September 12 marks the 124th anniversary of the Battle of Saragarhi.
What is the Battle of Saragarhi?
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 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.
Led by Havildar Ishar Singh, the 21 soldiers in the fort—all of whom were Sikhs—refused to surrender.
The post was recaptured two days later by another British Indian contingent.
The Indian Army's 4th battalion of the Sikh Regiment commemorates the battle every year on the 12th of September, as Saragarhi Day.
Why was Saragarhi important?
Saragarhi was the communication tower between Fort Lockhart and Fort Gulistan.
The two forts in the rugged North West Frontier Province (NWFP), now in Pakistan were built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh but renamed by the British.
Saragarhi helped to link up the two important forts which housed a large number of British troops in the rugged terrain of NWFP.
Fort Lockhart was also home to families of British officers.