Rich tributes paid to 21 Sikh soldiers of Saragarhi battle

‘Sava Lakh se ek Laraun’ was effectively put to use by 21 bravehearts of the Sikh Regiment, who fought the Saragarhi battle, the anniversary of which was observed here on Friday.

Rich tributes were paid to the bravehearts at Gurdwara Saragarhi, which is situated in the vicinity of the Golden Temple. The 128th anniversary of the epic Battle of Saragarhi, wherein Sikh soldiers made their last stand against thousands of Pathans in the North West Frontier Province, was observed by paying tributes in a gurmat ceremony organised by the SGPC at the gurdwara here.

Commemorating the occasion, the family members of the martyrs of the Saragarhi battle, including Amrik Singh, Sarbjit Singh, Ranjit Singh and Ajmer Singh from the families of the martyrs, were present. There were honoured by ‘siropas’ by additional manager Bikramjit Singh Jhangi and other SGPC employees.

Giani Balwinder Singh narrated the story of valour, grit and sacrifices of the 21 soldiers, who laid down their lives while fighting 10,000 Afghan tribals on September 12, 1897, on the Afghanistan border. “The Saragarhi battle is often quoted as an example in the history of warfare in the world. The martyrs of this war were the best example of Sikh determination and dedication, a lesson in how a soldier must put on a fight in the face of adversity,” he said.

On this occasion, the jatha of ‘hazuri ragi’ Bhai Saroop Singh of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib performed gurbani kirtan and granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib Giani Balwinder Singh recited the ‘katha’.

SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami paid tributes to the martyrs of the Saragarhi battle and said that this battle was a shining example of bravery of Sikh soldiers. He said that the martyrs of the Saragarhi battle were Sikh soldiers dedicated and determined, and the story of these heroes has spread all over the world. He said that the Sikh community would always be proud of the bravery of these Sikh soldiers.

The battle was fought before the Tirah campaign on September 12, 1897, between Sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army and Pashtun Orakzai tribesmen in the North-West Frontier Province, now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan.

In this battle, the British Indian contingent comprised 21 Sikhs of the 36 Sikhs (now the 4 Battalion of the Sikh Regiment), who were stationed at an Army post attacked by around 10,000 Afghans. The Sikhs, led by Havildar Ishar Singh, chose to fight to death.