Source: IE
Context: Saragarhi Day, observed on September 12, commemorates the 1897 Battle of Saragarhi, one of the most remarkable last stands in military history.
- Saragarhi was a key communication post between Fort Lockhart and Fort Gulistan in the North-West Frontier Province (now in Pakistan).
About Battle of Saragarhi:
- On this day, 21 soldiers of the 36th Sikhs regiment, led by Havildar Ishar Singh, defended the fort against over 8,000 Afridi and Orakzai tribal militants for seven hours.
- The bravery of the soldiers was recognized with posthumous honors, including the Indian Order of Merit, awarded by Queen Victoria.
- In 2017, the Punjab government declared Saragarhi Day a holiday.
- The battle has since been immortalized in various ways, including memorials, a film (Kesari), and remembrance events in both India and Pakistan.
