The Battle of Saragarhi, fought on September 12, 1897, stands as one of the greatest last stands in military history. It was a moment where valor, sacrifice, and unwavering duty met the brutality of overwhelming odds. The battle unfolded in the rugged terrain of the North-West Frontier Province (now in modern-day Pakistan), where 21 Sikh soldiers of the 36th Sikh Regiment, led by Havildar Ishar Singh, defended the isolated outpost of Saragarhi against an onslaught of 12,000 to 24,000 Orakzai and Afridi tribesmen. Despite knowing that the odds were insurmountable and reinforcements were too far away, these brave men chose to fight to the last breath rather than surrender. Their sacrifice not only delayed the fall of Fort Gulistan but also etched their names into the annals of history as eternal symbols of bravery and devotion to duty.
1. Brewing Storm on the Frontier
A. Sikh Perspective:
The year was 1897, and the North-West Frontier Province of British India had become a cauldron of unrest. The harsh, unforgiving landscape of the Samana Range—rugged, dusty, and merciless—was home to fierce tribes who had never accepted foreign control. Fort Lockhart and Fort Gulistan stood as guardians over these tumultuous lands, but between them lay Saragarhi, a small but strategically critical signaling post.
For weeks, the Sikh soldiers of the 36th Sikh Regiment had observed unusual movements near the villages of Gogra and Samana Suk. The local tribes—Orakzai and Afridi Pashtuns—had been assembling in alarming numbers. They carried an age-old hatred for the British and their allies, and this time, they sought blood. Reports from informants indicated that 12,000 to 24,000 Afghan fighters were preparing for a coordinated assault. The motive was clear—cut off Saragarhi, isolate Fort Gulistan, and overwhelm the British defenses in the region.
Inside Saragarhi, Havildar Ishar Singh sensed the impending danger. A veteran of countless skirmishes, his instincts told him that the enemy was preparing for something bigger than usual raids. His 21 men, all of whom were Sikhs, shared his concerns but stood resolute. They were outnumbered, outgunned, and isolated, but their spirit was unyielding.
“This post is not just a signal station,” Ishar Singh told his men. “It’s a symbol of our duty, our honor. If Saragarhi falls, Fort Gulistan is next. We will hold this ground to the last man.”
B. Afghan Perspective:
From the hills and valleys, thousands of Afghan warriors gathered, their eyes burning with hatred and vengeance. The tribal chieftains had long harbored resentment toward British occupation and saw Saragarhi as the key to crippling the British foothold in the region. Their strategy was simple but deadly: overwhelm the fort through sheer numbers, cut off reinforcements, and destroy the British presence.
Mullahs and tribal elders stirred the spirits of their warriors, preaching that dying while fighting the infidels would guarantee eternal glory. The terrain favored the Afghans—they knew the narrow passes, hidden trails, and blind spots where an ambush could be staged. Their weapons, though old, were deadly—jezails, curved swords, and daggers capable of inflicting horrific wounds in close combat.
As dawn approached on September 12, 1897, the Afghan commanders gave the signal. The hills surrounding Saragarhi echoed with war cries, and the drums of war reverberated through the valleys. It was a moment that would alter the course of history.
2. The Garrison: Ordinary Men with Extraordinary Hearts
A. Sikh Perspective:
Inside the fort, Havildar Ishar Singh walked the perimeter, his boots crunching against the dusty ground. His men were prepared for what was coming, but he could see the weariness in their eyes. These were ordinary men—farmers, sons, and brothers—who had been thrust into a situation where survival seemed impossible.
Naik Lal Singh, his trusted second-in-command, stood by the gate, checking the barricades. Sepoy Bhagwan Singh, a sharpshooter, adjusted his Lee-Metford rifle, ensuring the sight was aligned perfectly. Sepoy Buta Singh, a master of close combat, practiced with his bayonet, while Sepoy Gurmukh Singh double-checked the signal tower’s functionality. Each man knew his role, and none harbored illusions about surviving.
