Friday, September 25, 2009

The Battle of Saragarhi

12th September marks the Battle of Saragarhi that took place in 1897. It is the incredible story of 21 Sikh soldiers against the ferocious Pathan (Afghan) tribesmen, numbering close to 10,000. The staggering ratio of 1: 416 stacked against the Sikhs was both unmatched and unprecedented, making their "last stand" at Saragarhi as the greatest odds faced by any troops in the history of modern warfare. 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.

A Glimpse at the Story of the Battle of Saragarhi

Saragarhi
Saragarhi was a communication relay post between Fort Lockhart and Fort Gulistan in the Sulaiman Range of the North Western Front Province. Since Lockhart and Gulitsan were not in a visual line of sight due to geographical attributes, a midway heliograph communication post (communication by capturing sunlight with a mirror and transmitting it via coded messages) was built at Saragarhi. The Saragarhi post was vital in ensuring the survival of these two Forts in specific and the defence of the region, in general.


Resistance from Local Tribes
The last decades of the 19th century the Russians were trying to make inroads into the Indian continent via Afghanistan and the British had to make several incursions into Afghanistan to prevent Afghan tribes allied with the Russian from taking over. In order to this the British used posts constructed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, during his Western campaign. Constant raids and skirmishes by violent and bloodthirsty tribesmen were a regular occurrence and the British Indian Army was in constant vigil. Castration, mutilation and skinning captured soldiers alive was one of the many ways tribal leaders instilled fear and control.


Sikhs Soldiers in the British Army

The relationship between the Sikh soldiers and the British Army started out of mutual admiration for each others' courage and tenacity in the battle during the First Anglo-Sikh War (1839-45) and the Second Anglo-Sikh War (1845-49). The inclusion of Sikh soldiers in the British Army was a testament to that admiration. The British recognised that the bravery, honesty, integrity, and fearlessness of the Sikh soldiers came from their faith, the Amrit they had taken and the Rehit (code of conduct) thay lived by, and therefore only Amritdhari Sikhs who prescribed to Rehit were enrolled in the army.


Plan for Attack
Before 12th September, numerous attempts were made by the Pathans to overrun the post but they failed due to calculated defensive actions by the Sikhs under the able leadership of Havildaar Ishar Singh, the detachment commander at Saragarhi. Unknown to the Sikhs, the Pathans were planning a major attack set for 12th September 1897 at 9am to destroy this vital post. The Pathan strategy was to block the reinforcement from Fort Lockhart and strike Saragarhi with no mercy. Havildaar Ishar Singh peered through his binoculars from the watch tower of his post. Through the magnified view, he could see columns upon columns and row upon rows of Pathans waving their swords and guns violently at the Sikhs. The dust kicked up by the thousands of horses temporarily blocked the sun rising over the horizon. The Pathan forces assembled before the Sikhs who were raring to go.


Call for Back-up

Sepoy Gurmukh Singh, the detachment signaller, began signalling to Fort Lockhart about their position: "ENEMY APPROACHING THE MAIN GATE ... NEED REINFORCEMENT". Lt Col Haughton, Commanding Officer of 36th Sikh Battalion, rushed his troops to help the outnumbered Sikhs but the Pathans had cut-off the supply route between Fort Lockhart and Saragarhi so that the Sikhs would be stangled into submission. Fort Lockhart transmitted back: "UNABLE TO BREAKTHROUGH ... HOLD POSITION". Saragarhi flashed back: "UNDERSTOOD". With that message, Lt Col Haughton had sealed the faith of the Sikhs at Saragarhi to certain death. As he watched from Fort Lockhart, Haugthon with his own eyes counted at least 10 enemy standards (each representing 1,000 tribesmen) facing the 21 Sikh soldiers.


The First Attack on the Fort

Like wild hordes on the loose, the Pathans howling at top of their voices rode with guns blazing onto the Sikhs in order to breach the main gate of the post. One of the sepoys sounded the army trumpet as per Havildaar Ishar Singh's command and in a flash they formed up two lines, one row in a squatting firing position and the other standing. With only having a few months of having been given a new type of rifle which was capable of firing ten rounds of 303 calibre bullets a minute, it proved to be more than a match to the muzzle loading rifles possessed by the tribesmen. Tribal leaders called for the Sikhs to surrender as their fight was the British and not with the Sikhs, however Havildaar Ishar Singh, a fearless Gursikh, just stared back at them with his piercing eyes.


