Nihang
Encyclopedia
Nihang is an armed Sikh
order. Early Sikh military history is dominated by the Akali Nihang military order, particularly for many famous military victories won while often heavily outnumbered. The Akali Nihang have historically been held in great affection and respect by Sikhs due the pivotal role they have played in Sikh military history. The Nihang order is mostly ceremonial in peacetime but during times of war, they have historically spear-headed the attack on the enemies of the Sikh religion.
The Nihang Singhs venerate three Granths: The Guru Granth Sahib
, Dasam Granth
and the Sarbloh Granth
. The "saintly way" is enshrined in the Adi Granth
. The warrior spirit is enshrined in the Dasam Granth and Sarbloh Granth.
and was introduced into the Panjabi language from Persian. The term owes its origin to Mughal
historians, who noticed that these brave armed-monks fought ferociously like crocodiles. Traditionally known for their bravery and ruthlessness in the battlefield, the Nihang once formed the guerilla squads of the armed forces of Maharaja Ranjit Singh
.
The Nihang were also known as Akali
. This term is said to be derived from the Akaal Purukh in Punjabi
- "the Timeless One", a term for God. Thus Akali translates as "Servitor of the Timeless God". This also symbolises the Akali as the immortals or the timeless warriors. The Akal Sena
was originally started by Guru HarGobind Sahib. The Khalsa expanded on the Akal Sena.
, created by Guru Gobind Singh
. The Nihang wear checkered dresses of electric blue
, bangles or bracelets of iron round their wrists (kara
), and quoits of steel (chakram
) in their lofty conical blue turbans, together with daggers, knives and swords of varying sizes (kirpan
), and an iron chain.
General Banda Bahadur
, the famous disciple of Guru Gobind Singh, went from being a Hindu to a Sikh and adapted to wearing this attire.
Many non-Nihang Sikhs will often also wear the same dress of the Nihang at ceremonies or at a gurdwara
. This trend of wearing Nihang dress is mainly prevalent in Sikhs belonging either to the Akhand Kirtani Jatha
or the Damdami Taksal
.
Phula Singh - born 1761 - first came into notice as the leader who led the attack on Thomas Metcalfe's escort at Amritsar
in 1809. He was then employed by Sardar Ranjit Singh
, as a leader in the Indus valley. Finally, Phula Singh and his Akali contributed to, or rather virtually won for Ranjit Singh, the great Sikh victory over the Yusufzai Pashtun
s at Teri in 1823. In this battle, Phula Singh met with a heroic death, and his tomb at Nowshera
is now an object of pilgrimage to Sikhs.
Under Phula Singh's leadership, and perhaps before his rise, the Akali had become a terror to friends and foes alike, and the Sikh chiefs, from whom they often levied taxes (Raakhi), dreaded them by force. Sardar Ranjit Singh was highly pleased by the battles the Nihang would win.
During the time of the Sikh Empire, the Akali were almost completely autonomous and did what they felt was best for the protection of Sikhs and Sikhi. Only Emperor Ranjit Singh
could control them and their leader General Akali Phula Singh, after much gentle persuasion.
When Akali Phula Singh died in 1823 on the battle field at Teri, Sikh scholars and historians record that the emperor himself cried at the loss and the entire Sikh Khalsa Army
, including all the generals, officers and soldiers were deeply affected with the loss. Maharaja Ranjit Singh ordered the immediate construction of a monument on the site where Akali Phula Singh fell, to commemorate this Sikh icon. While he was alive, Akali Phula Singh would argue with the emperor, but they had a deep friendship and respect for each other.
It is widely known that Ranjit Singh respected him greatly. He was unafraid of the emperor and punished him for disrespecting a Nautch
dancing girl. The Emperor dared not disobey Akali Phula Singh and paid reparations when his guilt was proved.
The Akali headquarters was the Akal Bunga at Amritsar, where they assumed the lead in directing religious ceremonies and convoking the Gurmat
; indeed, they laid claim to exercise a general leadership of the whole Sikh community. Since Ranjit Singh's time Anandpur
has been their real headquarters, but their influence is still being felt in the world today.
Today, Nihang gather in their thousands at Anandpur
, on the occasion of the festival of Hola Mohalla
and display their martial skills. This tradition has been in place since the time of Guru Gobind Singh. Their fighting style is referred to as shastar vidiya
, which in its modern form as a competitive sport is known as gatka
. The compositions from the Dasam Granth
are used in unison with the battle maneuvers.
In 2011, Nidar Singh claims to be the only living master of pre-gatka Sikh martial arts.
to help in meditation
.
Sukha , "peace-giver", is the term Nihang use to refer to it. It was traditionally crushed and taken as a liquid, or baked into cookies and eaten, especially during festivals like Hola Mohalla
. It is never smoked, as this practice is forbidden in Sikhism.
