Havildar Ishar Singh remains an iconic personality for his absolute bravery during the “Battle of Saragarhi” and for being a true leader who strove just for the comfort and safety of his troops.
Wiki/Biography
Havildar Ishar Singh was born in a farming family in Jagraon tehsil of Ludhiana district of Punjab. She was married to Gurinderpal Singh Josan.
livelihood
Ishar Singh dreamed of becoming a soldier and at the age of 18, he got a chance to fulfill his dream by joining the Punjab Frontier Force. For most of his life, he remained on the battlefield under regimental number 165. Soon after the 36th Sikh Regiment was raised in 1887, he was recruited into it.
Soldiers of the 36th Sikh Regiment in 1896
In August 1897, the 36th Sikh Regiment, led by Lieutenant Colonel John Houghton, was divided into 5 groups and sent to the North West Frontier Province. Groups of troops were deployed in Samana Hills, Coorg, Sangar, Sahatop Dhar and Saragarhi. A group of 21 soldiers of the 36th Regiment under the leadership of Ishar Singh was stationed in Saragarhi. A small village in Saragahi, a border district of Kohat, was a simple place as it connected Fort Lockhart and Fort Gulistan. Being the common link of communication between the three outposts, it was a target of the Afghans and Orakzai tribesmen.
Saragarhi on the map
On 12 September 1897, Gurmukh Singh, a signalman in the regiment, warned Lieutenant Colonel John Houghton about the advance of the Afghans (more than 10,000) towards Fort Lockhart. Houghton was unable to do anything in that situation and could not send any reinforcements.
Soldiers of 36th Sikh Regiment
At this point, leader Ishar Singh and his men decided not to retreat and decided to fight “Battle of Saragarhi” to the death. During this war, fighting with great zeal and enthusiasm, these 21 soldiers killed about 200 Afghans.
battle of saragarhi
The seriously injured soldiers continued fighting for 8 hours without any interruption. When they ran out of bullets and shells, they engaged in hand-to-hand combat. His sacrifice did not go in vain, ultimately the enemies were defeated.
Havildar Ishar Singh with his soldiers
ruins of saragarhi
award
- Indian Order of Merit Class III
Death
On 12 September 1897, Ishar Singh was martyred after fighting in the “Battle of Saragarhi” at Tirah, North-West Frontier Province of British India (now Pakistan).
fact
- British historian Major General James Lunt stated that Ishar Singh had a somewhat turbulent character, whose independent nature had caused him to come into conflict with his military superiors more than once. Thus, Ishar Singh – in the camp, a troublemaker, brilliant in the field.
- Two Saragarhi Memorial Gurdwaras were built in Firozpur and Amritsar to honor the 21 Sikh soldiers of the 36th Sikh Regiment.
Saragarhi Memorial Gurdwara Amritsar (left) and Saragarhi Memorial Gurdwara Firozpur (right)
- As a tribute to the 21 brave Sikh soldiers, 12 September is celebrated as “Saragarhi Day”.
- After his martyrdom, none of his family members joined the army.
- Many biopics have been made on Havildar Ishar Singh, but ‘Kesari’ (2019), starring Akshay Kumar in his role, has been the most famous film and has been successful in drawing the public’s attention towards the real heroes.
Akshay Kumar in Kesari
- He is often confused with Captain Ishar Singh, a soldier of the British Indian Army.
- After the death of Havildar Ishar Singh, his brother murdered his wife and was imprisoned in Kala Pani (Andaman and Nicobar).
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Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn