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Nihang

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Nihang (Template:Lang-pa, from Template:Lang-fa) 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[1] Nihang have historically been held in great affection[citation needed] 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 spearheaded the attack on the enemies of the Sikh religion.

Unlike most Sikhs who venerate one holy book, 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.

Etymology

The word Nihang means one who does not fear death and was introduced into the Punjabi language from Persian. The term owes its origin to Mughal historians, who noticed that these brave armed-monks fought ferociously like crocodiles.[2] 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".[3] 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.

A Nihang at Golden Temple, Amritsar (Harmandir Sahib)

Attire

A group of Nihang at the historical Gurdwara Sri Bangla Sahib, Delhi.

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 Khalsa, created by Guru Gobind Singh. The Nihang wear checkered dresses of electric blue,[4]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.

In Sikh history

The career of the Akali, Phula Singh, illustrates both their defects and their abilities. Phula Singh - born 1761[5] - 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 Pashtuns at Teri[6] in 1823. In this battle, Phula Singh met with a heroic death,[7] 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.

Akali Nihang today

Nishan Sahib in blue, at Baba Phoola Singh di Burj in Amritsar, a Nihang Gurudwara.

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.[8]

Use of hemp

Some Nihang groups consume cannabis or bhang (ਭੰਗ) to help in meditation.[9] [10][11] Sukha (ਸੁੱਖਾ ਪ੍ਰਰਸਾਦ), "peace-giver", is the term Nihang use to refer to it. It was traditionally crushed and taken as a liquid, or baked into cookies (ਪਕੌੜਾ) and eaten, especially during festivals like Hola Mohalla. It is never smoked, as this practice is forbidden in Sikhism.[12]

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.[13] Baba Santa Singh was excommunicated and replaced with Baba Balbir Singh, who agreed to shun the consumption of bhang.[14]

Bothati

File:Bothati.jpg
Bothati

Bothati (ਬੋਥਾਟੀ) is an equestrian sport used as training for spear-fighting on horseback. Conceptually similar to jousting, bothati was practiced by the Nihang in the Punjab as part of their gatka regimen. The lance, also known as a bothati, is aimed at a pile of stones,[15] and is usually covered with a ball of cloth for safety, which is dipped in paint so that hits may easily be confirmed.[16]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ As of now, the word Akali is a purely political term and has nothing to do with the Nihang Order. It is possible that in remote past this term was associated with the Nihang and might even have been synonymous of it
  2. ^ Singh, Khushwant (1999). A History of the Sikhs Voghzlume I:1469-1839. India: Oxford University Press. p. 215. ISBN 0-19-562643-5.
  3. ^ Singh, Khushwant (1999). A History of the Sikhs Volume I:1469-1839. India: Oxford University Press. p. 215. ISBN 0-19-562643-5.
  4. ^ Collins, Larry (1997). Freedom at Midnight. India: Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd. p. 393. ISBN 81-259-0480-8. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Nihangs: The 'Dumaala' amritworld.com, last accessed 2007-11-18, "According to the 'Mahaan Kosh', Akali Phoola Singh Ji was born around Samvat 1818 Bikrami (1761 AD)"
  6. ^ [1]
  7. ^ [2] Hari Singh Nalwa and the Battle of Naushera] Bharat Rakshak, Volume 2(3) Nov-Dec 1999, "Akali Phula Singh through his dashing feats had inspired other Sikh commanders his martyrdom renewed the vigor to fight."
  8. ^ The only living master of a dying martial art http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15480741
  9. ^ Richard Beck, David Worden. Gcse Religious Studies for Aqa. p. 64. ISBN 0-435-30692-8.
  10. ^ Hola Mohalla: United colours of celebrations,
  11. ^ Mad About Words
  12. ^ UCSM.ac.uk
  13. ^ Nihangs ‘not to accept’ ban on bhang. The Tribune. March 26, 2001.
  14. ^ No ‘bhang’ at Hola Mohalla. The Tribune. March 10, 2001.
  15. ^ Desai, Sudha Vishwanath (1980). Social life in Maharashtra under the Peshwas. Popular Prakashan. p. 131. OCLC 8243834.
  16. ^ Draeger, Donn F. (1980). Comprehensive Asian fighting arts. Kodansha International. p. 152. ISBN 978-0-87011-436-6. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

References

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