Plans for monument to brave Sikh soldiers
A memorial statue commemorating the bravery of 19th century Sikh soldiers is set to be created and place at a Wolverhampton temple.
Members of the City of Wolverhampton Council cabinet resources panel are expected to agree to transfer authority owned land to the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Well Lane, Wednesfield.
The Sikh temple is looking to unveil the Saragarhi Monument, which will be sculpted by Black Country artist Luke Perry of Industrial Heritage Stronghold.
The memorial statue will commemorate the Battle of Saragarhi, which was a conflict between Sikh soldiers and Afghan tribesmen on September 12 1897.
It is celebrated as a great “last stand” as it saw 21 soldiers of the 36th Sikh Regiment in a fort, surrounded by thousands of tribesmen, who chose to fight to the death.
To this day, the Indian Army’s 4th battalion of the Sikh regiment commemorates Saragarhi Day every September 12.
Members of the Gurdwara approached the authority about the proposed statue and the committee is expected to transfer the land, between the library and the temple, on a 99-year peppercorn lease.
A plaque will also be placed at the memorial which will read: “In tribute to the 21 men of the 36th Sikh Regiment whose bravery became part of history at the Battle of Saragarhi – 12 September 1897”.
A report to committee said: “(We) were approached by representatives of the Gurdwara for the proposed siting of a memorial statue and plaque which represented a tribute to the 36th Sikh Regiment and the 21 soldiers who lost their lives in the Battle of Saragarhi.
“Following a consultation, a suitable location was identified for the siting of the statue.
“The proposed site will be sympathetically landscaped in part and subsequently maintained by the Gurdwara for the duration of the lease which is currently subject to grounds maintenance as undertaken by the council.
“The asset could alternatively remain as is, but this would be at the detriment of losing an excellent opportunity to utilise the land for the siting of a memorial monument that represents an important part of history which has significant importance to not only residents of Wednesfield, but throughout the city.”
Committee members are expected to approve the plans at a meeting on Wednesday, November 11.
