When 21 man took stand against an army of 10,000: A Story of Bravery and Sacrifice

 On September 12, 1897, a small group of 21 Sikh soldiers stationed at an outpost called Saragarhi in the North-West Frontier Province of British India found themselves facing an overwhelming force of around 10,000 Pashtun tribesmen. Despite being vastly outnumbered, the Sikh soldiers fought with great courage and determination, using their rifles and bayonets to hold off the enemy for several hours. Their heroic stand allowed the forts of Lockhart and Gulistan to prepare for the enemy assault, and they were ultimately able to repel the Pashtun tribesmen. The Battle of Saragarhi is remembered as a symbol of the bravery, courage, and self-sacrifice of the Sikh soldiers who fought for the British Indian Army.

Background to the Battle

The North-West Frontier Province of British India (now part of Pakistan) was a hotbed of tribal unrest in the late 19th century. The British had established a network of forts and outposts in the region to maintain control over the local population and to prevent incursions by the Pashtun tribesmen who lived in the surrounding hills.
One such outpost was Saragarhi, which was situated between the forts of Lockhart and Gulistan on the Samana Ridge. The outpost was intended to be a communication link between the two forts and to provide early warning of any approaching enemy forces.
The Sikh soldiers who were stationed at Saragarhi were part of the 36th Sikhs, a regiment of the British Indian Army that was recruited from the Sikh community in Punjab. The regiment was known for its bravery and loyalty, and its soldiers had a reputation for being among the finest soldiers in the British Indian Army.

The Battle of Saragarhi

On the morning of September 12, 1897, a large force of around 10,000 Pashtun tribesmen attacked the Saragarhi outpost. The Sikh soldiers, who were only armed with rifles and bayonets, were vastly outnumbered, but they refused to back down.

The Sikh soldiers took up defensive positions around the outpost and began firing at the approaching enemy forces. They used their rifles and bayonets to hold off the enemy for several hours, inflicting heavy casualties on the Pashtun tribesmen.

Despite being vastly outnumbered, the Sikh soldiers fought with great courage and determination. They knew that they were facing certain death, but they refused to give up or surrender. They were determined to defend their post and their comrades at all costs.

As the battle continued, the Pashtun tribesmen tried to storm the outpost in large numbers. The Sikh soldiers held their ground and inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers. However, as the battle wore on, the Sikh soldiers began to run out of ammunition, and they were eventually overwhelmed by the enemy.

All 21 Sikh soldiers were killed in the battle, but their heroic stand allowed the forts of Lockhart and Gulistan to prepare for the enemy assault, and they were ultimately able to repel the Pashtun tribesmen.

Aftermath of the Battle

The Battle of Saragarhi was a significant event in the history of the British Indian Army. The courage and determination of the Sikh soldiers who fought in the battle inspired their comrades and earned them the respect and admiration of their enemies.

The British government recognized the bravery of the Sikh soldiers who fought in the battle and awarded them the Indian Order of Merit, which was the highest military award for Indian soldiers at the time. The Sikh soldiers who fought in the battle were also remembered in songs, poems, and stories, and their bravery became a source of inspiration for generations of soldiers.

The Battle of Saragarhi also had a significant impact on the Pashtun tribesmen who had attacked the outpost. They were impressed by the courage and determination of the Sikh soldiers, and many of them began to view the British Indian Army in a more positive light. Some even joined the army as soldiers.

The Battle of Saragarhi also had a lasting impact on the Sikh community in India. The bravery and sacrifice of the Sikh soldiers who fought in the battle became a source of pride and inspiration for the community, and the battle became a symbol of the Sikh martial spirit and devotion to duty.

Today, the Battle of Saragarhi is remembered as one of the most significant battles in the history of the British Indian Army. The bravery and self-sacrifice of the Sikh soldiers who fought in the battle continue to inspire people around the world, and the story of their heroic stand at Saragarhi serves as a reminder of the power of courage, determination, and selflessness.

Saragarhi Memorial Gurdwara, built in 1904

The Battle of Saragarhi is also commemorated in several ways. A memorial has been built at the site of the battle, and the anniversary of the battle is celebrated every year by the Sikh community in India and around the world. The battle has also been the subject of several books, films, and documentaries.

Conclusion

The Battle of Saragarhi is a powerful reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of the Sikh soldiers who fought for the British Indian Army in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The battle is a testament to the courage, determination, and selflessness of these soldiers, who were willing to lay down their lives for their comrades and for their country.

The story of the Battle of Saragarhi has inspired people around the world, and it continues to be a source of inspiration and pride for the Sikh community in India and around the world. The bravery and self-sacrifice of the Sikh soldiers who fought in the battle serve as a reminder of the power of courage, determination, and selflessness in the face of adversity, and their legacy continues to live on today.