Important 3-Mark Questions - Chapter 4 - A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma (Unit 2)

Answer: The opening presents his bravery and sacrifice as a “beacon of inspiration”. It says that he is remembered through the National War Memorial, patriotic works and national celebrations. The repetition “forever alive” further shows that his example continues to guide later generations.

Answer: The numbers show how unequal the battle was. D Company had far fewer soldiers than the attacking force, yet it still resisted. This makes the company’s courage, discipline and ability to delay the enemy more significant.

Answer: These locations influence movement, supply and military access. Control of the airport could affect the arrival of troops and supplies, while mountain routes and passes could control entry into different areas. Therefore, these places had importance far beyond their size.

Answer: It shows that the situation had become urgent. The invasion had already begun, and important areas such as Srinagar needed immediate defence. Sending troops by air was a fast response to a rapidly developing threat.

Answer: The words show loyalty, responsibility and courage. His hand was in plaster and he knew the mission would be difficult, yet he chose to share the danger faced by his men instead of staying behind.

Answer: Badgam lay on higher ground near the Srinagar airfield, and access to the airfield passed through the village. A force controlling Badgam could therefore threaten the route to the airport and the troops and supplies using it. Geography turned a small village into a key defensive point.

Answer: The silence makes the danger harder to see because the enemy is secretly gathering nearby. The calm valley and the hidden threat do not match. This contrast creates tension and prepares the reader for the sudden attack.

Answer: It shows that he could think beyond what was immediately visible. Instead of assuming the first attack was the main threat, he anticipated a larger move. This quick judgement helped him understand the real danger facing D Company.

Answer: He had a small company facing a much larger attacking force, while the defence of Srinagar town, the airfield and the wider valley depended on holding the area until reinforcements arrived. The task combined a major numerical disadvantage with very high strategic stakes.

Answer: He recognised that his outnumbered company needed additional support, requested air strikes and then personally helped guide the aircraft with ground panels. He used the resources available to strengthen the defence even while the ground battle continued.

Answer: The chapter fills the scene with gunfire and cries of battle, creating a sense of confusion and danger. Against this noise, Major Sharma’s voice “cut through the chaos”, showing how his leadership remained clear even in extreme conditions.

Answer: Major Sharma did not simply tell others to fight. He moved through the battlefield, directed firing, helped prepare ammunition and encouraged the soldiers. His leadership involved doing urgent work alongside his men.

Answer: His words show complete commitment to defending the position. He knew the enemy was close, his men were badly outnumbered and ammunition was running low, yet he placed the mission above his personal safety. His duty to hold the line remained his priority.

Answer: He was killed at the fighting position while helping a soldier operate a weapon. This reinforces the idea that he led from the front and shared the danger and work of his men rather than directing them from safety.

Answer: His courage and leadership had already set an example for the soldiers. The chapter says his heroic actions motivated them to continue holding their position for over six more hours despite the larger enemy force.

Answer: D Company slowed the attackers for crucial hours and prevented an immediate advance towards Srinagar and its airfield. That delay allowed reinforcements to arrive. The strengthened defence then helped protect Srinagar, so the company’s resistance had consequences far beyond its own position.

Answer: His courage was clearly visible throughout the battle: he stayed with his men despite injury, moved under fire, directed firing, helped with ammunition and refused to withdraw. His bravery was therefore not hidden or ordinary; it was exceptional and openly demonstrated.

Answer: He grew up seeing military service within his own family and hearing stories that celebrated courage and duty. Together, these influences could have made service, discipline and bravery familiar values from an early age.

Answer: His path included formal schooling, demanding military training at Sandhurst and active service during World War II. These stages required long-term effort, discipline and commitment, making his life strong evidence of those qualities.

Answer: The chapter uses his story as one powerful example of a wider tradition of service. By referring to countless men and women who defended the country, it reminds readers that national safety and freedom depend on many acts of duty and sacrifice, not only one famous battle.

Answer: The reminder is poignant because the freedom and security protected in the battle came at the cost of lives, including Major Sharma’s at the age of 24. Remembering him therefore brings both pride in courage and sadness at the sacrifice required.