THE EPIC BATTLE OF SARAGARHI: A Saga of Valor ~ Book Review

Preface To 'The Epic Battle Of Saragarhi' by Gurinderpal Singh Josan

Among the world's unique wars, the Saragarhi battle occupies a special status as it was a Saga of Unparalleled bravery which valiant soldiers of 36th Sikh regiment faced the onslaught of 10,000 Afreedi and Orakzai tribals on 12th September, 1897 at Saragarhi post in Afghanistan-Pakistan borders mountain near the Samana range.

In this NWFP and FATA area which was under Pathan rule for centuries, about which it is said that they are the 10 lost tribes from Israel, because many of their customs are alike. Many scholars associate them with Spain. Many small and large groups Pathans rule this area, of which five are major ones: Pakhtoon, ai, Yousefzai, Afridi and Sadoji. At that time, Afridi bered 26,500 under whom were Northern Tirah, Peshawar western Kohat mountains, Bora Valley, Khyber Pass areas. ai tribals had 27,800 men ruling over Tirah, Kohat and anzai valley. This region was used as a corridor by Aryans.
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Foreword by I.J. Singh
Professor Emeritus, Anatomical Sciences
New York University

Saragarhi and its adjoining areas define the AfPak region which is keeping the great powers of the world, including the USA, busy and worried.

The battle of Saragarhi was fought on 12 September, 1897; it made history over a hundred years ago in an area that has been strategically critical to the Indian subcontinent for over a millennium and remains important today to India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and others, including the Taliban, Al Qaeda and the United States.

Located at the entrance of the Khyber Pass that, over the centuries, has been the passage into the Greater Punjab for a host of traders, invaders, despots, even Alexander the Great and his Greek hordes, as well as for the probable large scale migration of Aryans from the Caucuses into Northwest India. Now, of course, since 1947 it forms the north-western border and entry way into Pakistan.

The historic battle of Saragarhi was fought in 1897 when Britain ruled the Indian subcontinent. Saragarhi was manned and defended by a contingent of only 21 Sikhs - a part of the 36th Sikhs of the British Indian Army -- now the 4th battalion of the Sikh Regiment.

The area was volatile then and remains equally volatile today. On September 12, 1897 over 10,000 Afghans and other tribesmen of the area attacked the outpost of Saragarhi. The defense by 21 Sikhs led by an NCO, Havildar Ishar Singh, earned a place in the annals of international military history as one of history's great last-stands in which each and every defender gave his life but refused to surrender.

Sepoy Gurmukh Singh, the signaler of the unit sent an emergent message to Colonel Haughton requesting assistance. The request was rebuffed and orders reiterated to continue defending their position.

The battle continued but at the end of the day, in keeping with the call of duty and the Sikh tradition of valor in battle, each and every soldier died in hand-to-hand combat.

The invaders had to set fire to the post of the last Sikh defender to die -- the signaler, Sepoy Gurmukh Singh who succumbed after he had killed 20 invaders himself.

He died yelling out the Sikh war cry "Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal" (Literally: Shout Aloud in Ecstasy! True is the Great Timeless One).

The battle was over but it entered the annals that are a tribute to the human spirit.

During the reign of Queen Victoria the British Government raised a memorial to the heroes of Saragarhi. All 21 soldiers were awarded the British Order of Merit that corresponds to the Victoria Cross. This is equivalent to the Param Vir Chakra awarded by the President of India today. Movies on this last battle have been made and other memorials erected.

One is reminded of many similar monuments to human courage and determination in human history, each remains without parallel. Homer tells of Hector of Troy saying, "Let me not then die ingloriously and without a struggle, but let me first do some great thing that shall be told among men hereafter," Iliad XXII, Line 304.

One can't but salute Agis III of Sparta, 331 BC, Sempronius Densus, 69 AD, and the Vikings at Stamford Bridge, 1066 AD. There are many glorious chapters of courage in between but I close this list with a mention of the battle of Little Big Horn popularly remembered in American history as Custer's last stand.

Epic poetry has been written to honor the heroes of Saragarhi. Gurduaras have been established to honor their memory. Schools in India use the example of Saragarhi to instill patriotism and national pride. Sikhs worldwide observe the Saragarhi Memorial day on September 12. For some years the British and Indian Armies competed annually in a polo tournament in honor of the event.

A day-long battle has found a place in the marrow of Sikhs worldwide and the national fiber of India. The story deserves retelling and this is exactly what Gurinder Pal Singh has done. He is a scholar of history and weaves a riveting tale in both Punjabi and English. He has given new life to an old battle.

Enjoy!

Gurinderpal Singh is Post graduate in world history from Punjab University Chandigarh and certified Gojuryu Karate coach.

As instructor he has been rendering hsi services to various national Karate federations like India, US and Nepal. NY city marathon runners and general secretary Sikhs In America, was conferred Hind Rattan Award by former Prime Minister Deve Gowda as NRI.

He is a well Known personality in the Sikh nation and has represented Sikhs on various occasions in international organizations like UNO.

He has special interest and contributions in the promotion and preservation of Sikh heritage and culture. Presently he is working as a Production Manager, New York.