CBSE Class 8 English A Tale of Valour Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam Worksheet Set 03

Fill in the Blanks

Question. Major Somnath Sharma was born in _____, Himachal province.
Answer: Dadh
Explanation: Dadh is a quiet, beautiful village in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh where young Somnath was born.

Question. The incidents leading to the Battle of Badgam began when _____ launched Operation Gulmarg in 1947.
Answer: Pakistan
Explanation: Pakistan planned a secret invasion called Operation Gulmarg to capture the Kashmir Valley.

Question. Kashmir was formally made a part of India on 26 October _____.
Answer: 1947
Explanation: In October 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the agreement to join India so Indian soldiers could help protect the people.

Question. The supreme military award given for bravery in India is called the _____.
Answer: Param Vir Chakra
Explanation: The Param Vir Chakra is the highest medal in India given to soldiers who show extraordinary courage during war.

Question. Major Somnath Sharma led _____ Company of the 4th Kumaon Regiment.
Answer: D
Explanation: D Company was the brave team of around ninety soldiers commanded by Major Sharma at Badgam.

True or False

Question. Major Somnath Sharma's left hand was in bandages during the Battle of Badgam.
Answer: True
Explanation: Major Sharma had broken his wrist during a hockey match, so his left hand was wrapped in a hard plaster cast.

Question. The troops protecting Srinagar airport outnumbered the infiltrators during the battle.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Indian company had only about 90 soldiers, while the enemy invaders were more than 500 fighters.

Question. Major Somnath Sharma withdrew when enemy numbers became too large.
Answer: False
Explanation: He refused to run away and famously declared that he would fight to the very last man and last bullet.

Question. Major Somnath Sharma was awarded the Param Vir Chakra while he was still living.
Answer: False
Explanation: He received this high honor posthumously, meaning after he laid down his life for the nation.

Question. Kashmir was officially made a part of India after the Pakistani invasion started.
Answer: True
Explanation: The King of Kashmir signed the papers to join India after Pakistani raiders attacked his territory.

Questions / Short Question Answers

Question. Who was the first winner of the Param Vir Chakra?
Answer: Major Somnath Sharma was India's first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, awarded posthumously for his unmatched courage in the Battle of Badgam.
Explanation: He was the very first hero of independent India to receive this supreme medal for bravery.

Question. What key place were the infiltrators trying to capture?
Answer: The infiltrators were trying to capture the Srinagar airport.
Explanation: If the enemy had taken the airport, Indian airplanes could not land to bring in fresh troops and supplies.

Question. Why was Major Somnath Sharma’s left hand in plaster during the fight?
Answer: He had suffered a bone fracture while playing hockey, yet he insisted on leading his soldiers into combat despite his medical condition.
Explanation: Even though he was hurt and in pain, he loved his men too much to stay resting in the hospital.

Question. State one early influence that moulded Somnath Sharma's character.
Answer: He was deeply inspired by the heroic tales of the Mahabharata narrated to him by his grandfather, which instilled strong values of duty, bravery, and selflessness.
Explanation: Listening to exciting bedtime stories about ancient warriors made him want to grow up into a brave soldier.

Question. What was the aim of Operation Gulmarg?
Answer: Operation Gulmarg aimed to annex Kashmir by sending armed tribal raiders led by Pakistani army regulars to overthrow the local government and capture strategic locations.
Explanation: It was a secret attack plan made to take over cities, roads, and the airport in Kashmir.

Question. Explain the importance of Major Somnath Sharma's leadership during the Battle of Badgam.
Answer: His leadership was crucial because he personally motivated his heavily outnumbered men, directed gunfire, reloaded magazines, and held the ground, preventing the enemy from reaching Srinagar.
Explanation: A great leader stays with his team, gives them courage, and shows them how to stay strong in danger.

Question. What was Major Somnath Sharma’s last message before he was killed?
Answer: His last radio message was: "I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round."
Explanation: These famous words show that he chose to protect our motherland until his very last breath.

Question. Describe the method used by Major Somnath Sharma to guide air strikes during the battle.
Answer: Major Sharma bravely moved into open view under enemy fire and spread white cloth ground panels to show Indian fighter aircraft where to strike the hidden infiltrators.
Explanation: Pilots in airplanes high up in the sky look for bright white cloths on the soil to know where the enemy is hiding.

