PRESS RELEASE
Come the 12th of September, it will be 113 years since 21 brave soldiers died doing their duty on the Afghan border. For the first time in the country, this battle is being recognised nationally as Saragarhi Day. There will be a ceremony of remembrance at the Gurdwara Sahib Leamington and Warwick on Saturday 11th September at 4pm. It will be preceded by a short presentation of those historic events which have been recorded by UNESCO as one of 8 examples of collective bravery.
On the 12th of September 1897, 21 soldiers of the 36th Sikhs of the British Indian Army faced some 10,000 Afghan tribesmen at a small signalling station called Saragarhi in the North West Frontier province of what is now Pakistan. The Saragarhi post, situated on a rocky ridge, consisted of a small block house with loop-holed ramparts and a signalling tower. It was vital to the safety of 2 other forts as it was the only way of maintaining a communication link between them.
A general uprising by the Afghans, which began in August 1897 led to many attempts to capture the 2 forts. When these were unsuccessful, 10,000 Pashtuns attacked the signalling post at Saragarhi, so that communication would be lost between the two forts. The contingent of the twenty-one Sikhs from the 36th Sikhs, lead by Havildar Ishar Singh was hopelessly outnumbered. Undeterred, they all chose to fight to the death. The signalling officer continued to supply vital information to the 2 forts during the fighting, thus saving countless lives.
Saraghari is recognised as one of the greatest last stands in world military history, against overwhelming odds. Each one of the 21 we’re awarded the highest gallantry medal available to them, which is unparalleled in military history for one action. Plaudits for the bravery of the 21 Sikhs could be heard from both Houses of Parliament and Queen Victoria.
This nationwide commemoration will form part of the National Heritage Shared events planned at various locations up and down the country in September, which SHAWL (Sikh Heritage Association Warwick & Leamington) are happy to be involved with. On the 11th September, the program of events at the Gurdwara Sahib Leamington & Warwick will be as follows:
“Saragarhi Day” – 2.45pm : A short talk followed by a commemorative ceremony to the 21. In attendance will be direct descendants of the 36th Sikh Regiment.
“Frames of Bravery” Exhibition Launch – 4.00pm (11th – 26th September 2010) : Launched in Malaysia this photographic exhibition captures images of Sikh military history from the 18th century onwards including major contributions during WW1 & WW2.
“The Flying Sikhs” film – 5.00pm : A short documentary looking at the little known contribution of Sikh pilots during the Battle of Britain.
For further information please contact:
SHAWL representative, Dharminder Singh Sanghera on 07734883833.
All the above events are at the Gurdwara Sahib Leamington & Warwick, Tachbrook Park Drive, CV34 6RH.
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