- Aug 2014
- 1,273
- pakistan
A thread about battle of Saraghari by Nafees Ur Rehman on twitter
battle of Saragarhi
- Thread starter Azad67
- Start date
Much of the lionisation of Sikhs is based wholly upon how they were "marketed" by the British much like the Gurkhas and it is incredible how it still continues to linger to this day. It is a shame that the modern-day Indian Army also adheres to such outdated notions.
In any case, anyone with a healthy sense of scepticism would have noted that 36 men standing successfully against 1000+ men is a ridiculous notion.
In any case, anyone with a healthy sense of scepticism would have noted that 36 men standing successfully against 1000+ men is a ridiculous notion.
Read the thread, 21 did stand against 10000+ nobody ever said it was a victory though, it was a last stand, one of the greastest last stand if i may add, they did stood their ground knowing fully well what would have happen if they stood their ground, every single sikh who died in saraigarhi deserves the lionization, even the thread starter said nothing against the sikhs rather failure of british thay led to death of those brave men
Kevinmeath
Ad Honoris
- May 2011
- 14,079
- Navan, Ireland
The Sikhs served the British loyally and well, how is it just marketing?
Now I haven't studied the Sikhs in British service as such I have however read a great deal about the Gurkhas and sorry they are not just 'marketing' their combat record is outstanding.
The British army still recruits Gurkhas and they enjoy a very good reputation.
Why not?
They were a minor signals detachment holding a 'fort' between two larger forts they bravely held out (or rather attempted to) when attacked by huge numbers of 'rebels' (depending on your point of view).
Now like all such minor actions they can be blown out of all proportion especially as they make great stories but certainly the troops involved were very brave.
Are you familiar with the term "martial race" which only applied to groups that were loyal to the British in 1857? The Sikhs were marketed or rather portrayed as "martial race" due to their loyalty, not because of any inherent skill that made them more adept as soldiers and this idea of "martial race communities" still lingers in the Indian Army:
The Gurkhas are yet another group who were cultivated by the British:
Aupmanyav
Ad Honorem
- Jun 2014
- 5,858
- New Delhi, India
That is a myth, and not how Indian Army recruits its soldiers today. They have to recruit people from all states strictly in proportion with their population. Now if Sikhs in Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan or UP are selected; it is not because they are Sikhs, but because they reside in that state. Actually the Sikhs are at a disadvantage according to the prevailing rules, their numbers in Army have gone down and there have been protests. It is possible that members of families of soldiers/ex-soldiers get some preference, I do not exactly know that rule.
My statement was more in reference to the division of regiments based on British-era names like "Jat Regiment", "Rajput Regiment" etc. Also the Presidents guard is selected through membership of particular castes:
President's Bodyguards only for Rajput, Jat, Sikhs for functional requirement, admits Army to SC
- Aug 2014
- 1,273
- pakistan
And they knew very well what would happen to them if they surrender to their enemies. They would be tortured to death by their enemies. So they had no choice but to fight and wait for the rescue. These were not Akali zealots fighting for martyrdom, these were soldiers on salary fighting for Queen Victoria and they were hoping to return safely to their homes. As they knew what besiegers would do to them if captured alive, they fought hard and desperately. They could not be rescued and got wiped out.
The question arises why India is focusing so much on battle of Saragarhi?. Sikhs had their own empire and armies of Ranjeet Singh repeatedly defeated Kabuli armies and Pashtun lashkars, why not highlight that?. My understanding is that those 21 Sikhs were soldiers of 'Indian army' of British-Indian empire and the modern Indian army is its successor. So promoting battle of Saraghari promotes Indian nationalism among Sikhs and integrates them with India. While promoting Ranjeet Singh on media is tricky, it might arouse Sikh nationalism in another manner and might make Sikhs wishful to have their own independent state like they used to have in early 19th century. Sikh insurgency was not long time ago.
- Feb 2019
- 97
- Mumbai
Irregardless, its still impressive how 21 sikhs managed to hold ground. Humans seem psychologically wired to support the underdog, which is possibly why all 'last stands' are seen as glorious and are often celebrated to the point where we decide that those who lost were 'good guys' and those who won were 'bad guys'.
On the second point, I think you are reading too much into it. As mentioned above, its an impressive feat no matter which angle you look at it from.
Kevinmeath
Ad Honoris
- May 2011
- 14,079
- Navan, Ireland
I am aware that the British tended to recruit amongst 'martial' races and I agree its a largely dubious concept, no people have an inherent skill to be soldiers.
Some cultures can encourage attitudes etc but generally we are all the same.
However that doesn't mean the Sikhs were not loyal and very good soldiers.
They were recruited because they were very loyal and fought well (still are), one thing that most people don't realise that selection for British service (don't know about others) is highly selective.