's first Param Vir Chakra winner Major Som Nath Sharma, the hero of 1947 war\|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/india-s-first-param-vir-chakra-winner-major-som-nath-sharma-20267.html\|access-date=2022-01-12\|website=indiatvnews.com\|language=en}}</ref> on 31 January 1923 at [[Dadh]], [[Kangra district\|Kangra]], [[Punjab Province (British India)\|Punjab]] (present day [[Himachal Pradesh]]). His father, Amar Nath Sharma, was a [[military officer]].{{efn\|He retired as a major general while serving as "Director Medical Services, Army".}}<ref name="The soldier who won India's first Param Vir Chakra">{{cite web\|title=The soldier who won India's first Param Vir Chakra\|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/nov/03spec.htm\|website=Rediff\|access-date=24 September 2016\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211015333/http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/nov/03spec.htm\|archive-date=11 December ~~2022~~}}</ref> Several of his siblings served in the military.{{Sfn\|Chakravorty\|1995\|pp=75–76}}{{efn\|His brothers were [[Lieutenant General]] [[Surindra Nath Sharma]] (retired as engineer-in-chief) and General [[Vishwa Nath Sharma]] ([[Chief of the Army Staff (India)\|Chief of the Army Staff]], 1988–1990). His sisters were Major [[Kamla Tewari]] ([[medical doctor]]){{Sfn\|Chakravorty\|1995\|pp=75–76}} and second sister Mrs Manorama Sharma, educationist and social worker.}} His younger brother, [[Vishwa Nath Sharma]], would later become the 14th [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)\|Chief of the Army Staff]] of the Indian Army. Somnath Sharma completed his schooling at [[Sherwood College]], [[Nainital]], before enrolling at the [[Rashtriya Indian Military College\|Prince of Wales Royal Military College]] in [[Dehradun]]. He later studied at the [[Royal Military College, Sandhurst\|Royal Military College]], [[Sandhurst, Berkshire\|Sandhurst]].{{Citation needed\|date=September ~~2022~~}} During his childhood, Somnath was influenced by the teachings of [[Krishna]] and [[Arjuna]] in the ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]'', taught to him by his grandfather.<ref name="The soldier who won India's first Param Vir Chakra"/>		Sharma was born into a [[Dogra]] [[Brahmin]] family<ref>{{Cite web\|last=Desk\|first=India TV News\|date=2013-02-15\|title=India's first Param Vir Chakra winner Major Som Nath Sharma, the hero of 1947 war\|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/india-s-first-param-vir-chakra-winner-major-som-nath-sharma-20267.html\|access-date=2022-01-12\|website=indiatvnews.com\|language=en}}</ref> on 31 January 1923 at [[Dadh]], [[Kangra district\|Kangra]], [[Punjab Province (British India)\|Punjab]] (present day [[Himachal Pradesh]]). His father, Amar Nath Sharma, was a [[military officer]].{{efn\|He retired as a major general while serving as "Director Medical Services, Army".}}<ref name="The soldier who won India's first Param Vir Chakra">{{cite web\|title=The soldier who won India's first Param Vir Chakra\|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/nov/03spec.htm\|website=Rediff\|access-date=24 September 2016\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211015333/http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/nov/03spec.htm\|archive-date=11 December 2016}}</ref> Several of his siblings served in the military.{{Sfn\|Chakravorty\|1995\|pp=75–76}}{{efn\|His brothers were [[Lieutenant General]] [[Surindra Nath Sharma]] (retired as engineer-in-chief) and General [[Vishwa Nath Sharma]] ([[Chief of the Army Staff (India)\|Chief of the Army Staff]], 1988–1990). His sisters were Major [[Kamla Tewari]] ([[medical doctor]]){{Sfn\|Chakravorty\|1995\|pp=75–76}} and second sister Mrs Manorama Sharma, educationist and social worker.}} His younger brother, [[Vishwa Nath Sharma]], would later become the 14th [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)\|Chief of the Army Staff]] of the Indian Army. Somnath Sharma completed his schooling at [[Sherwood College]], [[Nainital]], before enrolling at the [[Rashtriya Indian Military College\|Prince of Wales Royal Military College]] in [[Dehradun]]. He later studied at the [[Royal Military College, Sandhurst\|Royal Military College]], [[Sandhurst, Berkshire\|Sandhurst]].{{Citation needed\|date=September 2020}} During his childhood, Somnath was influenced by the teachings of [[Krishna]] and [[Arjuna]] in the ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]'', taught to him by his grandfather.<ref name="The soldier who won India's first Param Vir Chakra"/>

