Sikh priests, known as granthis, were recruited by their British masters to inspire and boost the morale of Sikh soldiers in the British Indian Army against the Pashtun tribesmen of Pakhtunkhwa. The Sikhs were regarded as the most loyal and dedicated servants of the British Raj, a service for which the British remain grateful to this day. For example, the British army still celebrate Saragarhi Day with great zeal. At Saragarhi, Sikh soldiers fell fighting against local Pashtun freedom fighters, in defence of British imperialism. The idea of a Sikh regiment within the modern British Army has long been discussed in the UK. In the House of Lords, for instance, such discussions have included statements like: "My Lords, given the loyalty of Sikh soldiers in both World Wars, there has been talk of having a Sikh regiment in the British Army for a number of years. Governments of both parties have talked about it. Is there any progress on that?" [1]
The following photo, taken by John Burke during the Second Anglo-Afghan War in Afghanistan, shows two Sikh granthis attached to the British occupation forces. The original caption reads: “Sikh gooroos attached to the Punjab regiments.”
In this letter dated 1938, a Sikh granthi named Sant Singh, attached to the 15th Punjab Regiment and stationed at Tal Fort in Hangu District, Pakhtunkhwa, expresses his joy at receiving the title of 'Sardar Sahib' from the British and thanks his British superior, Colonel G. O. Turnbull, for congratulating him on receiving that title.
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