The Sikh Regiments and the British
The first Sikh war in 1845 commenced with the crossing of the Sutlej by the Khalsa fauj (Sikh Army).
The Battle of Mudki then followed and the British under General Gaugh were suitably impressed by the fighting qualities of the Sikh soldiers.
Just before the annexation of the Punjab the British created the first Sikh regiment.
These regiments came in handy during the 1857 mutiny when the Sikhs sided with the British against the mutineers.
In the siege of Lucknow and the defense of Arrah the Sikhs displayed their loyalty and bravery and won their first 2 battle honors.
The tag of a martial race was now added to them by the English who realized their potential and embarked on a vast recruitment campaign in the Punjab.
Thus the Sikhs with a population of 1.
8% of the entire India had representation of 20% in the British Indian army.
In addition after 1857 Sikh soldiers were given one extra promotion over other sepoys of the Indian army.
The Sikh regiments were used for internal security duties as well as operations against the Afghans.
They were also deployed overseas to far off places like Honking and Singapore.
The First World War is a watershed in the history of the Sikhs and their association with the Brits.
During this war they were used by the Allies in all theatres of the war.
As a corollary 28 Sikhs soldiers won battle honors.
The British generous as ever rewarded the Sikh with good perks in the form of land and assets in the Punjab.
The Second World War followed and again the Sikh regiments fought for the empire with great loyalty and bravery.
A few Sikh soldiers who were taken POW did join The Indian National Army led by Netaji Subhas Bose but they were a minuscule minority and the majority of Sikh soldiery remained loyal to the Raj.
It is worth noting that over 83000 Sikh wearing the turban died during the two world wars fighting for the British.
The English have always had a high regard for the fighting qualities of the Sikhs.
Even as late as the early twenty-first century the United Kingdom had toyed with a proposal to incorporate a Sikh regiment for the British army.
Prince Charles was in favor, but the plans fell through.
The bravery of the Sikhs is legendary as can be seen from the battle of Saragarhi in1897 where 21 Sikhs faced a Moslem horde of 10,000.
Much water has flown down the river and the Raj is now history.
But the role of the Sikhs in the service of the British Indian army will live for ever.
India is independent and the Sikh regiments are now part of the Indian army.
But what can never be erased is the role, bravery and loyalty of the Sikh soldiers which is a golden page in the military history of India.
Sir Winston Churchill openly expressed his gratitude to the Sikhs.
It is an emotional thought that will live for ever.
The Battle of Mudki then followed and the British under General Gaugh were suitably impressed by the fighting qualities of the Sikh soldiers.
Just before the annexation of the Punjab the British created the first Sikh regiment.
These regiments came in handy during the 1857 mutiny when the Sikhs sided with the British against the mutineers.
In the siege of Lucknow and the defense of Arrah the Sikhs displayed their loyalty and bravery and won their first 2 battle honors.
The tag of a martial race was now added to them by the English who realized their potential and embarked on a vast recruitment campaign in the Punjab.
Thus the Sikhs with a population of 1.
8% of the entire India had representation of 20% in the British Indian army.
In addition after 1857 Sikh soldiers were given one extra promotion over other sepoys of the Indian army.
The Sikh regiments were used for internal security duties as well as operations against the Afghans.
They were also deployed overseas to far off places like Honking and Singapore.
The First World War is a watershed in the history of the Sikhs and their association with the Brits.
During this war they were used by the Allies in all theatres of the war.
As a corollary 28 Sikhs soldiers won battle honors.
The British generous as ever rewarded the Sikh with good perks in the form of land and assets in the Punjab.
The Second World War followed and again the Sikh regiments fought for the empire with great loyalty and bravery.
A few Sikh soldiers who were taken POW did join The Indian National Army led by Netaji Subhas Bose but they were a minuscule minority and the majority of Sikh soldiery remained loyal to the Raj.
It is worth noting that over 83000 Sikh wearing the turban died during the two world wars fighting for the British.
The English have always had a high regard for the fighting qualities of the Sikhs.
Even as late as the early twenty-first century the United Kingdom had toyed with a proposal to incorporate a Sikh regiment for the British army.
Prince Charles was in favor, but the plans fell through.
The bravery of the Sikhs is legendary as can be seen from the battle of Saragarhi in1897 where 21 Sikhs faced a Moslem horde of 10,000.
Much water has flown down the river and the Raj is now history.
But the role of the Sikhs in the service of the British Indian army will live for ever.
India is independent and the Sikh regiments are now part of the Indian army.
But what can never be erased is the role, bravery and loyalty of the Sikh soldiers which is a golden page in the military history of India.
Sir Winston Churchill openly expressed his gratitude to the Sikhs.
It is an emotional thought that will live for ever.