Famous last stand commemorated by Sikh soldiers

Sikh soldiers in the British Army marked one of the bravest last stands in military history last month. A civic event, with a strong military component, was held in Wednesfield, Wolverhampton on Sunday 8 September, commemorating 127 years since the Battle of Saragarhi.

Organised by a local Sikh place of worship, Guru Nanak Gurdwara, the annual Saragarhi Day event is commemorated by Sikhs across the UK and the world.

In Wolverhampton, Sikhs make up 12% of the city’s 250,000 population.

The Defence Sikh Network was proud to provide 28 serving Sikh personnel from the Armed Forces who formed a marching parade with the British Army Band Tidworth providing musical support.

The Sikh National Anthem, Deh Shiva Bar, was sung followed by a recitation, carried out by a Ministry of Defence Sikh chaplain, of the Ardas, a powerful prayer that connects Sikhs with God and with each other.

Wreaths were then laid by Air Vice-Marshal Ranald Munro, Defence Sikh Champion and Brigadier John Kendall, Deputy Command (Reserves) 3 (UK) Division, at a three-metre high bronze statue of Havildar Ishar Singh, the senior officer in charge of the Sikh soldiers who fought to the very end.

After speeches by local dignitaries, including the City of Wolverhampton Mayor, a final wreath was laid by the Defence Sikh Network and the Last Post was played.

Sikhs have a rich and longstanding tradition of service in the British Army. The bravery and professionalism of the Sikhs at Saraghari, continue to inspire many Sikhs who serve today

Staff Sergeant Ranjit Singh, Royal Signals, Defence Sikh Network Army Lead

Staff Sergeant Ranjit Singh, Royal Signals, Defence Sikh Network Army lead said,

“Sikhs have a rich and longstanding tradition of service in the British Army. The bravery and professionalism of the Sikhs at Saraghari, continue to inspire many Sikhs who serve today.

This epic last stand exemplifies the Sikh concept of a Saint-Soldier. By remembering their story, we are ensuring their heroism is not forgotten and hoping that it inspires more Sikhs to connect with their martial history and the British Army.” 

On 12 September 1897, 21 Sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army, defended a signal station on the Northwest Frontier of modern Pakistan against insurmountable odds.

Saragarhi was a hilltop post on the border of modern Pakistan and Afghanistan. Strategically important, it lay between two British forts which kept marauding Afghan tribesmen out of British India.

On the morning of that fateful day, Saragarhi was surrounded by around 10,000 Afghans, also known as Pathans. The station signalled one of the forts to ask for assistance and found that the forts were already under attack and could not help the beleaguered Sikh soldiers.

The defenders of Saragarhi decided to fight and die to protect the soldiers of their regiment in the forts. After fighting off several attacks, the Sikh soldiers fell back and were gradually overwhelmed.

None of the defenders remained alive but the 21 Sikhs had accounted for around 1,400 Afghans. The last Sikh soldier was said to have killed over 40 tribesmen in the defence, dying with the Sikh war cry on his lips.

The soldiers helped save the two forts and eventually forced the Afghans back through the Khyber Pass.

For their actions, the defenders of Saragarhi were awarded the Indian Order of Merit, the highest award available to soldiers of the British Indian Empire.