The current Bollywood news is about the action-war film titled Kesari. There has been much commotion. It features Akshay Kumar – the man who is also known to be the original “Khatron Ke Khiladi”. But the Kesari – Saragarhi battle movie is inspired by 21 Sikhs who battled against a mob of an army.
Several folks are thrilled to watch the movie Kesari. But did you ever wonder when, how, and what Saragarhi Day is? Cole Sprouse and Lili Reinhart Reveal First Impressions. Here’s an insight into what occurred during the battle of Saragarhi.
On 12 September 1897, there was a fierce battle between the Sikh troops of the British Indian Army and Pashtun Orakzai. The 36th Sikh regiment of British India (the 4th battalion of Sikh Regiment in the Current Era) had 21 Jat Sikh troops. It was commanded by Havildar Ishar Singh. It is one of the greatest last stands ever in Military history.
21 Sikh soldiers decided to fight to death. They were facing 10,000 Pashtun Afghans. The Sikh Military personnel observe Saragarhi Day as a remembrance of this war.
Background of Battle of Saragarhi
Saragarhi is a small settlement located on the Samana range in Kohat’s border district. It is now part of Pakistan. The British Indian Army formed the 36th Sikhs Regiment under Colonel J. Cook in April 1894.
The Pashtuns sometimes attacked British troops. Thus, in August 1897, five companies of the 36th Sikhs were deployed at Samana Hills, Kurag, Sangar, Shaptop Dhar, and Saragarhi. Under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel John Haughton.
Saragarhi was established as a heliographic communication station between Fort Lockhart and Fort Gulistan, which were originally constructed by Raja Ranjit Singh. The two forts could not see one another. They were merged because of attacks by Pashtuns. It stood on a rocky ridge, which had a small blockhouse with loop-holed ramparts and a signal tower.
The rebel Afghans started to take over the fort, which was foiled by the 36th Sikhs. Afridi tribe joined the Afghans and attacked Fort Gulistan. But the attacks were driven back.
What Happened in Saragarhi War
Early in the morning on 12 September, 10,000 Afghans arrived at the signaling post of Saragarhi. It is thought that the sepoy Gurmukh Singh signaled Lieutenant Colonel John Haughton regarding the attack on Fort Lockhart. His reply was that he was not able to send immediate assistance to Saragarhi. But the valiant soldiers of the 36th Sikhs regiment were determined to fight despite all odds. They did not allow the enemy to approach the fort till the last moment.
In order to remain energized in the fight, they kept shouting the Sikh war cry “Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal. Sepoy Bhagwan Singh was martyred first by the enemy, while Naik Lal Singh got gravely injured. The 21 Sikhs were fighting very courageously, and even Afghan leaders tempted them to surrender.
A heroic act was demonstrated by Havildar Ishar Singh. He drove his remaining soldiers back to the inner line and fought with courage all by himself, killing the attackers. The sole survivor of Sikh sepoy Gurmukh Singh recounted the battle to Colonel John Haughton. This battle was excellent as it held up the Afghans in reaching Fort Gulistan. This gave time for reinforcements to arrive at the fort before it could be captured.
It was so valiant that the Pashtuns themselves admitted losing 180 of their men. While in actuality, almost 600 dead bodies were discovered. At the location where the relief party reached. The last remaining defender, Sepoy Gurmukh Sing, described the battle to Haughton.
The 21 Sikh soldiers and non-commissioned officers who lost their lives during the Battle of Saragarhi were from Punjab’s Majha. They were posthumously awarded the Indian Order of Merit equivalent to the current Param Vir Chakra.
Kesari Movie and Battle of Saragarhi
Kesari is a war film in the making, set on the Battle of Saragarhi. Akshay Kumar will be playing Havildar Ishar Singh, while Parineeti Chopra will be leading the cast. Other famous stars such as Mir Sarwar, Vansh Bhardwaj as Chanda Singh, Jaspreet Singh as Taklu, and Vivek Saini as Sipahi Jiwan Singh have also been hired.
If you enjoyed this film and you are a cinema lover, then you must watch These Hollywood Movies Release that have been awaited for years due to the Covid pandemic, but this film will attract the attention of the booming multiplex industry.