21 Sikhs v/s 10,000 tribesmen – Battle of Saragarhi

On September 12 1897, a battle was fought in present day Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province by less than two dozen soldiers of a Sikh Regiment of British Indian Army. The bravery & valour of the soldiers resulted in their story being written in golden letters in the history. All the 21 Sikh soldiers  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. This award is equivalent to today's Param Vir Chakra awarded by the President of India.

Born in Majha region of Punjab, these 21 sikh soldiers led by Havildar Ishar Singh were faced with a dangerous life threatening situation.

In August 1897, five companies of the 36th Sikhs under Lt. Col. John Haughton, were sent to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The British had partially succeeded in getting control of this volatile area, however tribal Pashtuns attacked British personnel from time to time. Thus a series of forts, originally built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Ruler of the Sikh Empire, were consolidated. Two of the forts were Fort Lockhart, (on the Samana Range of the Hindu Kush mountains), and Fort Gulistan (Sulaiman Range), situated a few miles apart. Due to the forts not being visible to each other, Saragarhi was created midway, as a heliographic (signalling) communication post. The Saragarhi post, situated on a rocky ridge, consisted of a small block house with loop-holed ramparts and a signalling tower.

On 12 September 1897, 10,000 Pashtuns attacked the signalling post at Saragarhi, so that communication would be lost between the two forts.

The Battle – How things unfolded

Details of the Battle of Saragarhi are considered fairly accurate, due to Gurmukh Singh signalling events to Fort Lockhart by heliograph as they occurred.

·         Around 9:00am, around 10,000 Afghans reach the signaling post at Saragarhi.

·         Sardar Gurmukh Singh signals to Col. Haughton, situated in Fort Lockhart, that they are under attack.

·         Colonel Haughton states he cannot send immediate help to Saragarhi.

·         The soldiers decide to fight to the last to prevent the enemy from reaching the forts.

·         A brave fight is put by sikh soldiers. Some are killed and some injured.

·         In an act of outstanding bravery, Ishar Singh orders his men to fall back into the inner layer, whilst he remains to fight. However, this is breached and all but one of the defending soldiers are killed, along with many of the Pashtuns.

·         Gurmukh Singh, who communicated the battle with Col. Haughton, was the last Sikh defender. He is stated to have killed 20 Afghans, the Pashtuns having to set fire to the post to kill him. As he was dying he was said to have yelled repeatedly the Sikh battle-cry "Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal"

Having destroyed Saragarhi, the Afghans turned their attention to Fort Gulistan, but they had been delayed too long, and reinforcements arrived there in the night of 13–14 September, before the fort could be conquered. The Pashtuns later admitted that they had lost about 180 killed and many more wounded during the engagement against the 21 Sikh soldiers, but some 600 bodies are said to have been seen around the ruined post when the relief party arrived.

Commemorative tablet

The tablet inscription reads;

"The Government of India have caused this tablet to be erected to the memory of the twenty one non-commissioned officers and men of the 36 Sikh Regiment of the Bengal Infantry whose names are engraved below as a perpetual record of the heroism shown by these gallant soldiers who died at their posts in the defence of the fort of Saragarhi, on the 12 September 1897, fighting against overwhelming numbers, thus proving their loyalty and devotion to their sovereign, The Queen Empress of India, and gloriously maintaining the reputation of the Sikhs for unflinching courage on the field of battle."

 

Saragarhi Day  (India)

Saragarhi Day, is a Sikh military commemoration day celebrated on 12 September every year to commemorate The Battle of Saragarhi. Sikh military personnel and Sikh non-military people commemorate the battle around the World every year on 12 September. All units of the Sikh Regiment celebrate Saragarhi Day every year as the Regimental Battle Honours Day.

Saragarhi Memorial Gurudwara (temple) was built in memory of the 21 Sikh soldiers that fought at The Battle of Saragarhi.

Saragarhi Day  (UK)

Saragarhi was commemorated by the British Armed Forces in the UK for the first time at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, when in November 2013 the book "Saragarhi: The Forgotten Battle" by journalist Jay Singh-Sohal was launched. The book is the first and only to authoritatively narrate the battle using primary sources and imagery analysis, and lays to bed many myths that have built up about it including the UNESCO claim.

Saragarhi Day was marked on the battle honour day on 12th September 2014 at Sandhurst at another event organised by the British Army and the leading expert on the battle Jay Singh-Sohal.

The story of unbelievable bravery of Sikhs in Indian Army continues till date. India is proud to be home for this small but immensely brave, cheerful, large hearted community. From the Sikh Gurus to Sikh Soldiers of the present, they have always set unprecedented examples of sacrificing their lives for others.

And this forgotten page of history deserves better place in our present lives.

Jawahar Lal - who laid India's foundation.

“When the world sleeps, India will awake to life & freedom.”

