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The work commemorates the Battle of Saragarhi, considered by some military historians as one of history's great last stands. During the battle on 12th September 1897, 21 Sikhs died defending a British army post. The statue depicts a Sikh Soldier in defiant stance drawing his sword. That statue stands atop a polished black granite plinth.

Title

Saragahi Sikh Memorial

Date

2021

Medium

bronze & granite

Measurements

H 300 x W (?) x D (?) cm

Accession number

WV11_AEB_S001

Acquisition method

commissioned by Guru Nanak Gurdwara and supported by City of Wolverhampton Council

Work type

War memorial

Owner

Guru Nanak Gurdwara

Custodian

City of Wolverhampton Council

Work status

extant

Unveiling date

12th September 2021

Access

at all times

Inscription description

semi-circular metal banner: 1897 / 21 SIKHS FOUGHT 10,000 TRIBESMEN AT THE BATTLE OF SARAGARHI.; plinth side 1: Dedicated to the brave men of the 36th Sikh Regiment / who fought to the last man defending their outpost at the / Battle of Saragarhi / 12th September 1897 (names); plinth side 2: on the morning of 12th September 1897, 21 Sikh Soldiers of the 36th Sikh Regiment / came under attack from over ten thousand Afghan tribesmen. / the battle raged on throughout the day as one by one the soldiers of the regiment / fell but still the tribesmen could not force their way into the outpost. / At approximately 3pm Havidar Ishar Singh gave the orders for the remaining soldiers to / retreat into the inner section and to hold out as long as possible. / Around 3.30pm as the north wall began to give way and collapse / the tribesmen began to rush in. / Havidar Ishar Singh along with his comrades had now completely run out of / ammunition and had only a sword to defend himself so he set upon the tribesmen / until he too fell. / Within a matter of minutes the outpost was overrun and only one soldier remained; / Signalman Gurmukh Singh who then sent the following message via / heliograpgh back to Fort lockhart. / “All my comrades have fallen, permission to leave my post”. / The following message came back “ permission granted”. / Signalman Gurmukh Singh left his post and charged at the tribesmen until he himself fell. / An eyewitness account from one of the soldiers who arrived at the outpost / two days later said he saw 19 dead tribesmen aound the body of Gurmukh Singh. / When the British government came aware of the bravery of / these gallant men they awarded Each soldiers family 500 Rupees and 50 Acres of land, / Posthumously Each soldier received the Indian |Order of Merit class 3 medal, / the highest award any native soldier could gain.; plinth side 3: We the Sikh community of Wednesfield Wolverhampton / also acknowledge the heroic actions and contributions of / NEC Camper Khuda Dadh / the regiments cook who took up arms and fought / alongside his brothers to the end. Plinth side 4: Grateful thanks to the City of / Wolverhampton for their help and support.

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