“Nischay Kar Apni Jeet Karon”—this powerful line, meaning “With determination, I shall win,” comes from the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh. It perfectly captures the brave spirit of the Sikh Regiment, one of the Indian Army’s infantry units. For more than 180 years, the soldiers of the Sikh Regiment have shown incredible bravery, strong loyalty, and made great sacrifices for India. Sikhs are easily recognized by their special turbans and beards (for Keshadhari Sikhs, who follow the Sikh religious practice of keeping uncut hair). Their famous war cry, “Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal!” (meaning “Whoever proclaims that God is Truth is blessed!”), has been heard on many battlefields. It scares enemies and makes their fellow soldiers feel proud and strong.
The story of the Sikh Regiment begins in the early 1800s with the army of the Sikh Empire, led by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. After wars between the Sikhs and the British (the Anglo-Sikh Wars), the British were very impressed by how well the Sikh soldiers fought. So, they started to include Sikh soldiers in the British Indian Army. In 1846, the first two official Sikh army groups, the Regiment of Ferozepore Sikhs and the Regiment of Ludhiana Sikhs, were created. These later became known as the 14th King George’s Own Ferozepore Sikhs and the 15th Ludhiana Sikhs. More Sikh groups were formed later. These groups became the foundation of the modern Sikh Regiment after India became independent in 1947.
Throughout its long and proud history, the Sikh Regiment has fought in almost every important war involving India. They have won an amazing number of awards for bravery. Their performance in the two World Wars was especially outstanding. During World War I (1914-1918), Sikh soldiers fought with great courage in the difficult conditions of France and Belgium (Flanders) and also in Gallipoli (Turkey), Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), Palestine, and East Africa. They earned many Victoria Crosses, which was the highest British award for bravery at that time.
In World War II (1939-1945), Sikh soldiers again showed their bravery in many places. They fought in North Africa against the German army led by Rommel (the Afrika Korps), in Italy (including the famous Battle of Monte Cassino), in Burma against the Japanese army, and also in Malaya and Hong Kong. They became famous for being strong, never giving up, and fighting fiercely in close combat. One example of such bravery is Naik Gian Singh of the 15th Punjab Regiment. (This regiment’s history is connected to the Sikh Regiment through later army reorganizations). He won a Victoria Cross in Burma during World War II for his incredible courage.
After India became independent in 1947, the Sikh Regiment continued its tradition of bravery in all of India’s wars.
In the 1947-48 Indo-Pak War, Sikh soldiers played a very important part in defending Kashmir. In battles like Tithwal, Lance Naik Karam Singh showed amazing bravery. He defended his post against many enemy attacks and was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), India’s highest award for courage in battle.
During the 1962 Sino-Indian War with China, Sikh soldiers fought bravely in the high mountains of the Himalayas, even when they had fewer soldiers and weapons than the enemy. Subedar Joginder Singh of the 1st Battalion, Sikh Regiment (1 SIKH), earned a PVC for his heroic actions at Bum La in Arunachal Pradesh. He and his small group of soldiers fought until the very end.
In the 1965 Indo-Pak War, the regiment fought hard in many intense battles in Punjab and Kashmir, again winning many awards for bravery.
The regiment also played a big role in the 1971 Indo-Pak War, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. Sikh soldiers fought in important battles on both the eastern and western borders, helping India win the war.
More recently, in the Kargil War of 1999, the Sikh Regiment once again showed its strength and determination. They fought in very difficult high-altitude areas to push back Pakistani soldiers who had crossed into Indian territory.
One of the most famous stories of bravery in the history of the Sikh Regiment, and even in world military history, is the Battle of Saragarhi. This battle took place on September 12, 1897. At an army post called Saragarhi, located in the Samana Range (in the North-West Frontier Province, now part of Pakistan), 21 soldiers of the 36th Sikhs (this unit is now the 4th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment, or 4 SIKH) faced a huge army of about 10,000 Afghan and Orakzai tribesmen.
Led by Havildar Ishar Singh, these 21 brave heroes defended their post for over six hours. They fought until every single one of them was killed, but they caused heavy losses to the attackers. The story of their bravery was sent by a light-signaling device called a heliograph to a nearby fort, Fort Lockhart. All 21 soldiers were posthumously (after their death) awarded the Indian Order of Merit Class III. At that time, this was the highest bravery award an Indian soldier could receive. The Sikh Regiment remembers their sacrifice every year on Saragarhi Day (September 12th).
The main training center for the Sikh Regiment is in Ramgarh Cantonment, in the state of Jharkhand. The regiment’s strong motto, its long history of sacrifice, and the deep faith of its soldiers all contribute to its powerful reputation as “lions of the frontline,” always ready to defend India with unmatched courage.
