Personal Life
Date of Death | 12/09/1897 |
---|---|
Place of Death | Tirah, North-West Frontier Province, British India (now Pakistan) |
Death Cause | Martyred |
Zodiac sign/Sun sign | Sagittarius |
Hometown | Jagraon tehsil, Ludhiana district, Punjab |
Religion | Sikhism |
Caste | Jat |
Relationships & More
Marital Status (at the time of death) | Married |
---|---|
Marriage Place | Jagraon, Ludhiana district, Punjab |
Family
Wife/Spouse | Name Not Known |
---|---|
Parents | Names Not Known |
Career
Service | British Army |
---|---|
Rank | Havildar (Sergeant) |
Unit/Regiment | 36th Sikh Regiment |
Awards, Honours | Indian Order of Merit Class III (posthumously) |
Some Lesser Known Facts
Ishar was born into an agricultural family in Ludhiana. | |
He pursued his dream of becoming a soldier by joining the Punjab Frontier Force around the age of 18. | |
Serving under regimental number 165, he was drafted into the 36th Sikhs Regiment in 1887. | |
Major General James Lunt described Ishar Singh as having a somewhat rebellious nature, leading to clashes with his military superiors. | |
In August 1897, the 36th Sikhs, including a contingent of 21 Sikhs under Havildar Ishar Singh, were stationed in the North West Frontier Province. | |
Havildar Ishar Singh and his troop made the courageous decision to defend Saragarhi against a large Afghan force on 12 September 1897. | |
Following his demise, his wife was tragically killed by his own brother, who was subsequently imprisoned. | |
Two Saragarhi Memorial Gurudwaras were constructed in memory of the 21 Sikh soldiers from the 36th Sikh Regiment. | |
Each year on 12 September, 'Saragarhi Day' is commemorated to honor the bravery of these 21 Sikh soldiers. | |
After Ishar Singh, there were no further members from his family who joined the Army due to various reasons. |