Ishar Singh (Battle of Saragarhi)
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Havildar Ishar Singh was the leader of the 36th Sikhs of the Sikh Regiment.
Singh is best known for fighting a last stand against 10,000 Afghan Pathans with only 20 other Sikh soldiers in the defense of Fort Lockhart, (now in north-west Pakistan) during the battle of Saragarhi. After sustained resistance, Singh was fighting alone but refused to surrender [1]. He was overwhelmed by Afghani forces. The contingent of the twenty one Sikhs that were led by Havildar Ishar Singh all chose to fight to the death instead of surrendering. In recognition of their supreme sacrifice, the British Parliament rose to pay them respect, and each one of them was awarded the Indian Order of Merit. In the West, it has been compared to the Battle of Thermopylae. Sikh military personnel and Sikh non-miltary people commemorate the battle around the World every year on September 12th, it is referred to as "Saragarhi Day".
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