Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Battle of Saragarhi" in English language version.
The Orakzais were joined by the Afridi swelling their numbers to more than 10000. Groups of tribesmen attacked Sangar on the night of September 11. The post was on a high ridge and well fortified. Although there were only 44 Sikh troops, the garrison repulsed the attack. The following morning, the natives attacked Saragarhi. The garrison numbered 21 Sikhs, led by Havildar Ishar Singh. Instead of withdrawing to one of the other posts, the Sikhs decided to remain in an effort to maintain communication between the two forts.
A mass attack came on Saragarhi on September 12 and the 21 strong detachment fought one of the most unequal engagements in the history of warfare. There were fierce onslaughts by the 10,000 Orakzai and Afridi tribesmen. The outnumbered defenders returned the fire in a most determined manner. After a series of abortive attempts, the tribesmen managed to reach the wall of the post by using an ingenious method. Effecting a breach, they were face to face with the brave Sikhs, most of whom had been wounded.
The gallant defence of Saragarhi by Havildar Ishar Singh and twenty other ranks and a follower is estimated to have lost the enemy about four hundred and fifty killed and wounded
The Sikhs were wiped out after inflicting 450 casualties on their attackers.
36th Sikhs, which later became 4th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment, was the last to join the ranks of the elite in 1887 with a difference. It was a one-class Jat Sikh Battalion and within a decade, won for the regiment and the Indian Army immortal fame during the operations on the Samana ridge (1897). At that time the battalion was holding posts on the ridge. Those at Saragarhi, Gulistan and Fort Lockhart served as communication links.
At least 600 of them were later found dead outside the post.
When day broke on the 12th, the Orakzai-Afridi "lashkar" was seen to be in force near Gogra on the east, at the Samana Suk on the west, and round the Saragarhi post, thus severing Gulistan from Fort Lockhart. (Their total number has been variously estimated at from twelve to twenty thousand.)It was, therefore, no longer possible for Colonel Haughton to carry aid to Saragarhi or Guhstan, as he had done twice before. The enemy turned the brunt of their attack on the little post of Saragarhi.
