CBSE Class 8 English A Tale of Valour Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam MCQs Set 02

Answer: (A) Pathankot

Explanation:
1. Pathankot was the main road point connecting the plains to Jammu and Kashmir.
2. In the year 1947, traveling on this long ground road was very difficult.
3. It was filled with mud and bad tracks during rainy weather.

Answer: (C) Operation Gulmarg

Explanation:
1. Pakistan made a secret military plan in 1947 to capture Kashmir.
2. They gave this invasion the secret name Operation Gulmarg.
3. Brave Indian soldiers fought hard and stopped their plan.

Answer: (B) airport

Explanation:
1. The Srinagar airfield was the most important place in the whole valley.
2. Indian planes needed the airport to bring in fresh troops and supplies.
3. Major Sharma and his brave team stood firm to save this airport.

Answer: (B) Bravery

Explanation:
1. Major Sharma faced a huge crowd of enemy attackers without any fear.
2. He encouraged his soldiers to fight until the very last bullet.
3. His outstanding bravery saved Srinagar and inspired the whole country.

Answer: (D) Badgam, higher

Explanation:
1. Badgam village was located on higher ground than the airfield.
2. Being on higher ground helped the soldiers see the enemy coming.
3. If the enemy had taken Badgam, they could easily fire down upon the airport.

Answer: (B) He had a plastered left hand.

Explanation:
1. Major Sharma broke his hand while playing a hockey match.
2. His left hand was covered in a stiff plaster cast.
3. Even with this injury, he refused to sit in the hospital and went to battle.

Answer: (B) a soldier

Explanation:
1. Somnath Sharma was a brave officer in the Indian Army.
2. He served as a Major in the 4th Kumaon Regiment.
3. He became India's first Param Vir Chakra war hero.

Answer: (B) Kashmir’s king, Hari Singh

Explanation:
1. Pakistan had signed a Standstill Agreement with the ruler of Kashmir.
2. The ruler of Kashmir at that time was Maharaja Hari Singh.
3. Pakistan broke that peaceful promise by sending armed invaders into Kashmir.

Answer: (C) He decided not to withdraw and fight till the last round.

Explanation:
1. Senior officers told him to pull back because the enemy was very large.
2. Major Sharma knew that retreating would let the enemy take the airport.
3. He boldly chose to stand his ground and fight to the last bullet.

Answer: (C) National War Memorial

Explanation:
1. The National War Memorial in New Delhi honors India's fallen heroes.
2. Major Somnath Sharma's name is engraved in golden letters on its walls.
3. Citizens visit this memorial to pay tribute to his great sacrifice.

Answer: (C) Himachal Pradesh

Explanation:
1. Major Somnath Sharma was born on 31 January 1923.
2. His home was in Dadh village in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.
3. His family had a proud tradition of serving in the armed forces.

Answer: (A) not based on reason

Explanation:
1. The word "unfounded" describes a claim that has no proof or truth.
2. It means an idea that is not based on facts or clear reasoning.
3. For example, blaming someone without any evidence is completely unfounded.

Answer: (A) PVC

Explanation:
1. PVC stands for the Param Vir Chakra.
2. It is the highest military award for bravery in India.
3. Major Somnath Sharma was the very first soldier to be honored with it.

Answer: (B) around 500

Explanation:
1. About five hundred tribal raiders attacked the Indian post at Badgam.
2. The Indian soldiers in D Company were only around ninety in number.
3. Even though heavily outnumbered, our soldiers held off the huge enemy crowd.

Answer: (B) “I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round.”

Explanation:
1. Major Sharma sent this historic message over the radio to army headquarters.
2. He refused to give up even an inch of Indian motherland to the enemy.
3. These famous words remain a symbol of supreme courage for every Indian.

Answer: (B) Pakistani army

Explanation:
1. The tribal invaders were disguised as ordinary raiders.
2. In reality, officers of the regular Pakistani army were commanding them.
3. They supplied the raiders with modern guns, bullets, and heavy mortars.

Answer: (B) Operation Gulmarg

Explanation:
1. When Pakistan launched Operation Gulmarg, tribal raiders invaded Kashmir.
2. The Maharaja of Kashmir asked the Indian government for urgent military help.
3. He signed the Instrument of Accession, making Kashmir an official part of India.

Answer: (D) Kumaon Regiment

Explanation:
1. Major Somnath Sharma was an officer in the 4th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment.
2. The Kumaon Regiment is one of the most decorated regiments in the Indian Army.
3. He led D Company of this brave regiment during the Battle of Badgam.

Answer: (B) 31 October

Explanation:
1. Indian transport planes flew troops into Srinagar airport.
2. Major Somnath Sharma and D Company arrived in Srinagar on 31 October 1947.
3. They were sent immediately to patrol the nearby hills and protect the city.

Answer: (C) It allowed Indian reinforcements to arrive and save Srinagar.

Explanation:
1. Major Sharma and his men delayed the enemy for many crucial hours.
2. This delay gave fresh Indian soldiers enough time to land at the airport.
3. Because of their sacrifice, Srinagar city and the airfield were saved.

Answer: (B) D Company

Explanation:
1. An army battalion is split into smaller groups called companies.
2. Major Somnath Sharma was the commander of D Company.
3. D Company fought with great courage at the Battle of Badgam.

Answer: (B) Battle of Badgam

Explanation:
1. The Battle of Badgam took place on 3 November 1947 near Srinagar.
2. Major Sharma fought fearlessly to stop enemy invaders from reaching the airfield.
3. He sacrificed his life during this historic battle while defending India.

Answer: (A) left hand

Explanation:
1. Major Sharma had injured his left wrist while playing hockey.
2. His left hand was placed in a plaster cast by army doctors.
3. Despite his injured hand, he helped load ammunition for his men in battle.

Answer: (C) August 1947

Explanation:
1. Pakistan started planning Operation Gulmarg right around independence in August 1947.
2. The plan involved organizing tribal fighters to march into Kashmir.
3. The armed attackers entered the valley shortly after the plan was made.

Answer: (C) Sherwood

Explanation:
1. Major Somnath Sharma studied at Sherwood College in Nainital.
2. He was very active in sports and outdoor games during his school days.
3. His early school years helped him grow into a strong and disciplined officer.

Answer: (A) land route was in bad condition

Explanation:
1. The dirt road connecting Jammu to Srinagar was damaged and broken.
2. Moving large trucks and artillery over that broken route was impossible.
3. Transport airplanes were the only fast way to send troops to defend the city.

Answer: (C) his life

Explanation:
1. Major Somnath Sharma was hit by an enemy mortar shell.
2. He gave his life on 3 November 1947 while protecting his post.
3. His supreme sacrifice saved thousands of lives and kept Srinagar safe.

Answer: (C) Kashmir valley

Explanation:
1. Badgam is a small town located right next to Srinagar in Kashmir valley.
2. The battle took place in the open fields near the airfield in November 1947.
3. This crucial fight protected the entire Kashmir valley from falling to invaders.

Answer: (B) 03 November 1947

Explanation:
1. The decisive fight at Badgam took place on 3 November 1947.
2. It happened less than three months after India gained independence.
3. This brave fight stopped the invaders from capturing Srinagar.

Answer: (A) Strategic victory

Explanation:
1. India lost brave soldiers, but their sacrifice achieved the main goal.
2. They kept the Srinagar airfield safe from enemy hands.
3. This victory helped save the entire valley of Kashmir.