Character Sketch from Class 8 English Poorvi Book Unit 2 – Values and Dispositions Chapter 1 – A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam
A character sketch defines what the character is like and how he/she evolves or develops throughout the story. In this post you can find the Character Sketch of Major Somnath Sharma from Class 8 English Poorvi Book Unit 2 -Values and Dispositions Chapter 1 – A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam
Related:
- A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam Summary, Explanation
- A Tale of Valour: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam Question Answers
- Class 8 English Poorvi Book Lesson Notes
Questions related to the Character Sketch of Major Somnath Sharma
Question: Discuss the military heritage that Major Somnath inherited.
Ans. Major Somnath Sharma came from a family with a rich military legacy. His father, Major General Amar Nath Sharma, was in the military. His grandfather told him stories of the Mahabharata and its battles, inspiring him to be brave and selfless. His father’s occupation and his grandfather’s storytelling invoked a sense of courage and patriotism in him from a very young age.
Question: What are the values demonstrated by Major Somnath Sharma?
Ans. Major Somnath Sharma demonstrated various qualities. He demonstrated bravery because he led the D Company despite the injury in his left hand. He was brave because he defended India even when outnumbered greatly by the Pakistani invaders. He demonstrated selflessness because he put duty and his country before his own safety. He demonstrated leadership by leading 90 men to fight 500 invaders with strategy and encouragement. He demonstrated patriotism by sacrificing his life for the country. He was hard-working, as he trained rigorously at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst and then gained praise for his noble and heroic service in the 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment in 1942 and World War II in the Arakan Campaign in Burma. He was strategic and sharp, as he quickly realised that the first attack from tribal guerrilla invaders was just a distraction and adjusted the D Company accordingly.
Therefore, Major Somnath Sharma demonstrated bravery, selflessness, leadership, patriotism, hard work, sharpness, and intelligence.
Question: What qualities empowered Major Sharma to make the supreme sacrifice?
Ans. Bravery, selflessness, and patriotism empowered Major Somnath Sharma to make the supreme sacrifice. He laid down his life in order to save his country from the Pakistani invaders. He put devotion towards his duty above his own life.
Question: What is the outcome of the character’s bravery in the story “A Tale of Valour”?
Ans. Major Somnath Sharma’s bravery is not just inspirational but the pivotal force behind India’s victory in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1947-48. When the D Company, led by Major Somnath Sharma, was ambushed by the first attack by the tribal guerrilla invaders, he did not back down in fear or panic. He intelligently predicted attacks, strategically requested air strikes, and shouted encouragement at his men. Due to his valiant and supreme sacrifice, Major Somnath Sharma was able to defend the country from 500 invaders and the fierce resistance did not allow the enemy to pass through. Till the time the D Company was completely gone, the fly-in soldiers from the Punjab Regiment arrived at Srinagar, causing 300 casualties.
Therefore, the outcome of the character’s bravery in the story “A Tale of Valour” was the defeat of Pakistani invaders and securing the safety of the country he died for.
Question: Who is the central hero of the story, “A Tale of Valour”, and how does his character inspire you?
Ans. Major Somnath Sharma is the central hero of the story, “A Tale of Valour”. Major Somnath Sharma is not just inspirational but the pivotal force behind India’s victory in the Indo-Pakistan War that occurred in 1947-48.
Major Somnath Sharma’s upbringing was inspirational because it shows how important positive family heritage and hard work can build character. He trained rigorously at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst and then gained praise for his noble and heroic service in the 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment in 1942 and World War II in the Arakan Campaign in Burma. His major contribution and patriotic sacrifice was his noble duty in the Battle of Badgum, Indo-Pakistan 1947-48. He did not panic when the D Company was ambushed. He intelligently predicted attacks, strategically requested air strikes, and shouted encouragement at his men. Due to his valiant and supreme sacrifice, Major Somnath Sharma was able to defend the country from 500 invaders and the fierce resistance did not allow the enemy to pass through. The sheer patriotism and bravery he showed are astounding to civilians and soldiers even now. Soldiers now see Major Somnath Sharma as the ideal standard all soldiers should follow. Civilians are reminded of the sacrifices soldiers make for their safety and make them grateful. Major Somnath Sharma’s values and contributions are a source of inspiration for the present and will be for future generations.