Akali Nihang

Angad Yuvraj Singh

MSc Physics Dept of Physics and Astrophysics University of Delhi

Height : 71 cm Circumference: 90 cm

Tiger Claw (Bagh Nakka)

Quoits (Chakra)

Nidar Singh Nihang demonstrating quoits (Chakra)

Kim knew that walk well, and made broad jest of it as they passed. Then an Akali, a wild eyed, wild haired, