Remembering Som Nath Sharma: The Heroic First Param Vir Chakra Recipient in Kashmir’s 1947 Crisis

In the annals of Indian military history, the name Som Nath Sharma stands out as a symbol of bravery and sacrifice. As the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest wartime gallantry award, Sharma played a pivotal role during the tumultuous events in Kashmir in 1947. The backdrop of his bravery lies in the sudden geopolitical shift that took place as India gained independence from British colonial rule, leading to an urgent military intervention in the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.

On October 27, 1947, the Indian Army and Air Force were quick to mobilize in response to the crisis in Kashmir, a region that was soon to become a flashpoint in Indo-Pak relations. The first aircraft to take flight was a Dakota DC-3, carrying a company of gallant Sikh soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Dewan Ranjit Rai. Taking off from Palam Air Base in Gurgaon, these troops embarked on a mission to defend Srinagar, which was under threat from tribal incursions backed by Pakistan.

In this historical moment, it was the Sikh soldiers who took the lead—an ironic twist given that the territory of Jammu and Kashmir had been created after the British defeated the Sikh Empire in the Anglo-Sikh Wars. The same British forces, who had forcibly seized the vast territory and gifted the famed Koh-i-Noor diamond to Queen Victoria, had sold Kashmir to Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu. Thus, a century later, it was these very Sikh soldiers who were now tasked with safeguarding that same land, demonstrating a profound reversal of fortunes.

The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. The Royal Indian Air Force operated three Dakota aircraft that day, which marked a critical juncture in the military response to the crisis facing Jammu and Kashmir. The troops, despite being under the command of a British officer, were determined to fulfill their duty and protect the state, which had historical ties to their heritage.

Som Nath Sharma’s valor during these operations would later become legendary. He demonstrated exceptional courage in fierce combat, leading his men with unwavering resolve. His actions not only saved the day but also solidified his legacy as a true hero who exemplified the spirit of sacrifice and commitment to the nation. His story serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by countless soldiers in the face of adversity and the historical complexities surrounding the Kashmir conflict.

Source: scroll.in