Current Events
British Army Honours Sikh Role in World War One,
On Saragarhi Day
NEWS REPORTS
The British army has honoured the contribution made by Sikh soldiers during World War One.
Tens of thousands of Sikhs from Punjab fought and died for Britain during the conflict.
The commemoration at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst -- timed to coincide with Saragarhi Day -- featured a re-enactment by 36 Sikh volunteers of the historic last-stand by the heroes of Saragarhi in the North West Frontier in 1897, all of whom died whilst defending their post against a horde of thousands.
In a message to the assembled audience, Patron of the 1914 Sikh campaign, Maj Gen Peter Davies said:
“It is fitting that this gathering is being held at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst as it is acknowledged that the Battle of Saragarhi remains unparalleled in the course of British and Indian Military History. Today is indeed a historic day.
“17 years after the brave heroics of Saragarhi the Sikhs were once again at the forefront of the Indian Army in WWI. The 1914 Sikhs campaign is dedicated to paying tribute to those Sikhs who fought and died in that daunting conflict.“
The salute was taken By Maj Gen Nitsch, with Lord Indarjit Singh of Wimbledon in attendance.
The event was brought together under the aegis of The 1914 Sikhs, a project of The Anglo-Sikh Heritage Trail. The following is its leader Harbinder Singh’s rallying cry on the day before the commemoration:
Singho!
Gur Fateh.
You will be marching tomorrow 127 years to the day since the 21 Khalsas of the Sikh Regiment made history with their brave and defiant stand against a force of 10,000.
You are also making history in being the first ever Sikh platoon to march at Sandhurst in its 200 years of existence
Over the past many months you have displayed tremendous dedication and commitment in getting this far. It has been a testing journey but faith and resilience has been on your side.
Tomorrow will be the start of another journey as when your achievement becomes public knowledge there will be more challenges to overcome and commitments to fulfil.
We have every confidence in your ability to do justice to yourselves, your families and to the Panth. As you march onto the parade ground uppermost in your minds will be the image of the Guru Granth Sahib being carried into battle, of Baba Deep Singh at Harmandar Sahib, of the scene at Chamkaur, of Ishar Singh and his 20 brothers-in-arms at Saragarhi, and the countless other iconic landmarks in the blood soaked history of our noble faith.
Unlike them you are not facing physical hardship but the same blood flows through your veins. That is why there is no doubt that you will exceed all expectations and do the Sikh nation proud.
Good luck and Guru Sahai.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!
Please CLICK here for the BBC Video of the event.
September 13, 2014
Conversation about this article
1: Kaala Singh (Punjab), September 13, 2014, 1:33 PM.
Sikhs have made history and will make it again. The day is not far when we will regain our lost glory!
2: Gurinder Singh (Stockton, California, U.S.A.), September 13, 2014, 8:40 PM.
They did it again in the recent past (1984) when a few with outdated rifles faced the Indian army assault on Harmandar sahib and met death heroically.
3: Sangat Singh (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), September 14, 2014, 7:09 AM.
The Sikh National Anthem and the most celebrated hymn by Guru Gobind Singh has been our guiding beacon. No one ever saw the back of a Sikh soldier in any battle-field. We are today celebrating the sacrifices made by Sikh Soldiers in World War I. They lived the words and aspirations of the following prayer to the fullest: deh shiva bar mohe ihai -- "Grant me this boon, O Lord, / May I never refrain from righteous acts; / May I fight without fear all foes in life's battles / With confident courage claiming victory. / May Thy glory be grained in my mind / And my highest ambition be singing thy praises. / When this mortal life comes to an end / May I die fighting with limitless courage ..."
4: Kaala Singh (Punjab), September 15, 2014, 12:56 PM.
If the Sikhs could achieve so much fighting for others, imagine if they had a country and an army of their own, they would have been a superpower. We must preserve and nurture the Sikh way of life which gives such amazing spiritual and physical strength.
5: Baldev Singh (Bradford, United Kingdom), September 15, 2014, 5:30 PM.
Absolutely awesome! We all owe our freedoms to, among others, these extraordinary men who gave the ultimate sacrifice and their today so we could have our tomorrow! Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheuru Ji Ki Fateh to them and to all humanity.