Battle of Saragarhi: Books galore, movies coming up
Many civilians have made it their life’s mission to document the bravery of 21 soldiers of 36th Sikhs against 10,000 Pashtun Orakzai tribals in September 1897.
Battle of Saragarhi was fought in the rugged mountains of North-West Frontier Province 120 years ago, but it still continues to inspire countless soldiers across the world. Many civilians have made it their life’s mission to document the bravery of 21 soldiers of 36th Sikhs against 10,000 Pashtun Orakzai tribals in September 1897.
Battle of Saragarhi: 120 years later, story of valour of 21 Sikhs lives on
Like Bhagat Singh, the Battle is inspiring a number of films, all at almost the same time.
‘Battle of Saragarhi’ is an upcoming Hindi film directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, that stars Randeep Hooda, Vikramjeet Virk. It is slated to hit the cinema halls next year.
Karan Johar and Akshay Kumar are said to be co-producing a film titled ‘Kesar’, also based on the Battle of Saragarhi. The film will be directed by Punjabi film director, Anurag Singh
Actor Ajay Devgn has gone on record stating that he is also making a film on the Battle of Saragarhi. It will be called ‘Sons of Sardaar: The Battle of Saragarhi’. Devgn says it will be an epic, big-budget, war film.
Books, books, books
As far as the written word is concerned, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh, who has a penchant for military history, has written about the battle. Some of the books written about the same are:
1. Saragarhi and the Defence of the Samana Forts: The 36th Sikhs in the Tirah Campaign 1897-98 by Amarinder Singh (2017)
2.Saragarhi. The Forgotten Battle by Rohit Daroch (2014)
3. The epic Battle of Saragarhi by Gurinderpal Singh Josan (2014)
4. Saragarhi: The Forgotten Battle by Jay Singh-Sohal (2013)
5. The Battle of Saragarhi, The Last Stand of the 36th Sikh Regiment (English Graphic Novel) by Daljeet Singh Sidhu & Amarjit Virdi (2011)
6. Saragarhi by Jessi Thind (2007)
7. Saragarhi Battalion: Ashes to Glory : History of the 4th Battalion, the Sikh Regiment (XXXVI) by H S Ahluwalia and Kanwaljit Kaur-Singh (1987)
