Quick Review Flashcards - Click to flip and test your knowledge!
Question
Who was the first Indian recipient of the Param Vir Chakra?
Answer
Major Somnath Sharma
Question
What is the translation of 'Param Vir Chakra'?
Answer
Wheel of the Ultimate Bravery
Question
Major Somnath Sharma served in which specific regiment of the Indian Army?
Answer
The Kumaon Regiment
Question
In which state and town was Somnath Sharma born in 1923?
Answer
Dadh in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
Question
What was the name of the Pakistani military operation launched in August 1947 to annex the Kashmir Valley?
Answer
Operation Gulmarg
Question
Who was the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir when Pakistan launched Operation Gulmarg?
Answer
Maharaja Hari Singh
Question
On what date did the Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir officially become a part of India?
Answer
26 October 1947
Question
Why were Indian troops airlifted into Srinagar instead of using land routes in October 1947?
Answer
The land route through Pathankot was in poor condition.
Question
Major Somnath Sharma insisted on going into combat despite having what physical injury?
Answer
His left hand was in a plaster cast.
Question
Major Somnath Sharma led which specific company during the Battle of Badgam?
Answer
D Company of the 4th Battalion
Question
What was the primary strategic objective Major Somnath Sharma's men were defending in Badgam?
Answer
The Srinagar airport
Question
On what date did the Battle of Badgam occur?
Answer
03 November 1947
Question
How many Indian soldiers in D Company faced approximately 500 invaders during the Battle of Badgam?
Answer
90
Question
What tactical method did Major Somnath Sharma use to guide aircraft for air strikes during the battle?
Answer
He laid out ground panels.
Question
What were Major Somnath Sharma's famous last words regarding his position in battle?
Answer
"I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round."
Question
How was Major Somnath Sharma killed during the battle?
Answer
He was hit by a mortar shell while filling magazines for his gunners.
Question
The design of the Param Vir Chakra is inspired by which ancient sage?
Answer
Sage Dadhichi
Question
In the centre of the Param Vir Chakra, the state emblem is surrounded by four of which mythical weapon?
Answer
The Vajra
Question
Term: Valour
Answer
Definition: Great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle.
Question
Term: Infiltrators
Answer
Definition: Individuals who secretly enter a territory to invade or occupy it.
Question
Term: Annex
Answer
Definition: To take possession of an area or territory, often by force.
Question
Term: Tenacity
Answer
Definition: The quality of being very determined and persistent.
Question
Term: Posthumously
Answer
Definition: Occurring or awarded after the death of the person involved.
Question
In military terminology, what is a 'magazine'?
Answer
A container that holds cartridges to be fed into a gun.
Question
What is the definition of the word 'conspicuous' in the context of bravery awards?
Answer
Clearly visible or noticeable.
Question
What does the word 'etched' mean when used figuratively regarding memory?
Answer
Permanently fixed in someone’s memory.
Question
Which collective noun describes a permanent army unit typically commanded by a colonel and divided into companies?
Answer
Regiment
Question
Which collective noun refers to a large body of troops ready for battle, specifically an infantry unit?
Answer
Battalion
Question
What collective noun is used for a unit comprising 12–24 aircraft and their crews?
Answer
Squadron
Question
What collective noun describes a group of ships sailing together or under the same ownership?
Answer
Fleet
Question
The term 'beacon' is used in the text to describe a source of what?
Answer
Inspiration
Question
To 'foil a plan' means to do what to an opponent's intentions?
Answer
Prevent them from succeeding.
Question
What does the expression 'hold their ground' mean in a combat scenario?
Answer
To stay in position and fight back despite enemy pressure.
Question
Who provided young Somnath Sharma with the valorous tales of the Mahabharata that inspired him?
Answer
His grandfather
Question
What was the military rank of Somnath Sharma's father, Amar Nath Sharma?
Answer
Major General
Question
In which year was Major Somnath Sharma commissioned into the 19th Hyderabad Regiment?
Answer
1942
Question
The National War Memorial features Major Somnath Sharma's name on which specific section?
Answer
The Honour Wall
Question
How many invaders were the Indian air strikes targeting during the Battle of Badgam?
Answer
Approximately 700 (or about 7 times the size of D Company)
Question
The word 'valour' has the same meaning as which other term used in the text's title?
Answer
Bravery
Question
What is the difference between 'defence' and 'defense' according to the text?
Answer
'Defence' is preferred in British English, while 'defense' is American English.
Question
Verb distinction: What is the verb form of the noun 'advice'?
Answer
Advise
Question
Verb distinction: What is the noun form of the verb 'practise'?
Answer
Practice
Question
Verb distinction: What is the verb form of the noun 'device'?
Answer
Devise
Question
Verb distinction: What is the noun form of the verb 'counsel'?
Answer
Council
Question
Under Subject-Verb Agreement, should 'Mathematics' be followed by 'is' or 'are'?
Answer
Is
Question
Under Subject-Verb Agreement, should 'The members of the jury' be followed by 'has' or 'have'?
Answer
Have
Question
Under Subject-Verb Agreement, should 'One of the players' be followed by 'was' or 'were'?
Answer
Was
Question
Which verb prefix meaning 'to seize' or 'to flood' is used in terms like 'overrun' and 'overwhelm'?
Answer
Over-
Question
What does it mean to 'deliver a blow' to an enemy's plan?
Answer
To cause a significant setback or negative impact.
Question
What was Major Somnath Sharma’s primary reason for refusing to stay behind despite his injury?
Answer
He believed he knew his men better than anyone and refused to let them go into action without him.
Question
Which village was situated at a higher altitude than the Srinagar airfield, making its control critical?
Answer
Badgam
Question
Major Somnath Sharma was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for bravery during which specific conflict?
Answer
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
Question
To 'overrun' an area means to do what?
Answer
To invade or occupy it in large numbers.
Question
To 'overthrow' a government means to do what?
Answer
To take and seize control from the existing authority.
Question
To 'overwhelm' someone means to do what?
Answer
To flood or overpower them, often emotionally or by superior force.
Question
In the sentence 'A battalion of soldiers _____ (stand/stands) at attention', which is the correct verb?
Answer
Stands
Question
In the context of the Param Vir Chakra, what does the 'Vajra' symbolise?
Answer
A powerful mythical weapon (associated with Sage Dadhichi's sacrifice).
Question
Major Somnath Sharma's sacrifice is celebrated as part of which national initiative mentioned in the text?
Answer
Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav
Question
What time were Major Somnath Sharma's men expected to return from their patrol on 03 November 1947?
Answer
2:00 p.m.
Question
Why did Major Somnath Sharma request air strikes instead of just engaging with ground troops?
Answer
His company was vastly outnumbered (7 to 1) and facing devastating fire.