Bhang is common in India, and several sects of Hindu yogi
s count the intoxicant as a meditative component. According to one legend, the god Shiva
was fond of bhang.
In 2001, Baba Santa Singh, the Jathedar
of Budha Dal, along with 20 chiefs of Nihang sects, refused to accept the ban on consumption of bhang by the apex Sikh clergy. Baba Santa Singh was excommunicated and replaced with Baba Balbir Singh, who agreed to shun the consumption of bhang.
as part of their gatka regimen. The lance, also known as a bothati, is aimed at a pile of stones, and is usually covered with a ball of cloth for safety, which is dipped in paint so that hits may easily be confirmed.
Sikhism
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
order. Early Sikh military history is dominated by the Akali Nihang military order, particularly for many famous military victories won while often heavily outnumbered. The Akali Nihang have historically been held in great affection and respect by Sikhs due the pivotal role they have played in Sikh military history. The Nihang order is mostly ceremonial in peacetime but during times of war, they have historically spear-headed the attack on the enemies of the Sikh religion.
The Nihang Singhs venerate three Granths: The Guru Granth Sahib
Guru Granth Sahib
Sri Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Granth, is the religious text of Sikhism. It is the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
, Dasam Granth
Dasam Granth
Dasven Patshah Da Granth or Dasam Granth , often called Sri Dasam Granth Sahib with respect, is a scripture of Sikhism, containing some of the texts attributed to 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Although the Dasam Granth is commonly confused with the Guru Granth Sahib, there is no overlap in...
and the Sarbloh Granth
Sarbloh Granth
The Sarbloh Granth is a poem that recites the story of gods and demons. The Sarbloh Granth was allegedly authored by Guru Gobind Singh at Hemkund Sahib, although archeological and lingistic evidence does not authenticate this fact. Thus, its validity remains questionable and is rejected by some...
. The "saintly way" is enshrined in the Adi Granth
Adi Granth
Adi Granth is the early compilation of the Sikh Scriptures by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru, in 1604. This Granth is the Holy Scripture of the Sikhs. The tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh added further holy Shabads to this Granth during the period 1704 to 1706...
. The warrior spirit is enshrined in the Dasam Granth and Sarbloh Granth.
Etymology
The word Nihang means crocodileCrocodile
A crocodile is any species belonging to the family Crocodylidae . The term can also be used more loosely to include all extant members of the order Crocodilia: i.e...
and was introduced into the Panjabi language from Persian. The term owes its origin to Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
historians, who noticed that these brave armed-monks fought ferociously like crocodiles. Traditionally known for their bravery and ruthlessness in the battlefield, the Nihang once formed the guerilla squads of the armed forces of Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Maharaja Ranjit Singh (Punjab)
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji was the first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire.-Early life:...
.
The Nihang were also known as Akali
Akali
In the context of Sikhism, Akali may refer to:*any member of the Khalsa, i.e. the collective body of baptized Sikhs*a term for Nihangs*a politician of the Akali Dal political parties...
. This term is said to be derived from the Akaal Purukh in Punjabi
Punjabi language
Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region . For Sikhs, the Punjabi language stands as the official language in which all ceremonies take place. In Pakistan, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language...
- "the Timeless One", a term for God. Thus Akali translates as "Servitor of the Timeless God". This also symbolises the Akali as the immortals or the timeless warriors. The Akal Sena
Sena
The word sena literally means army in Hindi and Bangla, and to praise in arabic language.In Benin, West Africa, the name SENA means "bringing Heaven to Earth".Sena could also refer to:-Places:...
was originally started by Guru HarGobind Sahib. The Khalsa expanded on the Akal Sena.
Attire
The Nihang differ essentially from all other Sikh orders in being a militaristic organization but they are similar in some areas, in that, they are and belong to the KhalsaKhalsa
+YouWebImagesVideosMapsNewsMailMoreTranslateFrom: ArabicTo: EnglishEnglishHindiEnglishAllow phonetic typingHindiEnglishArabicAssumptionGoogle Translate for Business:Translator ToolkitWebsite TranslatorGlobal Market Finder...
, created by Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh is the tenth and last Sikh guru in a sacred lineage of ten Sikh gurus. Born in Patna, Bihar in India, he was also a warrior, poet and philosopher. He succeeded his father Guru Tegh Bahadur as the leader of Sikhs at a young age of nine...
. The Nihang wear checkered dresses of electric blue
Electric blue
Electric blue is a very bright color reminiscent of a spark, named after the color of an argon sign. It is very similar to cyan.Additionally, the term may refer to:-Biology:...
