Battle of Saragarhi – 21 Sikh Soldiers vs 10,000 Men

Background

In the late 19th century, the British centered a number of stations along the Hindu Kush range. These fortifications were initially built by the great Sikh emperor Maharaja Ranjit Singh during his Western expedition, in which the Sikhs and Afghans battled in the Battle of Jamrud in 1837, establishing the Sikh Empire's western frontier. Following the decline of the Sikh empire, the British took over these positions for the same reason. The British Indian Army attempted to manage the volatile northwest boundary. Despite their attempts, tribal Pashtuns frequently attacked British soldiers, resulting in skirmishes and confrontations with the tribes. Nonetheless, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, also known as the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), was a key place for the Indian Army to hone its tactics and expertise.

Afghans started a revolt through the NWFP to channel tribal rage against the British. The 36th Sikh Regiment was charged with guarding the defensive structures of Forts Gulistan and Lockhart, which were near one another. The Orakzai and Afridi tribes had launched attacks on Fort Gulistan during the last two weeks, but both had been repulsed. Saragarhi was established as a communication station utilizing heliographic signaling, a communication technology that involves reflecting sunlight using a mirror and transferring it through hidden signals. Because Fort Lockhart and Fort Gulistan were not in a visual line of sight due to topographical constraints, Saragarhi was critical to preserving the survival of the forts and the safety of the area. 

The Battle

On September 12, 1987, the 21 Sikh troops awoke and began their day by tying their turbans, doing daily meditation and prayers, and carrying out their daily responsibilities. However, another revolt began to lay siege to Fort Lockhart and Saragarhi, seeking to gain possession of the post. One of the lookouts yelled as the large bulk approached the horizon. 19-year-old Gurmukh Singh hurried to the signaling tower to operate the heliograph, which transmitted signals about the situation to Fort Lockhart. He requested that aid be provided as around 10,000 tribesmen marched towards them. The response he received was bleak, stating that if they dispatched relief, it would reach the post too late, and they could not leave their fort undefended.

The defenders, operated by NWFP veteran Havildar Ishar Singh, opted to hold their base, which consisted of a tiny block house with loop-holed walls and a signaling tower. Ishar Singh instructed his soldiers to remain and fight. Despite the tense atmosphere created by the awareness that death is likely and being outnumbered by thousands of tribesmen, the Sikh soldiers refused to surrender. Gurmukh Singh returned to his signaling tower and remained there, documenting every occurrence that took place to Lieutenant Colonel Haughton, the commanding the 36th Sikh Regiment, who ordered that the events be recorded.

The Sikhs began unloading ammunition at the dense multitude, which was coming down on them and storming the outer wall. A bullet from one of the guns struck Sepoy Bhagwan Singh, who died on the scene. Naik Lal Singh, although severely hurt, managed to move Bhagwan's body to the inner wall with the assistance of another sepoy. However, Lal Singh would eventually fall due to his injuries.

The tribal chiefs had been arguing with the surviving Sikhs to surrender, promising them protection, and presenting rewards of riches and rank if they simply vacated their positions. But no man acknowledged the proposal because they were determined to continue fighting until the end.

As the afternoon progressed, the tribesmen devised another strategy: they set fire to the area surrounding the post, allowing them to breach the wall. Havildar Ishar Singh, who had been gravely injured, shouts a piercing battle cry and surges forward with sword and pistol in hand, heroically combating the attacker before being overtaken by his severe injuries. Knowing the end is close, the few remaining Sikhs rush to confront the charging attackers. One by one, the tribesmen kill the Sikh soldiers in return for more of their dead.

There remained only one Sikh defender: Sepoy Gurmukh Singh in his signaling tower. He sent one last message, requesting permission to take up his rifle. When Lieutenant Colonel Haughton approved, Gurmukh Singh packed up his heliographic equipment and grabbed his gun as the tribesmen burst through the door. The Colonel looks in astonishment via his telescope as the young detachment signaler kills man after man, a total of 20 tribesmen. The Colonel watched him in awe through his telescope as the young detachment signaler took down 20 tribesmen one after one.

Smoke began to rise as instead of confronting Gurmukh Singh, the tribesmen set fire to the tower. Gurmukh Singh sat down, content with his fate, and screamed the Sikh battle cry, “Bole So Nihaal, Sat Sri Akal (Victory belongs to the ones who chant the divine name of God with pure heart).” He was the last to fall in Saragarhi.

The signal post had been seized, but the valiancy of the 21 Sikh soldiers allowed forces from neighboring forts to attack the rebellious tribesmen. Finally, the British reclaimed the signaling post near the highland village of Saragarhi.

Their Legacy

The British Parliament gave the Saragarhi soldiers a standing ovation, and Queen Victoria commended their heroic deeds   The Battle of Saragarhi was the first instance in British military history where every soldier who participated in a combat operation received the Gallantry award, the highest military honor. They also received the Indian Order of Merit Class III. Saragarhi Day is commemorated by the Indian Army's Sikh Regiment on September 12th each year.