The Exemplary Role of Sikh Soldiers Praised by British Army Brigadier
Synopsis: “Sikhs have sacrificed their lives for the protection of the oppressed,” said the speaker British Army Brigadier Celia Jane Harvey, at a seminar ‘epic battle of Saragarhi’ at Khalsa College Public School, commending the Sikhs community for their bravery and sacrifice during the war.
What is the Epic Battle of Saragarhi?
The Battle of Saragarhi is one of the world's finest last stands in military history. Twenty-one troops fought against over 8,000 Afridi and Orakzai tribals and held the fort for seven hours. Despite being outnumbered, the men of the 36th Sikhs, commanded by Havildar Ishar Singh, fought till the end, killing 200 tribals and injuring 600. This battle was fought on September 12, 1897.
Why was Saragarhi Post Significant?
Saragarhi was a little village located in the Kohat district. It also served as the signalling post between Fort Gulistan and Fort Lockhart in North West Frontier Province.
Without Saragarhi's post, keeping the visual line in sight would have been challenging since the two forts had non-favourable geographical attributes. This post also serves as the strategic defence of the region to endure the two forts’ survival.
The Gulistan and Lockhart forts were the midway heliograph communication between the British families, troops, and officers stationed in the Sulaiman Range’s rugged terrain.
To sum it up, the Saragarhi post is one of the defences from possible attacks on Fort Gulistan and Fort Lockhart.
Why the Battle of Saragarhi Became the History’s Greatest Last Stand?
Forty troops usually guarded the Saragarhi post, but unfortunately, on that day of battle, there were only 21 soldiers and a non-combatant. The Saragarhi sentry sighted the large army of the Pathan tribe that aimed to cut off the communication lines between the two forts.
Despite being outnumbered in soldiers and weapon supplies, Sikh soldiers showed bravery and sacrificed their lives to save people’s lives against the tribes.
The Bravery of 21 Sikh Soldier Never Went Unnoticed
The most remarkable thing about the Sikh soldiers was their sacrifices. They managed to hold back 10,000 men in a day until the reinforcement arrived. Their bravery deserved a standing ovation, and the British Parliament in London commemorated their contributions to the Battle of Saragarhi by putting their names on a commemorative tablet.
Awards Were Given to the Entire Unit
After the battle, the 21 soldiers received a prestigious Indian Order of Merit Class III award right after Col. Haughton narrated the agonising story of the British Indian Army battle. It was the first time in history that each member of a single unit won gallantry awards in just one battle!
The Seminar Entitled ‘Epic Battle of Saragarhi’
On Wednesday at Amritsar, British Army Brigadier Celia Jane Harvey mentioned the significance of the Sikh soldiers during World War I and II in the freedom of European countries and praised the brave soldiers from Punjab for their exemplary roles.
At a seminar called ‘epic battle of Saragarhi’ at Khalsa College Public School here, Harvey commended the Sikhs community for their bravery and sacrifice during the war. As the head of the British Army delegation, Harvey has spoken on the soldiers’ behalf.
During the speech, Harvey mentioned a historic event in world history, the Saragarhi battle, on how Sikhs soldiers died and risked their lives to protect vulnerable individuals and other religions.
Another delegate, Colonel Johan Kendall, cited the battle of 21 brave Sikh soldiers who did not give up and fought against the 10,000 Afghan tribal men until the end.
Aside from the exemplary role of the Sikh military, the Punjabi community living abroad made a significant impact on the growing affluence of different countries, like the US, the UK, and Canada.
The president of the Saragarhi Foundation, Kuldeep Singh Kahlon, gave the detailed Saragarhi battle accounts earlier that day.
Among the wars with Pakistan, the role of Sikhs Soldiers was novel, leaving a footprint on world history.
Photo sources:
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