In military history, some battles highlight soldiers exceptional courage and dedication. The Battle of Saragarhi is a standout example of bravery and sacrifice. Located in the Kohat district, now in Pakistan, Saragarhi was a village where 21 Sikh soldiers faced a large Afghan army in a historic battle.
The Prelude: A Troubled Frontier
In the late 19th century, the British Indian Army worked to control the unstable northwest frontier, now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Despite their efforts, tribal Pashtuns regularly attacked British forces. The British improved a network of forts, originally built by Ranjit Singh and later expanded, but their control was incomplete, leading to frequent skirmishes and conflicts with the tribes. Nevertheless, the NWFP was a crucial area for the Indian Army to develop its tactics and skills.
Fort Lockhart and Fort Gulistan, located close to each other, were part of this defensive network. Saragarhi was set up as a communication post using heliographic signaling, sending Morse code via sunlight reflections. It was fortified to protect the signaling team stationed there.
In 1897, Afghans incited an uprising in the NWFP to direct tribal anger against the British. Mullahs, Muslim religious leaders, played a key role in this unrest. The 36th Sikh regiment was tasked with defending Fort Gulistan and Fort Lockhart. On September 3rd and 9th, attacks were made on Fort Gulistan by the Orakzai and Afridi tribes, but both assaults were repelled. A relief force was sent from the fort to assist in the defense.
Battle
The relief column from Fort Lockhart came to support the signaling team at Saragarhi, increasing their numbers to one NCO and twenty soldiers. On September 12, 1897, a large group of tribesmen began a siege on Fort Lockhart and Saragarhi, trying to take control of Saragarhi and cut it off from Fort Lockhart. Lieutenant Colonel Haughton, commanding the 36th Sikh Regiment, used a heliograph to keep in touch with Saragarhi. Led by the determined Havildar Ishar Singh, the defenders at Saragarhi chose to protect their post and not surrender, despite knowing they were outnumbered by thousands of tribesmen.
From Fort Lockhart, troops could see at least 14 tribal flags, showing the large number of tribes and their strength (estimated at 10,000 to 12,000). Early in the morning, the tribesmen attacked Saragarhi repeatedly. The Sikh defenders bravely fought off many attacks, refusing to surrender despite the tribesmen’s offers. The defenders held their ground against continuous attacks, but attempts to send a relief column from Fort Lockhart were blocked by the tribesmen.
During the battle, the enemy made two serious attempts to break through the post’s gate. The defenders successfully repelled both attacks, though their numbers and ammunition were dwindling. Sepoy Gurmukh Singh continued to report the battle’s progress from the signal tower. As the battle continued, the enemy set fire to the area around the post, using the smoke to approach and breach the wall. This breach was seen from Fort Lockhart, which informed Saragarhi.
Some defenders near the gate were sent to handle the breach, which weakened their defense of the gate. The enemy took advantage and rushed both the gate and the breach, leading to fierce hand-to-hand fighting. Despite severe injuries, one of Havildar Singh’s men defended the guardroom and shot four enemy fighters. Sepoy Gurmukh Singh kept transmitting updates until he was allowed to join the fight. He took his rifle, fought fiercely, and took down 20 enemies before he fell.
As the tribesmen set fire to the post and the garrison, low on ammunition, was either dead or injured, the relief column arrived the next morning. The battlefield showed the immense bravery and sacrifice of the defenders. The tribesmen admitted to at least 600-1,400 dead, with many more wounded. The British Parliament honored the Saragarhi defenders with a standing ovation, and Queen Victoria acknowledged their bravery. All 21 soldiers were posthumously awarded the Indian Order of Merit Class III, one of the highest honors for Indian troops at the time, now equivalent to the Vir Chakra. The families of the heroes received land and money. This battle remains a significant event in Indian military history for its remarkable display of courage.
The Aftermath of the Saragarhi Battle
The intense battle at Saragarhi ended with severe consequences for both sides. After breaching Saragarhi, the Afghan attackers shifted their focus to Fort Gulistan. The determined defense by the Sikh soldiers bought crucial time, allowing British reinforcements to strengthen their position at Fort Gulistan between September 13 and 14. This timely reinforcement prevented the Afghans from taking the fort and halted their advance.
The Afghan forces reported heavy losses due to the fierce resistance at Saragarhi, with around 180 of their men killed and many more wounded. The aftermath at Saragarhi was grim; the relief party found around 600 bodies, highlighting the scale and brutality of the battle. This scene emphasized the extraordinary sacrifice and bravery of the Sikh defenders who fought to the end.