	==Military career==		==Military career==
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	===Receiving the Param Vir Chakra===		===Receiving the Param Vir Chakra===

	On 21 June 1950, Somnath Sharma's award of the [[Param Vir Chakra]], for his actions on 3 November 1947 in defending the Srinagar airport, was [[gazetted]]. This was the first time the honour had been awarded since its inception.<ref name="11 Facts You Need To Know About The Param Vir Chakra">{{cite web\|title=11 Facts You Need To Know About The Param Vir Chakra\|url=http://www.indiatimes.com/culture/who-we-are/11-facts-you-need-to-know-about-the-param-vir-chakra-231518.html\|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]\|access-date=24 September 2016\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917191121/http://www.indiatimes.com/culture/who-we-are/11-facts-you-need-to-know-about-the-param-vir-chakra-231518.html\|archive-date=17 September ~~2022~~}}</ref> Coincidentally, [[Savitri Khanolkar]], the mother-in-law of Sharma's brother, was the designer of the Param Vir Chakra.{{Sfn\|NCERT\|2016\|p=12}}<ref name="7 Facts Average Indian Doesn’t Know About Param Vir Chakra">{{cite web\|author1=Priya Aurora\|title=7 Facts Average Indian Doesn't Know About Param Vir Chakra\|url=http://topyaps.com/7-facts-average-indian-doesnt-know-about-param-vir-chakra\|website=Topyaps\|access-date=24 September 2016\|date=27 December 2013\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920125041/http://topyaps.com/7-facts-average-indian-doesnt-know-about-param-vir-chakra\|archive-date=20 September ~~2022~~}}</ref>		On 21 June 1950, Somnath Sharma's award of the [[Param Vir Chakra]], for his actions on 3 November 1947 in defending the Srinagar airport, was [[gazetted]]. This was the first time the honour had been awarded since its inception.<ref name="11 Facts You Need To Know About The Param Vir Chakra">{{cite web\|title=11 Facts You Need To Know About The Param Vir Chakra\|url=http://www.indiatimes.com/culture/who-we-are/11-facts-you-need-to-know-about-the-param-vir-chakra-231518.html\|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]\|access-date=24 September 2016\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917191121/http://www.indiatimes.com/culture/who-we-are/11-facts-you-need-to-know-about-the-param-vir-chakra-231518.html\|archive-date=17 September 2016}}</ref> Coincidentally, [[Savitri Khanolkar]], the mother-in-law of Sharma's brother, was the designer of the Param Vir Chakra.{{Sfn\|NCERT\|2016\|p=12}}<ref name="7 Facts Average Indian Doesn’t Know About Param Vir Chakra">{{cite web\|author1=Priya Aurora\|title=7 Facts Average Indian Doesn't Know About Param Vir Chakra\|url=http://topyaps.com/7-facts-average-indian-doesnt-know-about-param-vir-chakra\|website=Topyaps\|access-date=24 September 2016\|date=27 December 2013\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920125041/http://topyaps.com/7-facts-average-indian-doesnt-know-about-param-vir-chakra\|archive-date=20 September 2016}}</ref>

	The official citation reads:		The official citation reads:
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	[[File:National War Memorial India, Circle of Sacrifice, Somnath Sharma.jpg\|thumb\|250x250px\|Major Somnath Sharma's name on the Tyag Chakra (Circle of Sacrifice), [[National War Memorial (India)\|National War Memorial]], India.]]		[[File:National War Memorial India, Circle of Sacrifice, Somnath Sharma.jpg\|thumb\|250x250px\|Major Somnath Sharma's name on the Tyag Chakra (Circle of Sacrifice), [[National War Memorial (India)\|National War Memorial]], India.]]

