12th September, 2021, marked the 124th anniversary of the Battle of Saragarhi. It was fought between the British Indian Army's Sikh Regiment and Afghan tribesmen.
About the Battle of Saragarhi
Saragarhi was the communication tower between Fort Lockhart and Fort Gulistan.
The two forts in the rugged North West Frontier Province (NWFP) were built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh but renamed by the British.
The Battle of Saragarhi was a last-stand battle fought before the Tirah Campaign between the British Raj and Afghan tribesmen.
On 12 September 1897, an estimated 12,000 – 24,000 Orakzai and Afridi tribesmen attacked the outpost of Saragarhi, cutting off Fort Gulistan from Fort Lockhart.
Though heavily outnumbered, the soldiers of 36th Sikh, led by Havildar Ishar Singh, fought till their last breath, killing 200 tribals and injuring 600.
In 2017, the Punjab government decided to observe ‘Saragarhi Day’ on September 12 as a holiday.
