So it’s very sad then that the memorial is falling into a dilapidated state.  It needs repairs and freshening up, as does the grounds around it.

But rather than preserving this memorial, the SGPC (in charge of Sikh shrines) seem more interested in building accommodations for foreign devotees (Sikhs and non) who visit the holy city of Amrtisar.  The building which looms over the memorial is such a hostel, which will no doubt when complete dwarf the Saragarhi memorial.

This is a surprise, as in recent years Saragarhi seems to have made a resurgence as a story of bravery, with Sikhs trying to bring back awareness of it through various means, the SGPC commissioning artwork and a cartoon book on the story being released.

But the state of the old memorial is an example of Punjab losing it’s physical heritage, which are being bulldozed and replaced with western-friendly facades.

In this instance, the memorial hasn’t suffered that fate (yet) – but awareness of historic actions which the Sikhs were involved in are in danger of being forgotten if not becoming merely political ploys for the establishment.  The lessons they contain and the context of their history are seen as no longer relevant.

Power Palmer, in 1902, also stated that the memorial was erected at the headquarters of the Sikhs so that:  “…as long as the British rule lasted the brave Sikh soldiers of the King might realize that their deeds would never be forgotten.”

Perhaps its because of this connection to Empire that the memorial has been forgotten about?  Can Sikhs no longer feel proud of their contribution during the history of British India?  Is it too difficult given the independence movement?  Is it too embarrassing for ruling elites to propagate?  Or simply a fruitless endeavor?  Or do the simple folk who have little reading of such history simply not care?

I, for one, take a lot from the story of Saragarhi – but then I am a British Sikh and feel a connection between it and the subsequent heroics during the World Wars and then the migration and integration of Sikhs in Britain thereafter.

Whatever the outlook, heritage groups are missing in this equation – where are they?  Are there any in India who’ll work to fund repairs at the memorial?  The UK-based heritage groups seem more interested in posh polo matches, is the story of Saragarhi becoming abused for others gain?  What about groups in the USA/Canada, where there are a lot of Sikhs?  I’d like to know your views …

My hope is that someone will take this post to heart to work to restore the memorial.  But the effort must come domestically within India, there is not much we in the diaspora can do – money is not the answer to everything, as Sikhs abroad seem to be thought of as cash cows by our Indian cousins.

Rather, Indians in India MUST work to protect our memorials, such as Saragarhi, for generations to come. If it was in my back yard, I would! 

To conserve our heritage we must embrace it and radiate it’s significance to those who can see, feel and taste its presence.  The old adage stands, we shape our buildings and thereafter our buildings shape us.

I feel like I’ve done my part by writing a book about the factual story of Saragarhi and its significance, to be released in September 2013.

It’s now for others to take it and the story of Saragarhi to ensure it is not forgotten, but that the heritage connected to it is also not lost.