, bangles or bracelets of iron round their wrists (kara
Kara (Sikhism)
A kara , is a steel or iron bracelet, worn by both male and female initiated Sikhs. It is one of the five kakars or 5Ks — external articles of faith — that identify a Sikh as dedicated to their religious order. The kara was instituted by the tenth Sikh guru Gobind Singh at the Baisakhi...
), and quoits of steel (chakram
Chakram
The chakram , sometimes called a war quoit, is a throwing weapon from India. Its shape is of a flat metal hoop with a sharp outer edge from in diameter...
) in their lofty conical blue turbans, together with daggers, knives and swords of varying sizes (kirpan
Kirpan
The kirpan is a ceremonial sword or dagger carried by orthodox Sikhs. It is a religious commandment given by Guru Gobind Singh at the Baisakhi Amrit Sanchar in CE 1699, all baptised Sikhs must wear a kirpan at all times....
), and an iron chain.
General Banda Bahadur
Banda Bahadur
Banda Singh Bahadur was a Sikh warrior and martyr. He became part of struggle against the Mughal Empire in the early 18th century, after meeting Guru Gobind Singh. Guru Gobind Singh gave him the new name of Banda Singh Bahadur...
, the famous disciple of Guru Gobind Singh, went from being a Hindu to a Sikh and adapted to wearing this attire.
Many non-Nihang Sikhs will often also wear the same dress of the Nihang at ceremonies or at a gurdwara
Gurdwara
A Gurdwara , meaning the Gateway to the Guru, is the place of worship for Sikhs, the followers of Sikhism. A Gurdwara can be identified from a distance by tall flagpoles bearing the Nishan Sahib ....
. This trend of wearing Nihang dress is mainly prevalent in Sikhs belonging either to the Akhand Kirtani Jatha
Akhand Kirtani Jatha
The Akhand Kirtani Jatha is a jatha of Sikhs....
or the Damdami Taksal
Damdami Taksal
The Damdami Taksal is a 300 years old educational organization said to have been founded by the tenth Sikh Master, Guru Gobind Singh. According to the Damdami Taksal, it was entrusted with the responsibility of teaching the reading , analysis and recitation of the Sikh scriptures by Guru Gobind...
.
In Sikh history
The career of the Akali, Phula Singh, illustrates both their defects and their abilities.Phula Singh - born 1761 - first came into notice as the leader who led the attack on Thomas Metcalfe's escort at Amritsar
Amritsar
Amritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
in 1809. He was then employed by Sardar Ranjit Singh
Ranjit Singh
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji was the first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire.-Early life:...
, as a leader in the Indus valley. Finally, Phula Singh and his Akali contributed to, or rather virtually won for Ranjit Singh, the great Sikh victory over the Yusufzai Pashtun
Pashtun people
Pashtuns or Pathans , also known as ethnic Afghans , are an Eastern Iranic ethnic group with populations primarily between the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and the Indus River in Pakistan...
s at Teri in 1823. In this battle, Phula Singh met with a heroic death, and his tomb at Nowshera
Nowshera
Nowshera - known locally as Nowkhaar is the chief city of Nowshera District in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan...
is now an object of pilgrimage to Sikhs.
Under Phula Singh's leadership, and perhaps before his rise, the Akali had become a terror to friends and foes alike, and the Sikh chiefs, from whom they often levied taxes (Raakhi), dreaded them by force. Sardar Ranjit Singh was highly pleased by the battles the Nihang would win.
During the time of the Sikh Empire, the Akali were almost completely autonomous and did what they felt was best for the protection of Sikhs and Sikhi. Only Emperor Ranjit Singh
Ranjit Singh
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji was the first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire.-Early life:...
could control them and their leader General Akali Phula Singh, after much gentle persuasion.
When Akali Phula Singh died in 1823 on the battle field at Teri, Sikh scholars and historians record that the emperor himself cried at the loss and the entire Sikh Khalsa Army
Sikh Khalsa Army
Punjab Army was the military force of the Sikh Empire responsible for land defense from 1801-1849.-Background:...
, including all the generals, officers and soldiers were deeply affected with the loss. Maharaja Ranjit Singh ordered the immediate construction of a monument on the site where Akali Phula Singh fell, to commemorate this Sikh icon. While he was alive, Akali Phula Singh would argue with the emperor, but they had a deep friendship and respect for each other.
It is widely known that Ranjit Singh respected him greatly. He was unafraid of the emperor and punished him for disrespecting a Nautch
Nautch
In North India, Nautch is one of several styles of popular dance, performed by girls known as "Nautch girls". The word Nautch is an anglicized version of नाच , a word found in Hindi and Urdu , and several other languages of North India, derived from the Sanskrit, Nritya, via the Prakrit, Nachcha...
dancing girl. The Emperor dared not disobey Akali Phula Singh and paid reparations when his guilt was proved.
