Havildar Ishar Singh remains an iconic personality for his utter bravery during the ‘Battle of Saragarhi’ and for being a true leader who would fight only for the comfort and safety of his own troop.
Wiki/Biography
Havildar Ishar Singh was born into a farming family in Jagraon tehsil, Ludhiana district, Punjab. He was married to Gurinderpal Singh Josan.
Career
Ishar Singh dreamed of becoming a soldier and got a chance to fulfill his dream by joining the Punjab Frontier Force at the age of 18. For most of his life, he remained on the battlefield with the regiment number 165. Shortly after the establishment of the 36th Sikh Regiment in 1887, he enlisted with it.
Soldiers of the 36th Sikh Regiment in 1896
In August 1897 the 36th Sikh Regiment led by Lieutenant Colonel John Haughton was divided into 5 groups and sent to the North West Frontier Province. The groups of soldiers were posted at Samana Hills, Kurag, Sangar, Sahtop Dhar and Saragarhi. A group of 21 soldiers from the 36th Regiment, led by Ishar Singh, stationed themselves at Saragarhi. A small town in the Kohat border district, Saragahi was a modest place as it connected Fort Lockhart and Fort Gulistan. As the common communication link between the three posts, he was a target of Afghan and Orakzai tribesmen.
Saragarhi on the map
On 12 September 1897, a signalman from the regiment, Gurmukh Singh, warned Lieutenant Colonel John Haughton about the Afghans (over 10,000) heading towards Fort Lockhart. Haughton was unable to do anything in that situation and was unable to send additional forces.
Soldiers of the 36th Sikh Regiment
At this point, the leader Ishar Singh and his men decided not to retreat and decided to fight. “Battle of Saragarhi” to death. During this battle around 200 Afghans were killed by these 21 soldiers who fought with great zeal and enthusiasm.
Battle of Saragarhi
The badly wounded soldiers fought for 8 long hours without a break. When they ran out of bullets and shells, they engaged in hand-to-hand combat. His sacrifice was not in vain as the enemies were finally defeated.
Havildar Ishar Singh with his troops
Saragarhi Ruins
Awards
- Indian Order of Merit Class III
Death
On September 12, 1897, Ishar Singh died a martyr after fighting in the “Battle of Saragarhi” in Tirah, North West Frontier Province, British India (now Pakistan).
Facts
- The British historian, Major General James Lunt, said that Ishar Singh was a somewhat turbulent character whose independent nature had more than once brought him into conflict with his military superiors. So, Ishar Singh: in the camp, a nuisance, in the magnificent field.
- To honor the 21 Sikh soldiers of the 36th Sikh Regiment, two Saragarhi Memorial Gurudwaras were made in Ferozepur and Amritsar.
Saragarhi Memorial Gurudwara Amritsar (left) and Saragarhi Memorial Gurudwara Ferozepur (right)
- As a tribute to the 21 brave Sikh soldiers, September 12 is celebrated as “Saragarhi Day”.
- After his martyrdom, none of his relatives joined the army.
- Numerous biopic films have been made about Havildar Ishar Singh but ‘Kesari’ (2019) where Akshay Kumar played his role has been the most famous film and has been able to grab the attention of the masses towards the real heroes.
Akshay Kumar in Kesari
- He is often mistaken for Captain Isher Singh, a soldier in the British Indian Army.
- After Havildar Ishar Singh’s death, his brother killed his wife and was imprisoned in Kala Pani (Andaman and Nicobar).
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Source: dienchau2.edu.vn