	In the 1980s, the [[Shipping Corporation of India]] (SCI), a [[Government of India]] enterprise under the aegis of the [[Ministry of Shipping (India)\|Ministry of Shipping]], named fifteen of their [[crude oil tanker]]s in honour of the Param Vir Chakra recipients. The crude oil tanker named MT ''Major Somnath Sharma, PVC'' was delivered to SCI on 11 June 1984. The tanker was phased out after 25 years service.<ref name="Vessel details for: MAJOR SOMNATH SHARMA PVC (Crude Oil Tanker) – IMO 8224107, MMSI -8224107, Call Sign Registered in {{!}} AIS Marine Traffic">{{cite web\|title=Vessel details for: Major Somnath Sharma PVC (Crude Oil Tanker) – IMO 8224107, MMSI – 8224107\|url=http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:909610/mmsi:-8224107/imo:8224107/vessel:MAJOR_SOMNATH_SHARMA_PVC\|website=Marine Traffic\|access-date=14 December 2016\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107040420/http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:909610/mmsi:-8224107/imo:8224107/vessel:MAJOR_SOMNATH_SHARMA_PVC\|archive-date=7 January ~~2022~~}}</ref>		In the 1980s, the [[Shipping Corporation of India]] (SCI), a [[Government of India]] enterprise under the aegis of the [[Ministry of Shipping (India)\|Ministry of Shipping]], named fifteen of their [[crude oil tanker]]s in honour of the Param Vir Chakra recipients. The crude oil tanker named MT ''Major Somnath Sharma, PVC'' was delivered to SCI on 11 June 1984. The tanker was phased out after 25 years service.<ref name="Vessel details for: MAJOR SOMNATH SHARMA PVC (Crude Oil Tanker) – IMO 8224107, MMSI -8224107, Call Sign Registered in {{!}} AIS Marine Traffic">{{cite web\|title=Vessel details for: Major Somnath Sharma PVC (Crude Oil Tanker) – IMO 8224107, MMSI – 8224107\|url=http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:909610/mmsi:-8224107/imo:8224107/vessel:MAJOR_SOMNATH_SHARMA_PVC\|website=Marine Traffic\|access-date=14 December 2016\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107040420/http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:909610/mmsi:-8224107/imo:8224107/vessel:MAJOR_SOMNATH_SHARMA_PVC\|archive-date=7 January 2017}}</ref>

	==In popular culture==		==In popular culture==

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{{Short description|First recipient of the Param Vir chakra}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Major]]
| name = Somnath Sharma
| honorific_suffix = [[Param Vir Chakra|PVC]]
| image = Somnath Sharma 2003 stamp of India.jpg
| image_size = 250 px
| caption = Major Somnath Sharma on a 2003 stamp of India
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1923|1|31|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Dadh]], [[Kangra district]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab Province]], [[British India]] (present-day [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[India]])
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1947|11|3|1923|1|31|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Badgam]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[Dominion of India]]
| resting_place =
| servicenumber = IC-521{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=75–76}}
| resting_place_coordinates =
| residence =
| branch = {{Army|British India}}<br />{{Army|India}}
| serviceyears = 1942–1947
| rank = [[File:Major of the Indian Army.svg|24px]] [[Major]]
| other_names =
| awards = {{plainlist|
*[[File:Param-Vir-Chakra-ribbon.svg|32px]] [[Param Vir Chakra]]
* [[Mentioned in despatches]]
}}
| unit = [[Kumaon Regiment|4th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment]]
| battles = [[World War II]]
*[[Arakan Campaign 1942–43|Arakan campaign]]
[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947]]
*[[Battle of Badgam]] {{KIA}}
| education =
| allegiance = {{Flag|British India}}<br />{{Flag|India}}
| relations = [[Vishwa Nath Sharma|General V. N. Sharma]] (brother)
}}

