300...How About 21?

Against All Odds

The Battle of Saragarhi is the incredible story of 21 Sikh men of the 36th Sikh Regiment who gave up their lives in devotion to their duty. This battle, like many others fought by the Sikhs, highlights the heroic action by a small detachment of Sikh soldiers against incredible odds. This battle took place on 12 September 1897 in the Tirah region of North-West Frontier Province. In keeping with the tradition of the Sikh Army, they fought to the death rather than surrender.

The Afghans later stated that they had lost about 180 soldiers and many more were wounded during the engagement against the 21 Sikh soldiers, but some 600 bodies are said to have been seen around the ruined post when the relief party finally arrived.

When the gallantry of Saragarhi was recounted to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the recitation drew a standing ovation from all the members of parliament.

“The British, as well as the Indians, are proud of the 36th Sikh Regiments. It is no exaggeration to record that the armies which possess the valiant Sikhs cannot face defeat in war” - Parliament of the United Kingdom.

To commemorate the men the British built two Saragarhi Gurudwaras: one in Amritsar close to the main entrance of the Golden Temple, and another in Ferozepur Cantonment, which was the district that most of the men hailed from. The battle of Saragarhi has frequently been compared to the Battle of Thermopylae (made popular by the film 300), where a small Greek force faced a large Persian
army of Xerxes in 480 BC.

The ratio of the defending to the attacking force at Saragarhi was 1:476 (21 vs. 10,000)

The Battle at Saragarhi is one of eight stories of collective bravery published by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). It has been mentioned as one of the five most significant events of its kind in the world.

“You are never disappointed when you are with the Sikhs. Those 21 soldiers all fought to the death. That bravery should be within all of us. Those soldiers were lauded in Britain and their pride went throughout the Indian Army. Inside every Sikh should be this pride and courage. The important thing is that you must not get too big-headed it is important to be humble in victory and to pay respect to the other side.” - Field Marshal William Joseph Slim, 1st Viscount Slim.

Details of the Battle of Saraghari are considered accurate, due to Gurmukh Singh signaling events to Colonel Haughton of the British army at Fort Lockhart as they occurred.

• Around 9.00am, around 10,000 Afghans reach the signaling post at Saragarhi.
• Sardar Gurmukh Singh signals to Col. Haughton, situated in Fort Lockhart, that they are under attack.
• Colonel Haughton states he cannot send immediate help to Saragarhi.
• The Afghans ask the Sikhs to surrender, but the soldiers decide to fight to the last to prevent the enemy reaching the forts.
  Bhagwan Singh becomes the first Sikh casualty and Lal Singh is seriously wounded.
• Soldiers Lal Singh and Jiwa Singh carry the dead body of Bhagwan Singh back to the inner layer of the post.
• The enemy breach the outer wall.
• The leaders of the Afghan forces again make promises to the soldiers to entice them to surrender.
• Two determined attempts are made to rush the open gate, but are unsuccessful.
• The Afghans finally break into the complex and some of the fiercest hand-to-hand fighting occurs.
• In an act of outstanding bravery, Ishar Singh orders his men to fall back into the inner layer, whilst he remains to fight. The inner layer is breached and all but one of the defending soldiers are killed, along with many of the Pashtuns.
• Gurmukh Singh sends his last signal to Col. Haughton saying all the men are dead and asks for permission to stop signaling as he would like to continue the fight.
• Col. Haighton give his permission and sends his thanks to Gurmukh Singh.
• Gurmukh Singh, who communicated the battle with Col. Haughton, was the last Sikh defender. He killed 20 Afghans as they tried to rush into the signaling room of the fort. The Pashtuns had to set fire to the post to kill him. As he was dying he yelled repeatedly the regimental battle-cry “Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal (He who cries God is Truth, is ever victorious).