SARAGARHI DAY – A TRIBUTE TO THE BRAVE 21 SIKH SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT “TO THE LAST MAN –TO THE LAST ROUND”

By Harpreet Sandhu, Advocate, Punjab & Haryana High Court To recognize and reinstate the importance of day 12 September, as Saragarhi Day, Punjab Govt under the able leadership of Capt. Amarinder Singh today held a State level function in Ferozepur to pay tributes to the valiant soldiers of the 36th Sikhs Battalion, who made supreme sacrifice in the legendary “Battle of Saragarhi” this day in year 1897, between Sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army and Pashtun Orakzai tribesmen).The British Indian contingent comprised 21 Sikhs of the 36th Sikhs (now the 4th 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 the death, in what is considered by some military historians as one of history's greatest last stands. The post was recaptured two days later by another British Indian contingent. Sikh military personnel commemorate the battle every year on 12 September, as Saragarhi Day. Last year on 12th Sept 2017 the State organised a function which was presided by British Army personnel’s from United Kingdom headed by Maj. Gen Duncan Francis Capps who paid homage at Saragarhi Gurudawara along with the Indian Sikh Regiment Army personnel and recognised courage and patriotism of Sikhs as a legendary warrior race. Indeed credit goes to Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh for initiating a mammoth venture authoring a book last year on “Saragarhi And The Defence of The Samana Forts” based on the true facts of Battle of Saragarhi, depicting the courage and loyalty of the Sikhs as legendary warriors, reviving the forgotten memories of the saga of valour and heroism shown by 21 Sikhs of the 36th Sikhs, who despite being outnumbered by the Afghans showed great resistance and saved Samana Forts from being captured.