In the following days, the British used intense artillery bombardment to retake control of Saragarhi, causing additional casualties among the Afghan forces. This action was crucial in maintaining British control over the region and underscored Saragarhi's strategic importance. The battle showcased the courage and skill of the Sikh soldiers and had significant military and symbolic effects, reinforcing their legacy as symbols of bravery and sacrifice in military history.
Legacy
The Battle of Saragarhi has achieved iconic status within Eastern military civilization, as well as in the annals of British Empire military history and Sikh history. To this day, the modern Sikh Regiment commemorates the battle on September 12th as their Regimental Battle Honours Day. In remembrance of the brave men, two Saragarhi Gurudwaras were constructed: one near the main entrance of the Golden Temple in Amritsar and another in Ferozepur Cantonment, the district from which most of the men hailed.
During the 1999 Kargil Conflict, the Sikh Regiment actively engaged in combat against Pakistan. Two battalions of the Sikh regiment, 8 Sikh and 14 Sikh, participated in intense and bloody fighting amidst the treacherous crags and peaks of the Kargil mountains. 8 Sikh successfully captured Tiger Hill, while 14 Sikh valiantly fought at ChorbatLa. Once again, the Sikhs found themselves significantly outnumbered. Prior to the battle, officers and soldiers of the Sikh regiment invoked the memory of Saragarhi and took an oath to uphold the traditions of the Sikh martial heritage.
Commemoration of the Battle
In recognition of the remarkable heroism displayed by the Sikh soldiers, the British government erected a commemorative tablet to honor their memory. The inscription on the tablet serves as a record of the gallantry exhibited by the 21 non-commissioned officers and men of the 36 Sikh Regiment of the Bengal Infantry who died defending the fort of Saragarhi on September 12, 1897. The tablet pays tribute to their firm loyalty and devotion to their sovereign, The Queen Empress of India, and their unflinching courage on the battlefield, upholding the esteemed reputation of the Sikhs.
The tablet reads;
"The Government of India have caused this tablet to be erected to the memory of the twenty one non-commissioned officers and men of the 36 Sikh Regiment of the Bengal Infantry whose names are engraved below as a perpetual record of the heroism shown by these gallant soldiers who died at their posts in the defence of the fort of Saragarhi, on the 12 September 1897, fighting against overwhelming numbers, thus proving their loyalty and devotion to their sovereign, the Queen Empress of India, and gloriously maintaining the reputation of the Sikhs for unflinching courage on the field of battle."
165 Havildar Ishar Singh
332 Naik Lal Singh
834 Sepoy Narayan Singh
546 Lance Naik Chanda Singh
814 Sepoy Gurmukh Singh
1321 Sepoy Sundar Singh
871 Sepoy Jivan Singh
287 Sepoy Ram Singh
1733 Sepoy Gurmukh Singh
492 Sepoy Uttar Singh
163 Sepoy Ram Singh
182 Sepoy Sahib Singh
1257 Sepoy Bhagwan Singh
359 Sepoy Hira Singh
1265 Sepoy Bhagwan Singh
687 Sepoy Daya Singh
1556 Sepoy Buta Singh
760 Sepoy Jivan Singh
1651 Sepoy Jivan Singh
791 Sepoy Bhola Singh
1221 Sepoy Nand Singh
The Indian Order of Merit
The 21 Sikh non-commissioned officers and soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Battle of Saragarhi hailed from the Majha region of Punjab. In recognition of their extraordinary bravery, they were posthumously awarded the Indian Order of Merit, the highest gallantry award bestowed upon Indian soldiers at that time.
This esteemed recognition symbolized their exceptional bravery and commitment to their duty. It is important to note that during this period, the Victoria Cross served as the equivalent gallantry award for soldiers from the British Empire.
Conclusion
The aftermath of the Battle of Saragarhi highlighted the incredible bravery of the Sikh soldiers who defended their post against overwhelming odds. Their steadfast resistance and the significant losses suffered by the Afghan forces were commemorated by the British government with a memorial tablet. The prestigious Indian Order of Merit was awarded to the defenders, recognizing their exceptional gallantry and securing their legacy as symbols of courage and devotion. The battle remains an iconic event, celebrating the selflessness and sacrifice of those who fought to uphold their values.
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