On 15 June 2026 the Vajra Corps promoted four Punjab sites as “Shaurya Dharohars” — Gurudwara Saragarhi Sahib, Hussainiwala Memorial, Ferozepur Fort and Asal Uttar.
The Four Shaurya Dharohars
- Gurudwara Saragarhi Sahib: Commemorates 21 soldiers of the 36th Sikh Regiment who fought on 12 Sep 1897 against ~10,000 Afghan tribesmen; all were posthumously awarded the Indian Order of Merit.
- Hussainiwala National Martyrs Memorial: Site where Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were cremated after execution in 1931; foundation stone for a ₹24.99 crore Hussainiwala Heritage Complex laid on 24 Mar 2026.
- Ferozepur Fort: 19th-century Sikh Empire military architecture; involved in the 1857 uprising; opened to the public by the Indian Army in Jun 2025.
- Asal Uttar (Khemkaran): Theatre of a major 1965 India‑Pakistan tank battle; hosts Punjab’s first military heritage site and museum inaugurated in Oct 2025.
Institutional and Heritage Details
- Vajra Corps: Corps of the Indian Army designated ‘Defenders of Punjab’; raised in 1950 and celebrated its 76th Raising Day on 1 Mar 2026.
- Asal Uttar honours: 2 MAHAR awarded the Battle Honour “Asal Uttar” and Theatre Honour “Punjab” for 1965 operations.
- Partnership: Asal Uttar memorial and museum is a joint initiative of the Indian Army and INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), confirmed 15 Jun 2026.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- Indian Order of Merit: British-era gallantry award instituted in 1837; used to recognise bravery of Indian soldiers before newer gallantry decorations.
- INTACH: Registered conservation body involved in heritage documentation and museum projects across India.