Question. How many jawans were in D Company, and how many invaders did they face?
Answer: D Company had around 90 soldiers and they courageously faced nearly 500 enemy infiltrators.
Explanation: The enemy force was more than five times larger, but our soldiers stood firm like a solid wall.

Question. What occurred to Major Somnath Sharma during the battle?
Answer: While helping his gunner reload ammunition in a trench, an enemy mortar shell landed directly on the ammunition boxes, killing him instantly.
Explanation: A heavy bomb fired by the enemy exploded right next to him, and he died as a brave martyr.

Question. Where is Major Somnath Sharma’s name remembered today?
Answer: His name is inscribed on the National War Memorial in New Delhi, and his heroic story is taught in school textbooks across the nation.
Explanation: Every Indian can visit the war memorial in Delhi to see his name carved in golden letters.

Question. How did Major Somnath Sharma and his men add to the outcome of the conflict in Kashmir Valley?
Answer: Their stubborn resistance delayed the enemy advance for over six hours, giving Indian transport planes enough time to land reinforcements safely and save Srinagar from capture.
Explanation: By holding the invaders back, they bought precious hours for more Indian troops to fly in and win the fight.

Question. Explain the strategic value of Badgam and Srinagar airport in the Indo-Pak war.
Answer: Srinagar airport was the only lifeline to airlift troops and food supplies into Kashmir. Badgam was on high ground next to it; controlling Badgam was vital to prevent enemy fire on the landing strip.
Explanation: The airport was like a doorway into Kashmir, and Badgam was the doorstep that had to be guarded.

Question. What were the effects of the Battle of Badgam on the outcome of the war?
Answer: The battle prevented the immediate fall of Srinagar, broke the momentum of the tribal raiders, and allowed the Indian Army to launch a counter-offensive to liberate surrounding regions.
Explanation: This battle saved the city of Srinagar and helped India win control over the whole valley.

Question. Describe the role played by Major Somnath Sharma during the fierce battle despite being injured.
Answer: Despite having a fractured hand, he ran across the firing line, inspired his men, filled light machine-gun magazines, laid air markers, and refused all orders to retreat.
Explanation: True heroes never let an injury stop them when their friends and country need their help.

Question. What does Major Somnath Sharma’s life tell us about the qualities of a true soldier?
Answer: His life exemplifies that a true soldier puts duty before comfort, leads from the front, remains fearless in danger, and values the safety of the nation above personal survival.
Explanation: A real soldier always thinks about protecting other people before thinking about himself.

Question. Why is Major Somnath Sharma considered an emblem of courage and patriotism?
Answer: Because he chose to fight against impossible odds, ignored his own injury, and sacrificed his life to ensure that our country's borders remained safe from invaders.
Explanation: An emblem means a shining symbol of someone who truly loved his nation with all his heart.

Question. How can the bravery of Major Somnath Sharma motivate today’s youth?
Answer: It teaches young people to act with integrity, take responsibility, stand firm against unfair challenges, and put the welfare of society and country ahead of selfish desires.
Explanation: His story teaches boys and girls to be brave, truthful, and helpful in school and everyday life.

Vocabulary Activity - "Guess the Word"

Question. Define the word 'valour' as used in the chapter.
Answer: Valour means exceptional courage, bravery, and determination shown when facing great danger in battle.
Explanation: Valour is the special kind of bravery soldiers show when protecting others during a war.

Question. Guess the word: An honor or award presented to a soldier after their demise.
Answer: Posthumous (or Posthumously)
Explanation: "Posthumous" is an English word used when someone receives an award after they have passed away.

Question. Guess the word: Armed attackers who secretly cross a border to create violence.
Answer: Infiltrators
Explanation: Infiltrators are bad people or enemy fighters who sneak secretly into another country's land.

Question. Guess the word: A formal agreement of joining together, such as the Instrument of _____ signed by Kashmir.
Answer: Accession
Explanation: Accession means the official legal act of joining a country or union.

Question. Guess the word: A radiant light placed on high ground that guides travelers and gives hope.
Answer: Beacon
Explanation: A beacon is a bright lighthouse flame that helps people find their way safely through storms.