The first UK memorial of its kind commemorating the bravery of 19th-century Sikh soldiers was officially unveiled in Wolverhampton on Sunday 12 September, 2021.
The city’s new Saragarhi Monument, which stands in Well Lane in Wednesfield, is the first statue in the country to specifically honour the fallen soldiers and has been unveiled on the date of the Battle of Saragarhi.
The guest list at the ceremony included the Jathedar of the Akal Takht and appointed head of the Sikhs of the world, Giani Harpreet Singh, who flew from India to attend, members of the British Army, Saragarhi expert Doctor Gurunderpal Singh Josan who travelled from America and 3 descendants of the battle’s soldiers.
They joined a huge crowd, including members of the Sikh faith, City of Wolverhampton Council’s Leader, Councillor Ian Brookfield Mayor, Councillor Greg Brackenridge and deputy chief executive Mark Taylor as well as MP Preet Kaur Gill, the first Sikh female member of parliament, other city dignitaries and members of the local community.
Black Country sculptor Luke Perry created the memorial, which was commissioned by Wednesfield’s Guru Nanak Gurdwara.
Members of the congregation undertook a massive £100,000 fundraising programme for the monument, with donations made by the temple and the project supported by the community.
City of Wolverhampton Council also contributed £35,000 towards the memorial after it agreed to transfer land to the Gurdwara on a 99-year lease.
The completed sculpture includes an 8-metre steel backplate with commemorative wording, depicting the hills and forts at Saragarhi, as well as the bronze figure of a Sikh soldier. The statue, which is 10 feet tall, stands on top of a 6-foot plinth.
The memorial commemorates the Battle of Saragarhi, a conflict that took place on 12 September 1897. The conflict saw 21 soldiers from the 36th Sikh Regiment of the British Indian Army fight against thousands of Afghan tribesmen.
Saragarhi Day is commemorated by the Indian Army's 4th battalion of the Sikh regiment every year on 12 September.
Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing at City of Wolverhampton Council and ward member for Wednesfield South, worked closely with the Gurdwara to develop plans for the memorial.
