Sikhs in the British Indian Army facts for kids

Men of the Loodiaah (Ludhiana) Sikh Regiment during the Second Opium War in China, around 1860

Sikhs are a group of people known for their bravery and strong beliefs. For a long time, they played a very important role in the British Indian Army. This army was part of the British rule in India, known as the British Raj. Sikh soldiers were famous for their courage and fighting skills.

They fought in many big conflicts. These included the amazing Battle of Saragarhi, where a small group of Sikhs showed incredible bravery. They also served with honor in both the First World War and the Second World War. During these wars, they fought in places like Malaya, Burma, and Italy.

Sikh Soldiers Before 1914

Before the big world wars, Sikh soldiers were already making a name for themselves.

Joining the Army

A long time ago, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a powerful Sikh ruler, sent 1,200 Sikh soldiers to help the Nizam's army in Hyderabad. After Maharaja Ranjit Singh passed away, the British took control of the Sikh kingdom. This was one of the last parts of India the British conquered. After this, the British started asking many Sikhs to join their army because they knew how brave and skilled they were.

The Brave Battle of Saragarhi

One of the most famous stories of Sikh bravery is the Battle of Saragarhi. This battle happened on September 12, 1897. A small group of only 21 Sikh soldiers from the 36th Sikhs regiment faced a huge attack. About 10,000 Afghan fighters attacked their small fort.

Led by Havildar Ishar Singh, these 21 soldiers decided to fight until the very end. They chose not to give up, even though they were greatly outnumbered. They fought for many hours, holding off the huge enemy force. Because of their amazing sacrifice, the British Parliament honored them. Each of these brave soldiers received the Indian Order of Merit. This award was like the Victoria Cross, which is a very high honor for bravery.

Sikhs in World War One

During the First World War, Sikh soldiers were often called the "Black Lions." After the war, they became known as the "Lions of the Great War." They were allowed to use their traditional Sikh weapons. These included items like the chakram (a throwing weapon) and the talwar (a type of sword). It was also common to see their holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, carried with them. Sometimes, it was even brought to the front lines where they were fighting. This showed their strong faith and spirit.

Sikhs in World War Two

Sikh soldiers continued to show great courage in the Second World War.

Fighting in Malaya

In the Battle of Malaya, the army had over 100,000 soldiers. More than 60 percent of the Indian soldiers fighting against the Japanese in Malaysia and Singapore were Sikhs. They played a very important part in trying to stop the Japanese invasion.

Defending Burma

Sikhs also fought bravely in the Burma Campaign. They helped stop the Japanese from invading India. After that, they helped push the Japanese out of Burma, which is now called Myanmar. Their efforts were very important in these battles.

Battles in Italy

Sikh soldiers also served with great honor during the Allied invasion of Italy. They showed their skills and bravery in many tough battles there.

Images for kids

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  A Sikh soldier with a captured Swastika flag.

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  A company of 15th Sikhs in Le Sart, France, 1915.

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  A group of British and Indian officers from the 15th Sikhs in Le Sart, France, 1915.

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  A drawing of John George Smyth VC.

See also

• Indian Army during World War I