The Sikh's Fire Bullets

The effective range of the Henry Martini rifle was around 600 yards (550m). Havildaar Ishar Singh held his order to fire until the enemy closed in within 250m from his post. Once the Pathans breached this marker, he yelled: "NAA DARRO AR SIO JAB JAAE LARRO" and in a loud chorus all the soldiers repeated: "NISCHAI KAR APNEE JEEET KARO" ... With the effective firing-range the Sikhs destroyed the first line of the Pathan advance. However reloading the guns were time consuming. From atop the post, Havildaar Ishar Singh saw again thousands of Pathans in rows upon rows, waiting to charge against them. Now the Pathans knew the actual strength of the Sikhs and planned for a massive assault on all flanks, a multi-pronged attack designed to divide the outnumbered Sikhs into much smaller groups thereby ensuring weaker defensive formations.


Second-Attack on the Fort

The attack this time was with such fury that the earth around the fort shook as the Pathan horsemen thundered across the barren land to slice the Sikhs into pieces. Havildaar Ishar Singh, unnerved by this onslaught, gave battle orders again: "SQUATTING SOLDIERS TO THE RIGHT ... STANDING SOLDIERS TO THE LEFT ... QUICKLY ... QUICKLY...", with clarity amid the chaos of battle. The highly disciplined Sikh soldiers followed the orders like clock-work. The tribesmen attacked in two formations, one towards the main gate and the other towards the gap at the fort. Havildaar Ishar Singh calculated that at least 150 tribesmen rode in this wave. He could see only the white of their eyes as the tribesmen approached closer, masking their faces. Undeterred, he and the other 20 soldiers roared like thunder, "BOLE SO NIHAL ... SAT SRI AKAAL!". The tribesmen's attack was repulsed once again by the Sikhs due to superior marksmanship and motivation but the soldiers' ranks and ammunitions also started to dwindle.


10 Soldiers Left
From 9am to 12pm the Sikhs had been charged at seven times and had been now left with 10 soldiers led by the wounded Havildaar Ishar Singh, who despite being injured by bullets and saber slashes continued his duties. The ammunition gradually finished and by 2pm, Sepoy Gurmukh Singh signalled Fort Lockhart Battalion HQ: "LOW ON AMMO ... NEED AMMO ... URGENTLY!". Lt Col Haughton sent some men to try and pass the ammunition to the trapped Sikhs, but again to no avail. As the Pathans attacked again, the 10 Sikhs repelled them back once again. The tribesmen now resorted to sitting fire to the bushes and scrubs around Fort. With the thick smoke the Sikhs could not see the enemy. The Battalion HQ in Fort Lockhart could clearly see the tribesmen approaching the breach in the fort due to their elevated position above Saragarhi. Lt Col Haugton frantically signalled Saragarhi: "ENEMY APPROCHING THE BREACH ...!" Havildaar Ishar Singh, due to injuries sustained, had to drag himself towards the breach, accompanied by two other soldiers, to stop the tribesmen from entering the fort. Out of ammunition, all three of them fixed their bayonets and charged the tribesmen. Overwhelmed by the sheer numbers facing them, all three fell were they stood bravely. At the same time, the tribesmen entered the main gate due to the thinning of the defensive lines. However, hand to hand fighting still took place inside the fort, in full view from Fort Lockhart.


Four Sikhs Left

Only 4 Sikhs were alive by the time the tribesmen breached the fort, with an additional soldier, Gurmukh Singh, in the nearby mound providing up to date situation report via heliograph. Out of ammunition, they did not lay down their weapons; instead, they formed an all round defensive position with their backs against each other, their bayonets pointing outwards. A force of nearly a hundred Pathans hacked the valiant Sikhs into pieces, but not before the Sikhs took a few heads with them. From Lockhart, soldiers were in utter disbelief of the raw courage displayed down below at Saragarhi and the stiff resistance put up by the remaining Sikhs. They simply gasped in awe of the action unfolding before their very eyes.


One Sikh Left
At 3.30pm Sepoy Gurmukh Singh transmitted: "MAIN GATE BREACHED ... DOWN TO ONE ... REQUEST PERMISSION TO DISMOUNT AND JOIN THE FIGHT ...!" Orders came back: "PERMISSION GRANTED!" 19-year old Gurmukh Singh disassembled his heliograph device, picked up his rifle and bravely went into the fort to join the fight. Soldiers at Fort Lockhart saw him disappear into the thick of the battle, right into the tribesmen line. They could only hear him roaring at the top of his voice: "JO BOLE SO NIHAAL ... SAT SRI AKAAL! ... JO BOLE SO NIHAAL, SAT SRI AKAAL...!" The third battle cry grew even more weaker, whilst Gurmukh Singh began choking on his blood as he stood there, bayoneting. Legend has it that he took down single-handedly 20 tribesmen before succumbing to the repeated slashes of the tribesmen's swords and the fire that was engulfing the post. Twitching, as his last breath left him, Sepoy Gurmukh Singh could hear in his mind the melodic Shabad of "DUKH BHANJAN" his mother had recited every evening in their home. He died, satisfied in the knowledge that he had done his duty and lived to his last breath with Kesh (hair) intact!