Akali Nihang today
Gurmat
Gurmat is a term which may in its essential sense be taken to be synonymous with Sikhism itself. It literally means to "have your face towards the guru". It covers doctrinal, prescriptive and directional aspects of Sikh faith and praxis...
; indeed, they laid claim to exercise a general leadership of the whole Sikh community. Since Ranjit Singh's time Anandpur
Anandpur Sahib
Anandpur Sahib is a city in Rupnagar district in the state of Punjab, India. Known as "the holy City of Bliss," it is a holy city of the Sikhs and is one of their most important sacred places, closely linked with their religious traditions and history...
has been their real headquarters, but their influence is still being felt in the world today.
Today, Nihang gather in their thousands at Anandpur
Anandpur Sahib
Anandpur Sahib is a city in Rupnagar district in the state of Punjab, India. Known as "the holy City of Bliss," it is a holy city of the Sikhs and is one of their most important sacred places, closely linked with their religious traditions and history...
, on the occasion of the festival of Hola Mohalla
Hola Mohalla
Hola Mahalla is a Sikh Olympics event which begins on the first day of the lunar month of Chet in the Nanakshahi calendar. It most often falls in March, and sometimes coincides with the Sikh New Year. The event lasts for a week, and consists of camping out and enjoying various displays of fighting...
and display their martial skills. This tradition has been in place since the time of Guru Gobind Singh. Their fighting style is referred to as shastar vidiya
Indian martial arts
The Indian subcontinent is home to a variety of fighting styles. In Sanskrit they may be collectively referred to as ' or '. The former is a compound of the words and , meaning "knowledge of the sword" or "knowledge of weaponry"...
, which in its modern form as a competitive sport is known as gatka
Gatka
Gatka is a weapon-based Indian martial art created by the Sikhs of the Punjab region. The word gatka refers to the wooden stick used in sparring matches. The term might have originated as a diminutive of the Sanskrit word gadha or mace....
. The compositions from the Dasam Granth
Dasam Granth
Dasven Patshah Da Granth or Dasam Granth , often called Sri Dasam Granth Sahib with respect, is a scripture of Sikhism, containing some of the texts attributed to 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Although the Dasam Granth is commonly confused with the Guru Granth Sahib, there is no overlap in...
are used in unison with the battle maneuvers.
In 2011, Nidar Singh claims to be the only living master of pre-gatka Sikh martial arts.
Use of hemp
Some Nihang groups consume cannabis or bhangBhang
Bhang is a preparation from the leaves and flowers of the female cannabis plant, smoked or consumed as a beverage in the Indian subcontinent.- India:...
to help in meditation
Meditation
Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
.
Sukha , "peace-giver", is the term Nihang use to refer to it. It was traditionally crushed and taken as a liquid, or baked into cookies and eaten, especially during festivals like Hola Mohalla
Hola Mohalla
Hola Mahalla is a Sikh Olympics event which begins on the first day of the lunar month of Chet in the Nanakshahi calendar. It most often falls in March, and sometimes coincides with the Sikh New Year. The event lasts for a week, and consists of camping out and enjoying various displays of fighting...
. It is never smoked, as this practice is forbidden in Sikhism.
Bhang is common in India, and several sects of Hindu yogi
Yogi
A Yogi is a practitioner of Yoga. The word is also used to refer to ascetic practitioners of meditation in a number of South Asian Religions including Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.-Etymology:...
s count the intoxicant as a meditative component. According to one legend, the god Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
was fond of bhang.
In 2001, Baba Santa Singh, the Jathedar
Jathedar
Jathedar means "leader" and refers to a leader of a jatha . Among the Sikhs, a Jathedar is an ordained leader of the clergy and leads a Takht, a sacred and authoritative seat....
of Budha Dal, along with 20 chiefs of Nihang sects, refused to accept the ban on consumption of bhang by the apex Sikh clergy. Baba Santa Singh was excommunicated and replaced with Baba Balbir Singh, who agreed to shun the consumption of bhang.
Bothati
Bothati is an equestrian sport used as training for spear-fighting on horseback. Conceptually similar to jousting, bothati was practiced by the Nihang in the PunjabPunjab region
The Punjab , also spelled Panjab |water]]s"), is a geographical region straddling the border between Pakistan and India which includes Punjab province in Pakistan and the states of the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and some northern parts of the National Capital Territory of Delhi...
as part of their gatka regimen. The lance, also known as a bothati, is aimed at a pile of stones, and is usually covered with a ball of cloth for safety, which is dipped in paint so that hits may easily be confirmed.
External links
- Sikh Photography Images of Nihangs by photographer Charles Meacham
- Sarbloh.info
- Nihangsingh.org
- Nihang SGPC
- Photography of the daily lives of the Nihang Singhs of Punjab by photographer Nick Fleming