“Sir,” whispered Naik Chanda Singh, “Do you think help will come in time?”
Ishar Singh met his gaze and replied softly but firmly, “Whether they come or not, we hold. We fight not for survival, but for honor.”
B. Afghan Perspective:
Among the Afghan ranks, the mood was different. There was no fear—only confidence born from numerical superiority. Orakzai and Afridi warriors formed a sea of bodies, eager to breach the fort and slaughter the defenders. Their leaders emphasized that the Sikhs were too few to withstand the assault.
Mullah Qasim, a fiery preacher, moved through the ranks, invoking the name of Allah and promising paradise to those who fell in battle. The tribal commanders coordinated their forces, assigning different groups to attack specific flanks. The strategy was brutal but effective: overwhelm the Sikhs through unrelenting pressure.
“Leave no man alive,” commanded Malik Darya Khan, a feared tribal leader. “Take the fort by dusk, or die trying.”
3. September 12, 1897 – The First Assault
A. Sikh Perspective:
The first rays of sunlight illuminated the arid landscape as the Afghans advanced. Havildar Ishar Singh ordered his men to take their positions. Sepoy Bhagwan Singh and Sepoy Jiwan Singh manned the eastern wall, their rifles trained on the advancing enemy. Sepoy Buta Singh and Sepoy Bhola Singh stood ready by the gate, prepared for any breach attempt.
The first wave of Afghans charged toward the fort, shouting war cries that echoed across the hills. “Allah-u-Akbar!” they cried as they surged forward. The Sikhs opened fire with disciplined precision. Lee-Metford rifles cracked, and bullets tore through the enemy ranks, dropping dozens of attackers.
Sepoy Bhagwan Singh’s aim was unerring—each shot found its mark, sending bodies crumpling to the ground. Sepoy Buta Singh and Sepoy Bhola Singh reinforced the gate, bracing for an inevitable breach. Despite the relentless attack, the first wave was repelled.
B. Afghan Perspective:
The Afghans retreated, but only temporarily. Malik Darya Khan, enraged by the failure, ordered his men to regroup and prepare for another assault. He knew that the Sikhs, though formidable, could not hold out indefinitely.
“They bleed like us,” he growled to his men. “Attack again, and this time, break their will.”
The next wave was more organized and focused. The Afghans targeted the walls with makeshift siege weapons—logs and ladders—to breach the defenses. They fired jezails relentlessly, keeping the Sikhs pinned down. The battle was far from over.
4. Midday: The Siege Tightens
A. Sikh Perspective:
By midday, the walls of Saragarhi were beginning to show signs of strain. The relentless attacks had taken a toll, and cracks were beginning to form in the fort’s defenses. Havildar Ishar Singh, ever vigilant, repositioned his men to reinforce the vulnerable sections.
“Hold your ground!” he roared as another wave of attackers surged forward. Sepoy Hira Singh and Sepoy Daya Singh worked furiously to reinforce the gates, while Sepoy Udham Singh and Sepoy Sahib Singh provided covering fire. The Sikhs fought like lions, but they were running out of ammunition.
B. Afghan Perspective:
From the Afghan side, the situation was becoming more desperate. The casualties were mounting, and the realization dawned that the Sikhs would not surrender easily. Malik Darya Khan ordered his men to focus on the gates and breach them at all costs.
“They’re weakening!” shouted one of the commanders. “Push harder!”
The Afghans brought down part of the outer wall, creating a breach. They poured into the gap, engaging the Sikhs in brutal hand-to-hand combat. The walls of Saragarhi echoed with the clash of steel and the cries of the wounded.
5. Evening: The Final Stand
A. Sikh Perspective:
As dusk fell, the defenders of Saragarhi stood bloodied but unbroken. Havildar Ishar Singh gathered his remaining men and formed a tight circular formation to protect the inner sanctum. Naik Lal Singh and Sepoy Ram Singh took point, leading the charge against the relentless tide of Afghans.