[[Major]] '''Somnath Sharma''', [[Param Vir Chakra|PVC]] (31 January 1923 – 3 November 1947), was an officer of the [[Indian Army]], and the first recipient of the [[Param Vir Chakra]] (PVC), India's highest military decoration, which he was awarded posthumously.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/somnath-sharma|title=SOMNATH SHARMA {{!}} Gallantry Awards|website=Gallantry Awards, Government of India|access-date=15 December 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216091208/http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/somnath-sharma|archive-date=16 December 2022}}</ref>

Sharma was commissioned into the 8th Battalion, [[19th Hyderabad Regiment]], in 1942.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Major Somnath Sharma: A hero for generations of soldiers – ADU News|url=https://www.aviation-defence-universe.com/a-hero-for-generations-of-soldiers/|access-date=2020-06-23|website=aviation-defence-universe.com}}</ref> He served in Burma during the [[Arakan Campaign 1942–43|Arakan Campaign]] of [[World War II]], for which he was [[Mentioned in dispatches|mentioned in despatches]]. Fighting in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-1948]], Somnath Sharma was [[martyred in action]] on 3 November 1947 while repulsing Pakistani infiltrators near [[Srinagar Airport]]. For his gallantry and sacrifice during the [[Battle of Badgam]], he was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra.

==Early life and education==

Sharma was born into a [[Dogra]] [[Brahmin]] family<ref>{{Cite web|last=Desk|first=India TV News|date=2013-02-15|title=India's first Param Vir Chakra winner Major Som Nath Sharma, the hero of 1947 war|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/india-s-first-param-vir-chakra-winner-major-som-nath-sharma-20267.html|access-date=2022-01-12|website=indiatvnews.com|language=en}}</ref> on 31 January 1923 at [[Dadh]], [[Kangra district|Kangra]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]] (present day [[Himachal Pradesh]]). His father, Amar Nath Sharma, was a [[military officer]].{{efn|He retired as a major general while serving as "Director Medical Services, Army".}}<ref name="The soldier who won India's first Param Vir Chakra">{{cite web|title=The soldier who won India's first Param Vir Chakra|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/nov/03spec.htm|website=Rediff|access-date=24 September 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211015333/http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/nov/03spec.htm|archive-date=11 December 2022}}</ref> Several of his siblings served in the military.{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=75–76}}{{efn|His brothers were [[Lieutenant General]] [[Surindra Nath Sharma]] (retired as engineer-in-chief) and General [[Vishwa Nath Sharma]] ([[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]], 1988–1990). His sisters were Major [[Kamla Tewari]] ([[medical doctor]]){{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=75–76}} and second sister Mrs Manorama Sharma, educationist and social worker.}} His younger brother, [[Vishwa Nath Sharma]], would later become the 14th [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]] of the Indian Army. Somnath Sharma completed his schooling at [[Sherwood College]], [[Nainital]], before enrolling at the [[Rashtriya Indian Military College|Prince of Wales Royal Military College]] in [[Dehradun]]. He later studied at the [[Royal Military College, Sandhurst|Royal Military College]], [[Sandhurst, Berkshire|Sandhurst]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}} During his childhood, Somnath was influenced by the teachings of [[Krishna]] and [[Arjuna]] in the ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]'', taught to him by his grandfather.<ref name="The soldier who won India's first Param Vir Chakra"/>

