Sikh Valour - Battle of Saragarhi

Saragarhi is the incredible story of 21 men of the 36th Sikh Regiment (currently the 4th Sikh Regiment) against 10,000 Afghan and Orakazais tribesmen who gave up their lives in devotion to their duty. In keeping with Khalsa traditions, they fought to the death rather than surrender. The Battle at Saragarhi is one of eight stories of collective bravery published by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). It has been mentioned as one of the five most significant events of its kind in the world which includes the Saga of Thermoplyae associated with the heroic stand of a small Greek force against the mighty Persian Army of Xerxes in 480 B.C.

Whereas the odds in the battle of Thermoplyae can be calculated at 71 Persian invaders for every greek soldier the Battle of Saragarhi equates to 476 invaders for every Sikh soldier. These figures can be verified by the Imperial War Museum and UNESCO.

All the 21 Sikh non-commissioned officers and soldiers of other ranks who laid down their lives in the Battle of Saragarhi were posthumously awarded the Indian Order of Merit, the highest gallantry award of that time, which an Indian soldier could receive by the hands of the British crown, the corresponding gallantry award being Victoria Cross. This award is equivalent to today's Param Vir Chakra awarded by the President of India.