“We die as warriors,” Ishar Singh declared, his voice steady despite the chaos. “We fight until the last breath.”
The Sikhs engaged the Afghans in savage close-quarter combat. Sepoy Buta Singh and Sepoy Bhag Singh wielded their swords with lethal precision, cutting down enemy after enemy. The ground was soaked with blood, and bodies littered the fort. Sepoy Gurmukh Singh, still at his post in the signal tower, sent a final message to Fort Lockhart:
“We are under heavy fire… Can hold no longer… Will fight to the last breath…”
B. Afghan Perspective:
The Afghans, sensing victory, intensified their assault. They breached the inner defenses, but at a terrible cost. Malik Darya Khan ordered his warriors to show no mercy. The defenders, though exhausted and outnumbered, fought with such tenacity that even the most hardened Afghan warriors were awed by their bravery.
6. Final Moments: Blood and Glory
A. Sikh Perspective:
One by one, the defenders of Saragarhi fell, their bodies collapsing but their spirits unbroken. Havildar Ishar Singh, mortally wounded, stood tall in his final moments, sword in hand, cutting down attackers until his last breath. Sepoy Gurmukh Singh, the last man standing, fired his rifle until it was empty, then raised his sword and charged into the fray, echoing the cry that had inspired his brothers:
“Jo Bole So Nihal! Sat Sri Akal!”
B. Afghan Perspective:
When the last Sikh defender fell, the fort was finally silent. But the Afghans, victorious yet weary, stood in awe of the carnage. Over 600 Afghan warriors lay dead, and the survivors carried the scars of a battle that had cost them dearly. Malik Darya Khan surveyed the blood-soaked ground and muttered, “These were not men… they were lions.”
7. Aftermath: Immortal Legacy
A. Sikh Perspective:
When reinforcements arrived the next day, they found only smoldering ruins and the lifeless bodies of 21 Sikh heroes. The British Empire posthumously awarded each soldier the Indian Order of Merit, the highest gallantry award. Their sacrifice was immortalized, and the tale of Saragarhi became a beacon of courage and sacrifice.
B. Afghan Perspective:
For the Afghans, the victory at Saragarhi came at a staggering cost. The memory of the fallen Sikhs haunted the survivors, and even among the Afghan tribes, tales of the defenders’ bravery spread. “They fought not for life but for honor,” many whispered, respecting the courage of their fallen enemies.
8. Legacy: A Story Written in Blood and Steel
The Battle of Saragarhi was more than just a battle—it was a testament to unwavering loyalty, duty, and the indomitable spirit of 21 brave souls who chose death before dishonor. Their story echoes across generations, inspiring all who hear it.
“Jo Bole So Nihal! Sat Sri Akal!”
9. Conclusion:
The Battle of Saragarhi is more than just a historical event—it is a saga of extraordinary courage, unwavering duty, and ultimate sacrifice. The 21 Sikh soldiers who stood against thousands of Afghan warriors exemplified the highest ideals of valor and loyalty. Their unyielding resolve to protect their post, even in the face of certain death, transformed them into immortal heroes.Saragarhi serves as a timeless reminder that true heroism lies in standing firm against impossible odds, choosing honor over surrender, and embracing death with dignity. The echoes of “JO BOLE SO NIHAL! SAT SRI AKAL!” still resonate, reminding the world that the spirit of the Khalsa cannot be extinguished. The tale of Saragarhi will forever inspire generations to rise above fear and defend what is right, no matter the cost. Click here for
Saragarhi Fort in Present Pakistan
Note: All information presented has been sourced from publicly available, open-source media accounts and has been summarized in a way that is intended to be engaging and readable.This does not contain any harmful or disruptive content, and its sole purpose is for educational and information-sharing purposes only.
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