New Delhi: India commemorates 126th anniversary of the Battle of Saragarhi on September 12, considered as one of the finest last stands in the military history of the world.
What is the Battle of Saragarhi?
In 1897, a total of 21 Sikh soldiers were pitted against over 10,000 Pathans in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), which was then a part of British India and now Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. All 21 soldiers of 36 Sikh Regiment (now 4 Sikh) fought till their last breath against the Afghan hordes with unprecedented courage and unparalleled valour and went down as superheroes.
They preferred fight over surrendering. Havildar Ishar Singh led the fight and fought till their last breath, killing 200 tribals and injuring 600.
As per the historical excerpts, soldiers of Sikh Regiment made last stand against Pathans while holding a small fortress atop Samana ridge.
Despite overwhelming odds, the troops faced repeated enemy attacks on the fortress. Later, the Pathans set fire to the bushes and shrubs surrounding the post and under the cover of smoke entered into the premise which led to fierce hand-to-hand combat.
#सारागढ़ी
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) September 12, 2023
सन् 1897 में आज के दिन, 36 सिख (अब 4 सिख) के 21 बहादुर सैनिकों ने 10,000 से ज्यादा दुश्मनों के खिलाफ अदम्य #वीरता से लड़ते हुए अपने प्राणों की आहुति दी I असीम #शौर्य व #बलिदान के लिए सभी 21 सैनिकों को मरणोपरांत इंडियन ऑर्डर ऑफ मेरिट से सम्मानित किया गया I… pic.twitter.com/63nboARtQj
After hearing about the battle, the British Parliament stood in unison to give an ovation to the defenders of Saragarhi.
Queen Victoria was also informed about the battle and the heroic deeds of these men. The account was received all over the world with awe and admiration.
These troops were conferred the Indian Order of Merit (posthumously) which was then the highest gallantry awards applicable to Indian troops and considered equivalent to the Victoria Cross.
The battle is included in school curriculum in Punjab, with Haryana also considering the same.
The Sikh Regiment carries the Battle Honour Saraghari 1897 and Saragarhi Day is observed in India every year.
In remembrance of these 21 warriors, the British built two gurdwaras, one in Amritsar near the Golden Temple and another in Ferozepur Cantonment, which was in the district where these men hailed from.
