September 12 to be observed Saragarhi Day

CHANDIGARGH: Punjab will observe September 12 as Saragarhi Day to commemorate the battle of Saragarhi, fought on this date in 1897. It will be a state holiday and celebrated every year.

This was announced by Chief Captain Amarinder Singh while addressing 3 Sikh soldiers with whom he was spending the Independence eve night.

The battle was fought by a small platoon minus of the 36th Sikhs which battled against 8,000 tribals. The valiant men fought for 6 hours and 45 minutes before all 22 fell. They chose death rather than surrender. They knew it was their last day on earth but refused to give up.

A state-level function will be held on September 12, 2017 at the

Saragarhi Gurdwara

in Ferozepur, to mark the occasion, which will be presided by

Finance Minister

Manpreet Badal in the absence of the Chief Minister, who will in London for the launch of his book on Saragarhi, as part of the Saragarhi Battle celebrations.

Amarinder Singh had in April unveiled his latest book celebrating the role of Sikh soldiers and had also promised to hold a literature fest on defence history and build memorials for heroes of the battle at Saragarhi. The book titled "The 36th Sikhs in the

Tirah Campaign

1897-98 - Saragarhi and the defence of the Samana forts" was a homage to the 21 men of the 36th Sikhs, who, led by

Havaldar Ishar Singh

, laid their lives fighting one of the greatest last stands of all times.

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