Battle of Saragarhi
Saragarhi, Samana Ridge, Tirah, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
What happened
Twenty-one Sikh soldiers of the 36th Sikhs, led by Havildar Ishar Singh, defended a small post against a large force of Afridi and Orakzai tribesmen. Saragarhi was a small signalling post between two forts that could not see each other, passing messages with a heliograph, a mirror that flashed sunlight. When thousands of tribesmen attacked, the signaller reported it to Fort Lockhart, but no help could reach them in time. The 21 soldiers chose to stay at their post, and all of them fell.
Why it matters
Why it matters: All 21 soldiers were given the Indian Order of Merit, then the highest award for bravery an Indian soldier could receive. The battle is remembered as one of the great last stands in military history.
What came next
British forces retook the post two days later. The British built two gurdwaras (Sikh temples) in memory of the soldiers, in Amritsar and Firozpur.
Did you know?
The Sikh Regiment of the Indian Army marks 12 September each year as Saragarhi Day.
Timeline
- 1887The 36th Sikhs regiment is raised.
- 12 September 1897The 21 defenders hold Saragarhi.
- 14 September 1897British forces retake the post.
- 2000Punjab schools begin teaching the battle.