Battle of Saragarhi | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part of the Tirah Campaign | |||||||
![]() Depiction of the Battle of Saragarhi of the Tirah Campaign | |||||||
| |||||||
Belligerents | |||||||
• ![]() |
![]() ![]() | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
![]() |
![]() | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
21[3] | 10,000 to 12,000[4][5] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
21 dead[3] |
450 (estimate) dead and wounded[6][7] See Aftermath section |
The Battle of Saragarhi was a last-stand battle fought before the Tirah Campaign between the British Indian Empire and Afghan tribesmen.[8] On 12 September 1897, an estimated 12,000 – 24,000 Orakzai and Afridi tribesmen were seen near Gogra, at Samana Suk, and around Saragarhi, cutting off Fort Gulistan from Fort Lockhart. The Afghans attacked the outpost of Saragarhi where thousands of them swarmed and surrounded the fort, preparing to assault it.[9] Led by Havildar Ishar Singh, the 21 soldiers in the fort—all of whom were Sikhs—refused to surrender and were wiped out in a last stand. The post was recaptured two days later by another British Indian contingent.
All of the 21 soldiers involved in the battle were posthumously awarded the Indian Order of Merit, which was the highest gallantry award that an Indian soldier could receive at the time. The Indian Army's 4th battalion of the Sikh Regiment commemorates the battle every year on 12 September, as Saragarhi Day.[10]
The Orakzais were joined by the Afridi swelling their numbers to more than 10000. Groups of tribesmen attacked Sangar on the night of September 11. The post was on a high ridge and well fortified. Although there were only 44 Sikh troops, the garrison repulsed the attack. The following morning, the natives attacked Saragarhi. The garrison numbered 21 Sikhs, led by Havildar Ishar Singh. Instead of withdrawing to one of the other posts, the Sikhs decided to remain in an effort to maintain communication between the two forts.
A mass attack came on Saragarhi on September 12 and the 21 strong detachment fought one of the most unequal engagements in the history of warfare. There were fierce onslaughts by the 10,000 Orakzai and Afridi tribesmen. The outnumbered defenders returned the fire in a most determined manner. After a series of abortive attempts, the tribesmen managed to reach the wall of the post by using an ingenious method. Effecting a breach, they were face to face with the brave Sikhs, most of whom had been wounded.
The gallant defence of Saragarhi by Havildar Ishar Singh and twenty other ranks and a follower is estimated to have lost the enemy about four hundred and fifty killed and wounded
The Sikhs were wiped out after inflicting 450 casualties on their attackers.
When day broke on the 12th, the Orakzai-Afridi "lashkar" was seen to be in force near Gogra on the east, at the Samana Suk on the west, and round the Saragarhi post, thus severing Gulistan from Fort Lockhart. (Their total number has been variously estimated at from twelve to twenty thousand.)It was, therefore, no longer possible for Colonel Haughton to carry aid to Saragarhi or Guhstan, as he had done twice before. The enemy turned the brunt of their attack on the little post of Saragarhi.