The real story of Kesari: When 21 Sikh soldiers faught 10000 Afgan Tribesmen at Battle of Saragarhi

The real story of Kesari is like

They call the Battle of Saragarhi as one of the greatest last stands in military history, When 21 sikh soldiers held fort against more than 10000 rampaging tribesmen for over six hours. Nearly 120 years after it happened, the story of the battle of saragarhi is finally going out to the world. After the Netflix series 21 sarfarosh: saragarhi 1897, the story will be retold through Kesari the film in which Akshay Kumar plays Havildar Ishar Singh. Till you get to the series or the film, here`s a recap of what really went down on that day in 1897.

Where is Saragarhi?

Back in the 19th century, Saragarhi was a tiny, nondescript village in what was then the North West Frontier Province. Today it stands a few hour outside Peshawar near Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Who fought the Battle of saragarhi?

The epic battle of saragarhi was fought between 21 soldiers from the 36th regiment of the British Indian Army and over 10000 Pashtun tribesmen. The battle took place nearly two decades after the Second Anglo-Afghan war. The British army, trying to gain control of the hilly Central Asian provinces, was in a long-standing conflict with local tribes and clans. Many battles were fought, with hundreds of Indian foot soldiers martyred towards the British cause.

What happened in the Battle of Saragarhi?

Fort Gulistan and Fort Lockhart in Afghanistan were two fortresses under British control at that time. The forts would communicate with each other by using mirrors to flash Morse coded messages. But the distance between them was quite a bit, and so, Saragarhi was set up as a signalling station to relay message from one end to other. 21 soldiers from the 36th Sikh Regiment were deputed to guard this post. There are reports of an impending attack on the forts by local Afgan clans. Everyone is on guard. On the morning of 12 September, a sentry at Saragarhi sees a dust cloud rise in the distance. Signalman Gumukh Singh flashes the message to the two forts. Word comes back: the tribes are coming. 10000 maybe 14000. “Need reinforcements.” Saragarhi flashes the message through their mirrors. “Unable to break through. Hold fort”, comes the response.And so they do, over the next six hours, the 21 sikh soldiers led by Havildar Ishar Singh fight off wave of the Afgan warriors. With their 0.303 caliber single-loading rifles, they take aim: every shot is fatal. Stunned by the causalities, the Afgan forces recoil and try to buy peace: they offer the soldiers riches and a safe passage. But the principle Khalsa warrior refuse. And the battle rages on. Now the tribes try another tact: they try to smoke the soldiers out by setting the shrubs nearby on fire. That doesn't work but the tribesmen manage to breach the post. And yet, Havildar Ishar Singh and his men held on. Low on ammunition, Saragarhi again ask the British command for help. None arrives. Ishar Singh orders his men to fall back to secure the last line of defense. He himself holds on, with his pistol and sword. He fights one warrior after another. It`s now down to the last few men. Even with his life at risk, Signalman Gurumukh Singh flashes a message to the superiors, seeking permissions to swap the mirrors for a gun. And then, with a shout of “Jo Bole Sau Nihal, Sat Sri Akal,” the 19 years old soldier joined the battle. And the battle goes on.

So who won the battle of Saragarhi?

The 21 sikh soldiers killed between 180-600 Afghan tribesmen. Eventually each of the soldiers succumbed, but they had faught through the day, giving Fort Lockhart and Fort Gulistan enough time to prepare. They had also inflicted heavy losses on the invading forces. Saragarhi fell, but was soon recaptured by the British forces.