Saragarhi

[hardeepgill]

Sunday 12th marks the anniversary of the epic battle of Saragarhi ...

If you haven't already, do visit this FB group and help support a new factual film about the event which is currently being made

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/21-Sikhs/405739570331?ref=ts

[.- Prabhjot Singh -.]

London, Sep 11 (IANS) Prominent members of the Sikh community in the UK, and a former senior official of the British Army are planning to establish a permanent national memorial to mark the sacrifice of 21 Sikh soldiers, who had laid down their lives in the battle of Saragarhi Sep 12, 1897.

Coordinated by the Anglo Sikh Heritage Trail (ASHT), this campaign is also asking Britain to officially recognise the battle and its crucial role in their history. This permanent national memorial will be erected in central London.

ASHT is a project of the Maharajah Duleep Singh Centenary Trust, which was established in 1993. Its primary objective is to highlight and promote Anglo-Sikh heritage.

"The bravery shown by Sikh soldiers is unbelievable and it is important that their sacrifice is remembered. The memorial of the 21 soldiers will act as a permanent reminder of that famous battle. We are also asking the government to formally recognise their sacrifice," said former British judge Mota Singh Saturday.

Mota Singh was Britain's first Sikh and Asian judge. Opting to wear a white turban in court, instead of the traditional wig, he is seen as a sign of multicultural Britain.

In the battle of Saragarhi, 21 soldiers from the 36th Sikh Regiment of British India defended their army post against 10,000 tribesmen Sep 12, 1897. This battle was fought in the North West Frontier Province, now part of Pakistan.

The anniversary of the Saragarhi battle will be observed Sunday by a series of events across the UK to recognise the role of Sikh soldiers in the British Army in the past and in present.

Field Marshal Sir John Chapple, former chief of the general staff, British army said: "Sikh regiments have played an important role in the British Army and the soldiers who laid down their lives at the battle of Saragarhi were immensely brave. This battle is an important part of history and should be remembered."

The 21 Sikh soldiers were posthumously awarded the Indian Order of Merit, the highest gallantry award of that time that an Indian soldier could receive.

ASHT is also urging people to pledge their support by logging on to Facebook and other social network communities.

Indarjit Singh, a British broadcaster and journalist, who is also backing the campaign, stated: "Such episodes in history are very important as they inspire us."

[hardeepgill]

Good work by Harbinder SingH Rana on this campaign, we should all continue to raise awareness about this.

London, Sep 11 (IANS) Prominent members of the Sikh community in the UK, and a former senior official of the British Army are planning to establish a permanent national memorial to mark the sacrifice of 21 Sikh soldiers, who had laid down their lives in the battle of Saragarhi Sep 12, 1897.

Coordinated by the Anglo Sikh Heritage Trail (ASHT), this campaign is also asking Britain to officially recognise the battle and its crucial role in their history. This permanent national memorial will be erected in central London.

ASHT is a project of the Maharajah Duleep Singh Centenary Trust, which was established in 1993. Its primary objective is to highlight and promote Anglo-Sikh heritage.

"The bravery shown by Sikh soldiers is unbelievable and it is important that their sacrifice is remembered. The memorial of the 21 soldiers will act as a permanent reminder of that famous battle. We are also asking the government to formally recognise their sacrifice," said former British judge Mota Singh Saturday.

Mota Singh was Britain's first Sikh and Asian judge. Opting to wear a white turban in court, instead of the traditional wig, he is seen as a sign of multicultural Britain.

In the battle of Saragarhi, 21 soldiers from the 36th Sikh Regiment of British India defended their army post against 10,000 tribesmen Sep 12, 1897. This battle was fought in the North West Frontier Province, now part of Pakistan.

The anniversary of the Saragarhi battle will be observed Sunday by a series of events across the UK to recognise the role of Sikh soldiers in the British Army in the past and in present.

Field Marshal Sir John Chapple, former chief of the general staff, British army said: "Sikh regiments have played an important role in the British Army and the soldiers who laid down their lives at the battle of Saragarhi were immensely brave. This battle is an important part of history and should be remembered."

The 21 Sikh soldiers were posthumously awarded the Indian Order of Merit, the highest gallantry award of that time that an Indian soldier could receive.

ASHT is also urging people to pledge their support by logging on to Facebook and other social network communities.

Indarjit Singh, a British broadcaster and journalist, who is also backing the campaign, stated: "Such episodes in history are very important as they inspire us."

[Mehtab Singh]

The Battle of Saragarhi, one of history's most famous last stands, was fought during the Tirah Campaign on 12 September 1897 between twenty-one Sikhs of the 4th Battalion (then 36th Sikhs) of the Sikh Regiment of British India, defending an army post, and 10,000 Afghan and Orakzai tribesmen. The battle occurred in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, now part of Pakistan, which then formed part of British India. The Battle at Saragarhi is one of eight stories of collective bravery published by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). It has been mentioned as one of the five most significant events of its kind in the world which includes the Battle of Thermopylae associated with the heroic stand of a small Greek force against the mighty Persian Army of Xerxes I in 480 B.C. Even the Hindi film industry (Bollywood) has decided to make a movie based on the battle of Saragarhi. The film will have some special effects for which Hollywood technicians have been roped in. With a budget estimated at Rs 200 crore ($ 43 million), this could pass as the costliest Bollywood film ever made.

Related links:

http://www.sikhiwiki...x.php/Saragarhi

http://en.wikipedia....le_of_Saragarhi

Bollywood making a movie on battle of Saragarhi - http://www.sikhnet.c...dutt-turns-sikh

[hardeepgill]

Does anyone have any evidence of the UNESCO claim?

It's always referenced online but I can't find the actual document that says it.

The Battle of Saragarhi, one of history's most famous last stands, was fought during the Tirah Campaign on 12 September 1897 between twenty-one Sikhs of the 4th Battalion (then 36th Sikhs) of the Sikh Regiment of British India, defending an army post, and 10,000 Afghan and Orakzai tribesmen. The battle occurred in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, now part of Pakistan, which then formed part of British India. The Battle at Saragarhi is one of eight stories of collective bravery published by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). It has been mentioned as one of the five most significant events of its kind in the world which includes the Battle of Thermopylae associated with the heroic stand of a small Greek force against the mighty Persian Army of Xerxes I in 480 B.C. Even the Hindi film industry (Bollywood) has decided to make a movie based on the battle of Saragarhi. The film will have some special effects for which Hollywood technicians have been roped in. With a budget estimated at Rs 200 crore ($ 43 million), this could pass as the costliest Bollywood film ever made.

Related links:

http://www.sikhiwiki...x.php/Saragarhi

http://en.wikipedia....le_of_Saragarhi

Bollywood making a movie on battle of Saragarhi - http://www.sikhnet.c...dutt-turns-sikh

[Singh559]

That's great that they're creating a memorial!

Also, why does bollywood always insist on using Sikhs in their movie and misrepresenting them with their twisted agendas? There's nothing good that comes from their movies, they go so far as to change fellow 'sikhs' perspective on what a Sikh is and how one should live...

[Mehtab Singh]

VAHEGURU