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Thermopylae set the archetype- a brave, yet ultimately doomed battle against hopeless odds. So what other battles since then have lived up to that standard?
This one's a favourite of mine- the Battle of Saragarhi. It demonstrates very clearly that one should never assume that Sikhs are going to leave quietly.
This one's a favourite of mine- the Battle of Saragarhi. It demonstrates very clearly that one should never assume that Sikhs are going to leave quietly.
In order to consolidate their position and to control the insurgent and inimical activities of some of the local tribal groups inhabiting the north-western frontiers of undivided India, the British rulers of India had constructed a number of forts in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), then a part of India but now in Pakistan. Fort Lockhart and Fort Gulistan, a few kilometres apart, were two such forts. They were located on the Samana ridge of the Hindukush and Sulaiman ranges. As the two forts were not visible from one another, a suitably camouflaged signalling post named Saragarhi was created to provide heliographic communications between the two forts.
In 1897, insurgent and inimical activities had increased, and on 3rd and 9 September Afridi tribes, with allegiance to Afghans, attacked Fort Gulistan. Both the attacks were repulsed, and a relief column from Fort Lockhart, on its return trip, reinforced the signalling detachment positioned at Saragarhi, making its strength to one Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) and twenty troops of Other Ranks (ORs).
On 12 September 1897, the troops of Orakazai and Afridi tribes, instigated by the Afghans, mounted fresh attacks, laid a siege on Fort Lockhart and Saragarhi, with the intent to overrunning the Saragarhi, and preventing any support reaching Saragarhi from the Fort.
Officers and troops of the Indian army stationed in the Fort Lockhart had counted at least 14 standards (used by troops of Orkazai and Afridi tribal), which according to local configuration, amounted to an assault force of 12000 to 14000 armed tribesmen.
In view of the determination of the garrison to continue fighting and defending their position, the Afghans made them several tempting promises to obtain their surrender. The Sikhs ignored all such overtures.
For hours the fierce fighting continued, while the enemy suffered losses, the number of the defenders was shrinking too, and their stock of ammunition was also being depleted. Sepoy Gurumukh Singh was flashing every detail of the battle through heliographic signals.
Meanwhile, the enemy set ablaze the area surrounding Saragarhi. Two of the enemy were then able to make a breach in the wall of the signalling post.
In the final stages of the battle, hand-to-hand fighting ensued.
The battle now approached too close to Sepoy Gurumukh Singh for him to continue signalling. He signalled to seek permission to close the heliograph. Permission to this effect was flashed back. He packed the heliograph equipment in its leather bag, took out his rifle and commenced firing on the intruding enemies, killing 20 of them, before he died fighting.
The tribesmen set on fire the signalling post. Every defender of Saragarhi had laid down his life to the last man and to the last bullet.
Only on the next day, was a relief column able to reach Saragarhi. Later on, the attackers admitted to having lost 4800 men and many more wounded.
When the gallantry of Saragarhi was recounted to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the recitation drew a standing ovation from the members. The saga of Saragarhi was also brought to the notice of Queen Victoria.
All the 21 Sikh non-commissioned officers and soldiers of other ranks who laid down their lives in the Battle of Saragarhi were posthumously awarded the Indian Order of Merit, the highest gallantry award of that time, which an Indian soldier could receive by the hands of the British crown, the corresponding gallantry award being Victoria Cross.
In 1897, insurgent and inimical activities had increased, and on 3rd and 9 September Afridi tribes, with allegiance to Afghans, attacked Fort Gulistan. Both the attacks were repulsed, and a relief column from Fort Lockhart, on its return trip, reinforced the signalling detachment positioned at Saragarhi, making its strength to one Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) and twenty troops of Other Ranks (ORs).
On 12 September 1897, the troops of Orakazai and Afridi tribes, instigated by the Afghans, mounted fresh attacks, laid a siege on Fort Lockhart and Saragarhi, with the intent to overrunning the Saragarhi, and preventing any support reaching Saragarhi from the Fort.
Officers and troops of the Indian army stationed in the Fort Lockhart had counted at least 14 standards (used by troops of Orkazai and Afridi tribal), which according to local configuration, amounted to an assault force of 12000 to 14000 armed tribesmen.
In view of the determination of the garrison to continue fighting and defending their position, the Afghans made them several tempting promises to obtain their surrender. The Sikhs ignored all such overtures.
For hours the fierce fighting continued, while the enemy suffered losses, the number of the defenders was shrinking too, and their stock of ammunition was also being depleted. Sepoy Gurumukh Singh was flashing every detail of the battle through heliographic signals.
Meanwhile, the enemy set ablaze the area surrounding Saragarhi. Two of the enemy were then able to make a breach in the wall of the signalling post.
In the final stages of the battle, hand-to-hand fighting ensued.
The battle now approached too close to Sepoy Gurumukh Singh for him to continue signalling. He signalled to seek permission to close the heliograph. Permission to this effect was flashed back. He packed the heliograph equipment in its leather bag, took out his rifle and commenced firing on the intruding enemies, killing 20 of them, before he died fighting.
The tribesmen set on fire the signalling post. Every defender of Saragarhi had laid down his life to the last man and to the last bullet.
Only on the next day, was a relief column able to reach Saragarhi. Later on, the attackers admitted to having lost 4800 men and many more wounded.
When the gallantry of Saragarhi was recounted to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the recitation drew a standing ovation from the members. The saga of Saragarhi was also brought to the notice of Queen Victoria.
All the 21 Sikh non-commissioned officers and soldiers of other ranks who laid down their lives in the Battle of Saragarhi were posthumously awarded the Indian Order of Merit, the highest gallantry award of that time, which an Indian soldier could receive by the hands of the British crown, the corresponding gallantry award being Victoria Cross.
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