The Aftermath

Without the stiff resistance of the 21 Sikh soldiers at Saragarhi, both Fort Lockhart and Gulistan would have fallen to the enemy. By defending their position long enough for the relief column to arrive with artillery support, the 21 Sikh soldiers became the crucial factor in turning the tide of battle in their favour.The 21 Sikh soldiers fought on continuously for 7 punishing hours without food and water, completely surrounded, and pounded from all flanks. Unwearied by constant charges and mortal danger, they stood their ground against daunting odds, they repealed wave after wave of attack and fought till their last bullets. Even when out of ammunition, they did not abandon their post and instead chose to engage in a fatal hand to hand combat, till all made the ultimate sacrifice. When the relief column arrived a day later, they saw the burnt out bodies of all the 21 Sikh soldiers, together with at least 600 dead bodies of the tribesmen strewn only yards in front of their position.


News of Bravery Spreads
LT Col Haughton signaled his HQ in Punjab about the battle that had transpired. Within a few hours, tales of their bravery were making news across India. The Governor General of India, the Earl of Elgin, wrote a personal telegraph to Queen Victoria describing the bravery of the Sikhs soldiers defending the post till their death. The news reached the British House of Commons, and the tales of sacrifice of the 21 Sikh soldiers were narrated. At the end the of Chief Whip's speech, the entire parliament gave a rousing standing ovation to the Gallant 21 Sikhs, as their names were called out aloud in a symbolic roll call. The collective courage of the 21 Sikh soldiers moved Queen Victoria so much that she awarded the 21 Sikhs with the Indian Order Merit (IOM), which is the highest award for bravery given to colonial troops and it was equivalent to the British Victoria Cross. This was the only time in history of warfare where each soldier who took part in the same battle was given the highest award. Additionally, the Queen awared their next of kin with 500 rupees and 50 acres of land. Finally, a memorial cenotaph was to be erected near the place where all these 21 soldiers fell, as a perpetual record to the heroic action of these gallant soldiers.

Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Gursikh Photography and Filmmaking



Last year Bhai Atma Singh jee and Bhai Resham Singh jee, two UK-born Gursikh brothers from Slough (England) set up a photography and film-making business called Atma Images. You can see their professional work on their website: www.AtmaImages.com


Atma Images provides their services for weddings, events/functions, and also does portraits for individuals, families etc and commercial assignments (e.g. photography/filmmaking for businesses) nationwide. In following their Gurmat principles and beliefs, they only cover Anand Kaarajs (wedding ceremonies) of Amritdhari Gursikhs and don't offer their services to any event or function which involves the consumption of alcohol or meat.

In following Guru Jee's instructions, they give 10% of all their profits to charity. They also offer their skills to organisations doing Gurmat sevaa and running Panthic projects.

Atma Images are ideal for Gursikhs and also Gursikh businesses. Please support these Gursikhs.





Check www.AtmaImages.com for more of their creative work and further details.

Friday, September 04, 2009

Khalsa Camp 2009


For me Khalsa Camp 2009 has been the best in all years. The camp took place from 23rd August to 28th August at Preston. Guru Sahib showered so much kirpaa during the camp. The Sangat were blessed to have the company of three elder spiritual Gursikhs - Bhai Surjit Singh jee (from India), Bhai Jarnail Singh jee (UK), and Jathedaar Bhai Raghbir Singh jee (UK). In addition to that Giani Kulwinder Singh jee (Derby) blessed the Sangat with enlightening vichaar and sevaa during the week. The whole camp was "Naam" filled. From Amrit-velaa to evening the whole camp's focus and atmosphere was Naam - the talks, the keertan, the kathaa, the discussions, the conversations between campers etc.

The highlight of the camp as every year was the Amrit-Velaa diwaans. It is amazing how everyone wakes up early in the morning and joins in together to sing the praises of Waheguru and do Nitnem together and then be blessed to hear Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee talk to us. The talks by all the Gursikhs were great. Unfortunately I missed the first talk which was by Bhai Satnam Singh jee (Hayes). Bhai Tarsem Singh jee presented a beautiful poem he wrote himself on the need of Amrit & Rehat, followed by a talk on controlling the mind. Professor Virk (Derby) gave a great talk on Gurbani and Science, which showed that Gurbani is beyond Science and that we are blessed to have the Perfect True Guru. Bhai Surjit Singh jee (India) gave a mind blowing talk on Amrit, Naam and need of the Guru and also a talk on the importance of living a Guru-orientated life. The Q&A sessions were great. Daas learnt lots from the elder Gursikhs and the whole Sangat. It was great to have Darshan of the whole Saadh Sangat and spend a week in heaven.


