The word “men” carries many connotations, whether related to family, society, or money. This man is constantly held accountable for duties that were never clearly assigned to him. A man who is unemployed and free is often referred to as useless. Simply because he is unable to spend enough time with his family, a hard-working man is labeled selfish. They are frequently held accountable for everything they do simply because they have received a perceived superiority in society, which they never asked for.
Sons, brothers, husbands, fathers, grandparents, and so on are frequently the pillars of society. However, they also hold the unique title of warriors. Several men have made equal or greater contributions in the past, but they are still not even acknowledged today. This article highlights a few lesser-known Indian-born men whose goal was to improve society in various ways.
Redefining Heroism: Honouring the Forgotten Men Who Chose Principle Over Power
Havildar Ishar Singh: The Hero of Saragarhi
The first is Havildar Ishar Singh (1858–1897), a highly regarded Indian Sikh war hero who fought in the Tirah Campaign on the North-West Frontier. At the age of 18, he joined the Punjab Frontier Force, and in 1887, he moved to the 36th Sikhs.
In modern-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Saragarhi is a tiny signal post situated between Fort Lockhart and Fort Gulistan. Singh commanded 21 Sikh soldiers in the Saragarhi War against between 10,000 and 12,000 Pashtun tribesmen. Without food, water, or reinforcements, they resisted for about six to eight hours. They continuously called for assistance, but there were no signals. Before every defender was overrun, they killed hundreds of attackers, with each Sikh reportedly taking out about 20 enemy soldiers.
The last survivor, Sepoy Gurmukh Singh, broadcast the battle via heliograph while shouting, “Bole So Nihaal… Sat Sri Akaal!” until he died. Celebrated as one of the greatest last stands in history, Saragarhi Day is observed on September 12 every year to honour the bravery and courage of the 21 Sikhs.
Dara Shikoh: The Forgotten Philosopher Prince
Next comes Dara Shikoh, born in Ajmer in 1615 to Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. Known as Shah-e-Buland Iqbal, he was crowned crown prince in 1642 and was also referred to as Padshahzada-i-Buzurg Martaba at a young age.
Sufism had a strong influence on Dara Shikoh, who embraced mysticism and spiritual diversity. He wrote comparative works like Majma-ul-Bahrain, exploring harmonies between Sufi and Vedantic thought, and commissioned Persian translations of the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads (52 texts). Dara promoted calligraphy, painting, music, and fine arts; his own album was included in royal collections. He also commissioned architectural projects like the Pari Mahal garden-library in Srinagar and the Akhund Mullah Shah Mosque in 1649.
When Shah Jahan became ill in 1657, Dara contested the throne, but his brother Aurangzeb defeated and executed him in 1659. In contemporary India, Dara Shikoh is revered as a symbol of intellectual curiosity, tolerance, and interfaith harmony. While some historians see him as politically naive, others celebrate his cultural legacy and vision of a more pluralistic Mughal Empire.
Yuyutsu: The Dharma Warrior from Mahabharata
Yuyutsu, a prominent yet often overlooked figure in the Mahabharata, was the Kauravas’ half-brother, born to Dhritarashtra and a Vaishya (maid). Despite his lineage, Yuyutsu chose dharma over blood and defected to the Pandavas on the eve of the Kurukshetra War.
He showed great moral courage and fought bravely throughout the battle as one of the eleven Maharathis on the Pandavas’ side. Yuyutsu was one of the few warriors to survive the war and was later assigned an important role in Hastinapura’s governance. His story is a rare example of choosing righteousness over loyalty and remains a shining beacon of moral strength.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji: The Martyr of Faith and Equality
The final legend is Guru Arjan Dev Ji (1563–1606), the fifth Guru of Sikhism and a central figure in the religion’s spiritual and institutional evolution. He was the youngest son of Guru Ram Das Ji and was born in Goindval, Punjab.
Guru Arjan compiled the Adi Granth, the first sacred text of Sikhism, which later became the Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal Guru of the Sikhs. He also oversaw the construction of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar, which is open to all, regardless of religion or caste.
Under his leadership, the Sikh community gained prominence, drawing the attention of the Mughal Empire. In 1606, he was tortured and executed under Emperor Jahangir’s orders for refusing to convert to Islam. Guru Arjan Dev Ji became the first Sikh martyr, setting a precedent of nonviolent resistance and spiritual courage. His death marked a turning point in Sikh history, after which later Gurus encouraged a more militant stance. His legacy is one of sacrifice, spiritual wisdom, and a vision of social equality.