Nehru became Gandhi's right hand in early days in India till the very end.

From freedom struggle to being the first prime minister of India, Nehru gave his life for future generations. He protected India’s diversity at a time when political thinkers, social scientists & world leaders all across the globe declared that it is impossible for a nation like India to survive with so many religions, languages, cultures and other diversities.

He not only protected India from becoming ‘Hindu Pakistan’ but earned a respectable place for the nascent poor country at the world stage. A country whose survival was being questioned started playing role in brokering peace deals between warring nations. He gave us a foundation on which we have today proudly built a prosperous, Secular, respected & truly free nation.

Though the two main political parties of India are fighting over ideologies & leaders, we must not forget that every leader belongs to every Indian. So we owe to our Chacha Nehru for keeping democracy, secularism, freedom of expression, religion & liberal values alive.

Happy 125^th Birth Anniversary to great freedom struggler, true patriot, liberal thinker, statesman and a world leader.

Nehru ji, U kept your word. India is certainly Alive & Free.

Raping Humanity while protecting faith

On 30^th anniversary of the Sikh pogrom which followed the assassination of Indira Gandhi, stories of murders, rapes, pyres of burning bodies, fathers & husbands being torched in front of their kids and wives resurface in the memories of Indians. The punishment was meant for an act which these more than 3000 Sikhs never committed. The only feeling that pains me is the thought and dilemma that…

What kind of Hindus are those who justify Sikhs being burnt and raped for no fault of theirs !

What kind of Sikhs are those who justify Hindus being separated from buses in Punjab to be shot at in front of their families for the reason that they don’t share the same religion with the murderers !

What kind of Muslims are those who feel pained at their co religionists being killed in riots but than justify Kashmiri Pandits being thrown out of their houses from Kashmir!

What faith are we protecting by professing all religions but inhumanity ? To me the only religion these chauvinists & hate mongers belong to is Brainlessness. How else can these people be fooled by politicians to do all the acts that disgrace the humanity?

We still keep arguing the superiority of one faith over the other. The only way to have a better world is to change our first religion from Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity & Islam to ‘Humanity’ and place our gods after humans.

I wish we can see those who led those mobs in 1984 in Delhi & other places spend the last days of their lives in Jails. 

Dowry : Taken with Pride..What is that Car doing there ?

Punjabis are known for their extravagance & lavishness and when it comes to celebrations, money flows like water in Sutlej. This very quality has been showcased by many bollywood movies, as in Vicky Donor where initially the South Indians feel irked by the loudness and unnecessary (for them) craziness of North Indians but at the end find themselves dancing to the tunes of Punjabi songs. Punjabis watching the movie feel extremely happy for they are proud of their loudness ( & they won over the south Indians with their 3 Ds – Dance, Daaru (Whisky) & Dhol). In contrast to what Mr Modi offers with his 3 Ds, unfortunately but proudly Punjab has a different set of Ds to offer.

Coming to a specific quality of Punjabi marriages. Any one going to a marriage has a question in his mind – Gaddi kehri ditti hai ? ( Which Car has been gifted ). You will than find a decorated car at the entrance flying in the face of all social campaigns advocating women empowerment and equality between sexes.

And cars…. Alto, Zen, Nano are lesser citizens among cars for the prosperous state. It has to be a SUV or a Sedan and if it is a BMW or Audi, it is a gift worth praising. Social status is something which is driving this state into all wrong deeds including the lucrative drug smuggling.

The most amazing thing about these marriages is the silent agreement between everyone who is part of the celebrations. You ask them ,”Isn’t it dowry?”, even a child knows the answer “it’s a gift ,not dowry”. One is bound to wonder that why is  such an expensive gift being given by the girl’s family to the bridegroom and not the other way. The ever ready answer is ,” Gaddi tan kudi nu hi milni hai” (Ultimately the girl will receive the car). Such a unanimous sentiment displays how an organised crime is carried out with perfection. And the legislators presumed that they ended this custom, which is said to be one of many causes of the skewed sex ration in North India, the day they passed the law in the Temples of Democracy. What a tragic joke!!!

The sex ratio of Punjab is plunging with every new census warning the state to be ready for what neighbouring state Haryana is facing. No girls, No marriages and finally this gift concept reverses. Now Haryanvi Boys are ready to pay to find a girl to marry, yet many remain unmarried. Even kidnapping and buying girls is not rare these days. It is a gift which is given to younger generations by the elders in return of dowry they (gave and) received. These ‘Missing girls’ are probably going to places like Kerala in these big ‘gifted’ cars where they find a better social place and dignified life.

But such is this proud & boastful community that they will commit a crime (may be sin) and show off to the world, declaring “Yes we take dowry, do whatever you can”. What else is that car at the marriage resort standing for ?