==Military career==

On 22 February [[1942]], upon his graduation from the Royal Military College, Sharma was commissioned into the 9th Battalion, [[19th34Hyderabad Regiment]], of the [[British Indian Army]] (later to become the [[Indian Army]]'s 4th Battalion, [[Kumaon Regiment]]).{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=75–76}}{{Sfn|Khanduri|2006|p=148}} During [[World War II]], he saw action against the [[Japan]]ese in [[Burma]] during the [[Arakan Campaign 1942–43|Arakan Campaign]]. At that time he served under the command of [[Kodandera Subayya Thimayya|Colonel K. S. Thimmayya]], who would later rise to the rank of general and become [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]] from 1957 to 1961. Sharma was [[mentioned-in-dispatches|mentioned in despatches]] for his actions during the fighting of the Arakan Campaign.<ref name="The soldier who won India's first Param Vir Chakra" /> The award was gazetted in January 1946.<ref name="Mentioned in dispatches">{{cite web |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37425/supplement/388 |website=thegazette.co.uk |title=Supplement to the London Gazette|access-date=9 September 2022}}</ref>

Throughout his military career, Sharma was influenced by his uncle Captain K. D. Vasudeva's gallantry in action. Vasudeva also served with the 8th Battalion, participating in the [[Malayan Campaign]] during which he died aiding hundreds of soldiers under his command to survive from the Japanese offensive.<ref name="The soldier who won India's first Param Vir Chakra" />

===Battle of Badgam:Somnath Sharma===

{{main|Battle of Badgam}}

{{main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1947}}

On 27 October 1947, a contingent of troops of the [[Indian Army]] was air-lifted into Srinagar in response to the invasion by Pakistan on 22 October into the [[Kashmir Valley]](sonkmark). On 31 October, D Company of 4th Battalion of [[Kumaon Regiment]], under the command of Sharma, was flown in to [[Srinagar]]. During this time, his left hand was in a [[plaster cast]] as a result of injuries sustained previously on the [[field hockey|hockey]] field, but he insisted on being with his company in [[combat]] and was subsequently given permission to go.{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=75–76}}

On 3 November, a batch of three companies was deployed to the [[Badgam]] area on [[patrol]] duties. Their objective was to check the infiltrators moving toward Srinagar city area from the north. As there was no enemy movement, two of the three deployed companies returned to Srinagar at 2:00{{nbsp}}pm. However, Sharma's D Company, was ordered to stay in position until 3:00{{nbsp}}pm. At 2:35{{nbsp}}pm, Sharma's company was fired upon from the local resident houses in [[Budgam|Badgam]] but counter-fire was not ordered to avoid injuring or killing innocent [[civilians]]. Suddenly, a tribal ''[[Lascar|lashkar]]'' ([[English (language)|English]]: militiamen) of 700 infiltrators approached the Badgam from the direction of [[Gulmarg]]. D Company was soon surrounded from three sides and sustained heavy casualties from [[mortar fire]]. Sharma realized the importance of holding onto his position as both the city of Srinagar and the airport would be vulnerable if lost. Under heavy fire, and outnumbered by a [[ratio]] of seven to one, he urged his company to fight bravely, often exposing himself to the enemy fire as he ran from one [[Outpost (military)|post]] to the other.{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=75–76}}

When heavy casualties adversely affected the company's firing power, Sharma took upon himself the task of distributing [[ammunition]] to his men, operating [[light machine gun]]s. While busy fighting the infiltrators, a [[mortar shell]] exploded on a pile of ammunition near him.{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=75–76}} Before he succumbed to his injuries, he transmitted a message to his brigade's headquarters which read:
{{Quotation|
"The enemies are 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."
|author=Major Somanth Sharma, Battle of Badgam, 1947 GOPAL SHARMA

|source={{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=75–76}}<ref name="The soldier who won India's first Param Vir Chakra" />
}}

By the time a relief company, from the 1st Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment, reached Badgam, the position held by Sharma's company had been overrun. However, the 200 casualties suffered by the tribal infiltrators caused them to lose the [[wikt:impetus|impetus]] to advance. This bought time for Indian forces to fly into Srinagar [[airfield]] and block all routes of ingress to Srinagar itself.<ref name="The soldier who won India's first Param Vir Chakra" /> During the battle, along with Sharma, one [[junior commissioned officer]] and 20 other ranks of D company were killed in action.{{Sfn|Chakravorty|1995|pp=75–76}} Sharma's body was recovered three days later. Though it was disfigured beyond recognition, his body was identified by means of the leather holster of his pistol and a few pages of ''Bhagavad Gita'' in his chest pocket.<ref name="The soldier who won India's first Param Vir Chakra" />

