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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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