Following the footsteps of his research in Europe, arch-researcher Holland-based Bhupinder Singh reaches the hinterlands of Punjab to find traces of martyrs who laid down lives in World War I and World War II.

The British have a tradition of acknowledging those who fought under the tutelage of the Imperial forces, whatever the reasons being for the soldiers to join the army. A journey through the historic village Sultanwind, on the outskirts of holy city Amritsar added a new dimension to my search and cataloguing of the Sikh martyrs of World War I.

From this historical village, as many as 135 Sikhs fought WW 1 in Palestine, Israel and Basra in Iraq. 7 attained martyrdom. To mark this, a plaque was installed in the Police Station (old) by the British after the end of World War 1. This historical plaque of WW 1 and the proud heritage of this village should be preserved at all costs and as soon as possible. The building is in a very bad shape and is in a critical condition. The family members of these Martyrs should be located. The plaque should be preserved in the Gurdwara Sahib or at the main gate of the Village along the Canal.

It is my hope that the proud people of this village will take a strong initiative soon to preserve this great history of WW 1 and of their historical village.

A Plaque outside the old police station of Sultanwind village in Amritsar is a reminder of the Sikhs who left home and hearth to join the imperial forces.

One of the symbols on the plaque marks the official symbol of Israel (the Jews). The regiment 19th Punjabis were raised from this village and they fought in Israel in World War 1. Hazara Singh got martyrdom in Israel and his grave is in Ramleh War Cemetery near Tel Aviv.

Some youth from this village were recruited to 45th Rattray’s Sikhs, 11th King Edward’s Own Lancers. 55th Coke’s Rifles etc. the distinguished Jawans of the British Regiments.

The names of Jagat Singh & Santa Singh of this village are recorded on Delhi Memorial and they were cremated to the west of the River Indus where maintenance was not possible.

Significantly 4 Sikhs from this village attained martyrdom in the operations Mesopotamia (Basra) from the Autumn of 1914 to the end of August 1921 and whose graves are not known but are recorded in the Basra Memorial.

Thakur Singh of this village was martyred in Basra on the 8July 1943 (WW2) and his name is engraved in Basra Cremation Memorial.

I hope that the uncovering of this information may lead researchers to look for other such remnants in the villages of Punjab.

The Basra Memorial, Iraq has the following names of martyrs:

BANTA SINGH, Sepoy, 1176. 19th Punjabis, attd., 24th Punjabis. 22 November 1915. Son of Ram Singh, of Sultan Wind, Amritsar, Punjab. Grave Reference: Panel 53 and 67. Sikhs in World War I, Page 886

PAL SINGH, Sepoy, 1157. 45th Rattray’s Sikhs. 1 February 1917. Son of Hakim Singh, of Sultan Wind, Amritsar, Punjab. Grave Reference: Panel 56. Sikhs in World War I, Page 1337

PAL SINGH, Rifleman, 1159. Burma Military Police, attd., 15th Ludhiana Sikhs. 1 February 1917. Son of Hakim Singh, of Sultanwind, Amritsar, Punjab. Grave Reference: Panel 59 and 68. Sikhs in World War I, Page 1336

SARMUKH SINGH, Daffadar, 2835. 11th King Edward’s Own Lancers (Probyn’s Horse). 11 February 1918. Son of Narayan Singh, of Sultanwind, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Punjab. Grave Reference: Panel 45 and 65. Sikhs in World War I, Page 1444.

The Delhi India Gate Memorial 1914-1918, India has the names of the following martyrs:

JAGAT SINGH, Havildar, 1871. 1st Bn., 55th Coke’s Rifles (Frontier Force). 26 December 1919. Son of Jawand Singh, of Sultanwind, Amritsar, Punjab. Grave Reference: Face 2. Sikhs in World War I, Page 426.

SANTA SINGH, Sepoy, 3738. 2nd Bn., 19th Punjabis. 31 May 1920. Son of Bhagat Singh, of Sultanwind, Amristsar, Punjab. Grave Reference: Face 2. Sikhs in World War I, Page 525.

The Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel and Palestine (Including Gaza) has the following names:

World War I

HAZARA SINGH, Sepoy, 1786. 19th Punjabis. 24 November 1918. Son of Ashnaki Singh, of Sultan Wind, Amritsar, Punjab. Sikhs in World War I, Page 1581

World War II

THAKUR SINGH, Sapper, 8494. 2 Electrical and Mechanical Coy., Indian Engineers. 8 July 1943. Age 40. Son of Tehl Singh and Harro, of Sultanwind, Amritsar, India. Grave Reference: Column 8. Sikhs in World War 2, Page 1385. Basra Cremation Memorial.

My research reveals that there are many more such plaques in other parts of Punjab. Two pictures from Sathiala and Padhiana near to Daroli Kalan are testimony to this and there is no doubt that there are many more. Heritage seekers, though few amongst the community should be on the look-out for these and save these vintage relics of invaluable Sikh history.