===Receiving the Param Vir Chakra===

On 21 June 1950, Somnath Sharma's award of the [[Param Vir Chakra]], for his actions on 3 November 1947 in defending the Srinagar airport, was [[gazetted]]. This was the first time the honour had been awarded since its inception.<ref name="11 Facts You Need To Know About The Param Vir Chakra">{{cite web|title=11 Facts You Need To Know About The Param Vir Chakra|url=http://www.indiatimes.com/culture/who-we-are/11-facts-you-need-to-know-about-the-param-vir-chakra-231518.html|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=24 September 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917191121/http://www.indiatimes.com/culture/who-we-are/11-facts-you-need-to-know-about-the-param-vir-chakra-231518.html|archive-date=17 September 2022}}</ref> Coincidentally, [[Savitri Khanolkar]], the mother-in-law of Sharma's brother, was the designer of the Param Vir Chakra.{{Sfn|NCERT|2016|p=12}}<ref name="7 Facts Average Indian Doesn’t Know About Param Vir Chakra">{{cite web|author1=Priya Aurora|title=7 Facts Average Indian Doesn't Know About Param Vir Chakra|url=http://topyaps.com/7-facts-average-indian-doesnt-know-about-param-vir-chakra|website=Topyaps|access-date=24 September 2016|date=27 December 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920125041/http://topyaps.com/7-facts-average-indian-doesnt-know-about-param-vir-chakra|archive-date=20 September 2022}}</ref>

The official citation reads:
{{Quotation|
On 3 November 1947, Major Somnath Sharma's company was ordered on a fighting patrol to Badgam in the Kashmir Valley . He reached his objective at first light on 3 November and took up a position south of Badgam at 11:00 hours. The enemy, estimated at about 500 attacked his company position from three sides; the company began to sustain heavy casualties. Fully realizing the gravity of the situation and the direct threat that would result to both the [[aerodrome]] and Srinagar via [[Hum Hom]], Major Somnath Sharma urged his company to fight the enemy tenaciously. With extreme bravery he kept rushing across the open ground to his sections exposing himself to heavy and accurate fire to urge them to hold on. Keeping his nerve, he skilfully directed the fire of his sections into the ever-advancing enemy. He repeatedly exposed himself to the full fury of enemy fire and laid out cloth strips to guide our aircraft onto their targets in full view of the enemy. Realising that casualties had affected the effectiveness of his light automatics, this officer whose left hand was in plaster, personally commenced filling magazines and issuing them to the light machine gunners. A mortar shell landed right in the middle of the ammunition resulting in an explosion that killed him. Major Sharma's company held on to this position and the remnants withdrew only when almost completely surrounded. His inspiring example resulted in the enemy being delayed for six hours, thus gaining time for our reinforcements to get into position at Hum Hom to stem the tide of the enemy advance. His leadership, [[wikt:gallantry|gallantry]] and tenacious defence were such that his men were inspired to fight the enemy by seven to one, six hours after this gallant officer had been killed. He has set an example of courage and qualities seldom equalled in the history of the Indian Army. His last message to the Brigade Headquarters a few moments before he was killed was, 'the enemy are 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.'
|source=<ref name="Maj Somnath Sharma, PVC @ TWDI">{{cite web|title=Maj Somnath Sharma, PVC|url=http://twdi.in/node/1075|website=The War Decorated India & Trust|access-date=24 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924193845/http://twdi.in/node/1075|archive-date=24 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|author= Gazette Notification: 2 Pres/50, 21.6.50
}}

==''legacy of late major Somnath Sharma''==

[[File:Major Somnath Sharma statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Sharma's statue at ''Param Yodha Sthal'', [[National War Memorial (India)|National War Memorial]], New Delhi]]

[[File:National War Memorial India, Circle of Sacrifice, Somnath Sharma.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Major Somnath Sharma's name on the Tyag Chakra (Circle of Sacrifice), [[National War Memorial (India)|National War Memorial]], India.]]

In the 1980s, the [[Shipping Corporation of India]] (SCI), a [[Government of India]] enterprise under the aegis of the [[Ministry of Shipping (India)|Ministry of Shipping]], named fifteen of their [[crude oil tanker]]s in honour of the Param Vir Chakra recipients. The crude oil tanker named MT ''Major Somnath Sharma, PVC'' was delivered to SCI on 11 June 1984. The tanker was phased out after 25 years service.<ref name="Vessel details for: MAJOR SOMNATH SHARMA PVC (Crude Oil Tanker) – IMO 8224107, MMSI -8224107, Call Sign Registered in {{!}} AIS Marine Traffic">{{cite web|title=Vessel details for: Major Somnath Sharma PVC (Crude Oil Tanker) – IMO 8224107, MMSI – 8224107|url=http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:909610/mmsi:-8224107/imo:8224107/vessel:MAJOR_SOMNATH_SHARMA_PVC|website=Marine Traffic|access-date=14 December 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107040420/http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:909610/mmsi:-8224107/imo:8224107/vessel:MAJOR_SOMNATH_SHARMA_PVC|archive-date=7 January 2022}}</ref>

==In popular culture==

The first episode of the TV series on the lives of Param Vir Chakra recipients, ''[[Param Vir Chakra (TV series)|Param Vir Chakra]]'' (1988) covered Sharma's actions of 3 November 1947. In that episode, his part was played by [[Farooque Sheikh]]. The episode was directed by [[Chetan Anand (director)|Chetan Anand]].<ref>{{cite web| title = Mandi House hardsells Kashmir in its serial 'Gul Gulshan Gulfam'| newspaper = [[India Today]]| url = http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mandi-house-hardsells-kashmir-in-its-serial-gul-gulshan-gulfam/1/315475.html| author = Madhu Jain| date = 15 August 1990| access-date = 13 August 2014| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140814124434/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mandi-house-hardsells-kashmir-in-its-serial-gul-gulshan-gulfam/1/315475.html| archive-date = 14 August 2014| df = dmy-all}}</ref>

{{clear}}

==Notes==
'''Footnotes'''<br />
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

'''Citations'''<br />
{{reflist|30em}}

==References==
{{refbegin}}
* {{citation|first1=B.C. |last1=Chakravorty|title=Stories of Heroism: PVC & MVC Winners|year=1995|publisher=Allied Publishers|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-81-7023-516-3|language=English|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uzizVBSb4YsC}}
* {{citation|title=Thimayya: An Amazing Life |last1=Khanduri|first1=Chandra B. |year=2006|publisher=Knowledge World|location=New Delhi |isbn=978-81-87966-36-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZWXfAAAAMAAJ}}
* {{Citation|last1 =NCERT|first1=Govt. of India|author-link=National Council of Educational Research and Training|year =2016|title=Veer Gaatha|publisher=[[National Council of Educational Research and Training]]|publication-place=New Delhi|url=http://www.ncert.nic.in/publication/Miscellaneous/pdf_files/veergatha.pdf|isbn=978-93-5007-765-8}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Somnath Sharma}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBiPrnymPyE |title=Param Vir Chakra – Major Somnath Sharma – Episode-1m |format=Video |publisher=HimalayaFilmsIndia |via=[[YouTube]]}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBddIfd17Zg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/KBddIfd17Zg |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|title= Major Somnath Sharma – Param Vir Chakra |format=Video |publisher=Param Vir Chakra |via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}

{{Param Vir Chakra recipients}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sharma, Somnath}}
[[Category:Indian military personnel killed in action]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Param Vir Chakra]]
[[Category:1923 births]]
[[Category:1947 deaths]]
[[Category:Rashtriya Indian Military College alumni]]