Special lecture by Gurinder Singh Mann
2nd Battalion The Ranger Regiment
Keogh Barracks in Ash Vale, Surrey
25th March 2022
The Sobroan Day event took place on 25th March at the Army barracks in Surrey, England. Here Gurinder Singh Mann historian of the Sikh Museum Initiative gave a lecture on the Anglo-Sikh Wars paying attention to the battle of Sobroan. The Sikh Museum initiative has extensively worked on the Anglo Sikh Wars through exhibitions, lectures, and a website. Several British regiments commemorate Sobroan day in the UK and on the 25th March the 2nd Battalion The Ranger Regiment hosted the important day for their regiment. Every year, the Warrant Officers and Sergeant’s Mess celebrate the gallantry of Sergeant Bernard McCabe, who served as part of the 31st of Foot, the forebears of the regiment.
A presentation by Gurinder Singh Mann was undertaken to educate the new members on the battle, details of the 1st Sikh War as a whole, and talk through the names of the soldiers and commanders within the battle. The lecture started with the description of British/Sikh relations from the eighteenth century citing both the rise of the Sikh Empire and the East India Company. This led to Mann citing the importance of Maharajah Ranjit Singh and the relationship with the British during this time. The battles of the Anglo Sikh Wars of 1845-146 were recounted leading to the battle of Sobroan which took place on the 10th February 1846. Mann cited the battle positions of both British and the Sikhs. He explained the treacherous actions of Tej Singh and Lal Singh who intentionally sabotaged the bridge of boats. The battle however renowned for the Sikhs through the actions of Sham Singh Attariwala. The heroic intervention of the Sikh general was narrated through his bravery and shaheedi (martyrdom) fighting the British. The details from the Sikh perspective were an important step for everyone concerned to get a wider understanding of the battle. Mann also cited the trajectory of Sikh recruitment leading to their employment in the “British” Indian Army and the World Wars.
The presentation ended with one of the members of the regiment recounting the actions of Sergeant McCabe who saved the colours from destruction by the Sikhs. Mann gave a copy of his book The British and the Sikhs and a 3d printed Anglo Sikh Wars medal to the regiment. The officers gave Mann a special pin from The Ranger Regiment. Participants were treated to a lunch. Overall the day served as an important milestone in Anglo-Sikh relations.
Several photos taken from the Sobroan Corridor at the Regiment.