Some photos (taken from Techno Singh's Flickr):


Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee Maharaaj at Amrit-Velaa.


Bhai Tarsem Singh jee doing a talk on Amrit, Rehat and the Mind.


Sangat in Lecture hall.


Professor Virk talk on Gurbani & Science.


Langar.


A young Amritdhari Bhenji from Finland during Parkaash Sevaa of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee. Campers were encouraged to do Sevaa and learn how to do things which perhaps they have never had an opportunity to do before.


Bhai Raghbir Singh jee and Bhai Jarnail Singh jee workshop.


Bhai Surjit Singh jee's workshop.


Youth & Social issues workshop with Veer Bhupinder Singh (Bass)


Bhenji Simrat Kaur jee leading workshop.


Night time discussion.


Bhai Surjeet Singh jee.


Elders and younger playing volleyball together :)


Archery.


Climbing frame. I found the net on the side hard to climb! I ended up falling backwards but others went straight up like Spiderman!


Darbaar Sahib. Waheguru.


4 year-old Manmohan Singh doing Keertan. Waheguroo. "Tin Dhan Janedee Maao".


Keertan. "Mil Saadhsangat Bhaj Keval Naam".


Final Q&A session.


Final talk by Bhai Joginder Singh jee (Leicester) who went through a Pauree (stanza) written by Bhai Gurdaas jee on the life of a Gursikh and how Bhai Gurdaas Jee praises such a Gursikh who follows the Guru's Path and wins the internal battle of overcoming duality (being in two minds), doubt, fear and panj chor etc.


Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee Maharaaj leaving the camp site.


Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee Maharaaj.


Note: All the Keertan from Khalsa Camp 2009 has been kindly uploaded by Sevadaars on www.SikhSoul.com


Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Boss Sikhi Camp 2009



From 13th to 19th August Sikhi Camp, which is organized by B.O.S.S., was held in North Wales. Guru Sahib did so much kirpaa and blessed everyone inspiration, devotion, and love for Sikhi. There were quite a few new campers who all enjoyed themselves and felt an inner awakening and thirst for Sikhi. As most years there were Gursikhs from India and abroad who shared their inspiration with campers as well. It was moving to see campers build up a relationship with Guru Sahib throughout the week and progress in their spiritual journey.

Unfortunately I went ill during the camp like many other people. With Guru Sahib's kirpaa Daas did NOT have Swine Flu (despite the whole world thinking I had Swine Flu. lol). It was unfortunate that I had to stay in bed for three days during the camp and missed out on the talks, Sangat, diwaans, and Darshan of Guru Sahib. However, the day I was allowed back in the camp was amazing. It was so great to have Guru Sahib's Darshan and have Darshan of the Sangat. In two or so days that I participated in the camp, the highlight of the camp for me was seeing Baba Ranjeet Singh Dhadrian wale and taking part in the morning Naam Abhiyaas they led in the Darbaar Sahib. The atmosphere during the Naam Abhiyaas was electrifying! Baba Jee is a great soul. I have never seen him before, and having heard and seen him you can feel and experience that he is a great soul who has been blessed with Guru Sahib to inspire others.

As always the last day of camp was emotional for everyone. Seeing Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee Maharaaj leave the camp site was moving. All the campers walked behind Guru Sahib as Guru Jee left the camp site. During the camp I had the opportunity to have Darshan of such blessed Gursikhs. The Sevadaars cooking Langar and certain other Sevadaars were just purely amazing. It was humbling how they did Sevaa very discreetly behind the scenes. "Gursikhaa Kee Har Dhoor De Ham Paapee Bhee Gat Paae."


Here's some photos (taken by others):


Campers having Darshan of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee Maharaaj.


Bhai Sardara Singh jee teaching martial arts to campers.


Campers hiking as part of the afternoon activities.


Sevadaars in Langar kitchen.


Langar being served.


Young children with Bhai Rupinder Singh jee came all the way from East London (a 6 hour drive) to do Parchaar and speak about 'satkaar' (respect) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee. Amazing sevaa.


Note: There's not many photos of Sikhi Camp 2009 up yet. I assume the official photos will be put up in a few weeks time or so.


Dhan Guru, Hai Teree Sikhee.



Lakh Lakh Vadhaayee to everyone on the Pehilaa Parkaash Diwaas of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee. Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee Maharaaj!