Battle of Saragarhi

Part of Tirah Campaign War

Date	12 September 1897
Location	Tirah, North-West Frontier Province, British India (modern day Pakistan)
Result	Afghan Pashtun military victory; British Indian strategic victory

Belligerents

British Empire

India

Pashtuns (Afridi/Orakzai)

Commanders and leaders

Havildar Ishar Singh †

Gul Badshah

Units involved

36th Sikhs of British Indian Army

Afghan Orakzais and Afridis

Strength

10000

Casualties and losses

21 killed (100%)

180 killed (Afghan claim)
~450 killed (British Indian estimates)^*
Many wounded (number unknown)

* 600 Afghan bodies were found at the battlefield. Most of whom were killed by the artillery fire from the British Indian relief party that recaptured the fort.

Saragarhi Day
Official name	Saragarhi Day
Observed by	India (also observed by Sikhs worldwide)
Type	national & international
Significance	Honors the 21 military Sikh soldiers who died at the Battle of Saragarhi
Observances	Parades, school history projects, government buildings
Date	12 September (or nearest weekday)
Related to	Remembrance Day

Coordinates: 33°33′15″N 70°53′15″E / 33.55417°N 70.88750°E / 33.55417; 70.88750

British Empire

The Battle of Saragarhi was fought before the Tirah Campaign on 12 September 1897 between British Indian Army and Afghan Orakzai tribesmen. It occurred in the North-West Frontier Province (now Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan).

The British Indian contingent comprised 21 Sikhs of the 36th Sikhs (now the 4th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment), who were stationed at an army post attacked by around 10,000 Afghans. The Sikhs, led by Havildar Ishar Singh, chose to fight to the death, in what is considered by some military historians as one of history's greatest last-stands. The post was recaptured two days later by another British Indian contingent.

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Wikipedia