Shutting the debate on feminism with a message to guests , “Continue the tradition.”

Nobel Prize : Peace trespasses Wars & Fundamentalism

The Nobel Prize for Peace has been announced.

It is shared by a Pakistani & an Indian, A Hindu & a Muslim. Two protagonists have, though for a small time, brought the two countries together who've been warring with each other since they were born. The two nations are closest in terms of language, culture, traditions, history, interest and much more. Still guns are always loaded at each other.

After 70 years of animosities, three wars and never ending skirmishes, at last two countries are sharing Nobel ,unlike boundaries, PEACEFULLY. I wonder there would be a war if both nations start arguing who contributed more to peace.


The prize symbolizes & gives the message that Humanity & Peace knows no religion or borders. Let us feel proud as South Asians. Let peace prevail.

PM Modi : India _ Never more proud, hopeful & Enthused

PM Modi has brought new life to Indians' dreams to make their nation the "GOLDEN SPARROW" which it was once called in the history. We always knew that we have all the talent, brains, ideas and determination which is needed to be the Best. All we needed was a leader. And after Gandhi, Pandit Nehru..... Our 'Rockstar PM' has arrived.

The Rockstar PM

Modi Modi Modi has made evident to the world from Tokyo to New York that India is planning to do something Big. And that Big is fulfilling the dream of Bapu- The father of our Nation.

It is now the duty of all of us to join hands to contribute our bit for making our country THE LAND OF GODS again as our ancestors did when Mahatma Gandhi gave a call.

To Gandhi ji:

67 saal kar lia araam, ab Inquilab ki baari hai
Teri di Azaadi ka karz chukaane ki ab baari hai...

(We have relaxed for 67 years, Now is the time for another Revolution
The freedom that you gave us, Now is the time to make India of your dream)

FATHER OF OUR NATION

Come on India. Let us Rock & Shock the world. Jai Hind .... Vande Matram

HINDU RASHTRA : AN UTOPIAN DREAM

HINDU RASHTRA : AN UTOPIAN DREAM

DISCLAIMER - All the Senas (except Bhartiya Sena) like Shivsena, Hindu Rashtra Sena, RSS, VHP do not represent Hindus. Most of the Hindus are unaffected by what they do and say, many have never heard of them and their dreams and many, though small in number hate them for their uncivilized, anti national, hate mongering acts.

Just after finishing the largest ever democratic process, India has seen all the small, tiny but acid throwing fringe groups based on Hindutva ideology resurfacing on the political space. Some demand a Hindu Rashtra where only Hindus live following the so called glorious Hindu way of life. This they claim will purify the nations, though it may take murdering, burning or even raping some humans.

Let us examine how realistic their dream is.

We in India proudly have the second largest populations of Muslims only behind Indonesia. With our glorious Democratic ethos and free speech, liberal values we have failed the most diabolical Terror groups in their attempts of creating a space in our secular nation.Those selling dreams of a Hindu Rashtra are akin to the salesmen selling air filled in jars , though immoral and unethical but profitable. That's called Marketing!!!

The takers of these dreams are the poor souls who are fooled again and again with this political 'Carrot & Stick', but they are so loyal to their leaders that they will even die with this dream as their last wish. Maybe the leader says Tathastu. The best we can do these fellow Indians is taking them to a good Psychiatrist for daydreaming too much. How can 18% of over a billion population vanish ? What do they expect to do with them ?

Even the least sane person understands that it is Impossible. But Alas! Insanity has taken some radical human brains.

These divisive groups are blowing off the secular credentials of our Constitution every single day with much pride. The depressing fact is the support they garner from voters, who want to have a country with homogenity in religion and believe that all other things like Economic development, Law & Order, Education, Trade & Commerce will automatically fall in place.

The first education Minister of India was a muslim and a leading protagonist challenging M.A. Jinnah's self proclaimed claim of being the sole representative of all Muslims of South Asia. In similar lines these Indian Hindu Leagues claim such things. The matter of the fact is that RSS is equally responsible for partition as Muslim League is. Both were operating their hate selling shops in the most cordial reciprocity.

What a shame for us that we Indians suddenly are awaken by a warning from Terrorist group losing its ground.  Do we need such warnings for our experts to suggest that the widening gap between Muslims & Hindus may prove disastrous ? The alienation of Muslim youth has to be narrowed, our experts advice. Or New Delhi wakes up when some rebellious religious group picks up arms against it to get what it deserved and was denied by the majority community.

The new PM Modi has amazed not only the nation but the world by his Vision. But he has no less confused the country with his "Speak & Silence" policy. He will speak about Good Governance and some Yogis and Maharajs wrongly placed in nation's Parliament will puke hatred on which our PM remains Silent.

This silence shall not be converted into the silent before a Big Storm.

