The Saragarhi Memorial in Wednesfield, Wolverhampton. (Photo – Wikimedia Commons)

Big Salute to the Bravest of the Brave 21 Sikh soldiers from 36 Sikh Regiment (Now 4 Sikh) who made their supreme sacrifice (last man last bullet ) fighting against 10,000 Afghans on 12 Sep 1897 .. at Saragarhi Fort .

September 12 marks the 127th anniversary of the Battle of Saragarhi, regarded today as one of the finest last stands in global military history.

On this day in 1897, 21 soldiers were pitted against over 10000 Afridi and Orakzai tribal militants and managed to hold down the fort for seven hours. Though heavily outnumbered, the soldiers of 36th Sikhs (now 4 Sikh) regiment, led by Havildar Ishar Singh, fought till their last breath, killing 200 militants and injuring 600. 

In his book, “The 36th Sikhs in the Tirah Campaign 1897-98 – Saragarhi and the Defence of the Samana Forts”, former Punjab Chief Minister and military historian Capt Amarinder Singh writes that at the very outset of the battle, these soldiers knew they were looking at certain death but they did not flinch. “They could have surrendered, yet they didn’t and displayed unparalleled bravery.”

What was Saragarhi, and why was it important?

Saragarhi was the communication tower between Fort Lockhart and Fort Gulistan. The two forts in the rugged North West Frontier Province (NWFP), now in Pakistan. were built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh but renamed by the British. Though Saragarhi was usually manned by a platoon of 40 soldiers, on that fateful day, it was being held by only 21 soldiers from the 36th Sikh (now 4 Sikh) and a non-combatant called Daad, a Pashtun who did odd jobs for the troops.