GAZA Needs a Gandhi.

It's been over a month that the world is watching painful images of children bleeding off their amputated parts from their living rooms before switching over to another channel as those images seem too ugly to be seen during dinner time. What is the world doing? What if our children were under constant threat of being killed by rockets coming from sky anytime? What if hospitals & schools were attacked in a sinful attempt of cleansing of our whole nation?

No place to run! No place to hide! No place to sleep in peace! No place to live..... for these Palestinians kids who are in a war for some reason they don't know.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE ?

The world- the think tanks, nations, common public, social media- has divided itself into two groups. These two "Super Expert" groups keep giving their comments now & then as to who & why is Israel or Hamas responsible. But as an Indian Proverb goes," You can't clap with one hand." Both Hamas & Israel have dug their heels on ideologies which seem completely illogical reason for their efforts. The death row is about to touch 2000 with majority of them Palestinians & many among them Children, unfortunately. In the war of this geo politics, wouldn't it be more prudent for the Hamas to bow down a little bit, for it is their people who are getting killed like anything. Though they claim they are fighting their war.

How Mahatma Gandhi handled a similar war ?

Remembering India at the triumph of 20th century, one will find many small revolutionary groups which were fighting War of Resistance against a big power who had chained their nation, much similar to what Hamas says it is doing. With no(or little) money, ammunition, experience, leaders, strategy, discipline, those groups dreamed of conquering the mighty Britain which had won over most of its enemy nations of the time. Was it a possible idea to win over Britain. Gandhi had the answer to this question, it obviously was NO.

Gandhi with his unmatched intellect devised a new weapon never used by anyone in the world - NON VIOLENCE. Satyagraha was his call to awaken the soul of the enemy by resistance. He believed that Truth can shake the most stone hearted person's soul. And that was the weapon for which Britain found no reply.Never Ever!!

The numerous wars he fought using his Non Violent Satyagraha from 1920s to 1942 had completely shaken the foundations of British rule & Indians and Britons were on the same table, discussing the way forward for Independence. Though they were Rulers & Subjects.

World also saw similar movement in the Country where Gandhi first experimented his weapon. South Africa finished the inhuman Apartheid only when they had Nelson Mandela, who gave away his life following similar ideals.

Martin Luther King in his fight against racism used the same principles. So after South Africa, USA had their Gandhi. And look what ripples they created. Though the same USA keeps his lips sealed & friendship intact with Israel.
What was common in these struggles was - Non Violence.

Message for Palestine

"An eye for an eye ends up making the whole world blind". Mahatma's divine message seems true in Gaza & Hamas and Palestine should be the one which stops violence first & raise a white flag because they are on the receiving end. The only way to have a free Palestine starts after shedding guns & coming on the table. May be the world stand on the Palestinian side. Expecting from Israel will end up in the same fate, how it ended up for Jews expecting from Adolf Hitler.

India's Football connection : What is FIFA Missing ?

With over a billion people & with lakhs and lakhs of football lovers , India is leaps and bounds behind the football family. Though it may seem that India is unaware of the beautiful game but the picture show a few moments of India's tryst with football.

pic 1&2 : Pele at Eden Gardens in 1977.
Pic 3 : Argentina playing Poland in Nehru Cup (1984).

So the game that may seem as a buried sport in India if we see the Indian team's ranking in FIFA world rankings, just needs a push to take off again. An equal representation from all continents will take the game many levels higher. And when it comes to Asia, India ,China should be priority in FIFA's upcoming events to revive the game. Imagining games like India v/s Pakistan, India v/s China, Pakistan v/s Afghanistan excites the heart. If these events are organised & marketed in a determined manner, the game can grow in an unprecedented way. FIFA is losing millions of fans and millions of dollars !!

Supporting, Enjoying & cheering for other teams is so much fun. How would it feel when our tricolor fills the stadium. Hoping for the Beautiful day when Beautiful Game comes to India.

The Forgotten Diseased Bhopalis!! - 30th Anniversary of Bhopal Gas tragedy

On the peaceful night of 2nd December 1984, while the poverty ridden people of Bhopal had just won the every day war to get two meals & were not yet fully asleep when a gas leaked which was destined to change not only their lives but of many generations to come. While the government of the day provided relief after giving a way out to the main defaulters, many had perished and many unforunate survived to experience "living hell". Despite many voices from civil society, media & a few kind hearted thinkers, nothing changed for good. However a pogrom which claimed lesser lives in the same year a few months earlier still remains a sizzling topic in Indian politics. The reason - Religion was involved in it( The Sikh Pogrom).

With no hope of any justice in future, we can only wonder who is more unfortunate? those who were buried the same weak or those who survived for animal existence. Humanity was murdered by Union Carbide, the US company responsible and is raped everyday by Indian Government.

Shame on the largest democracy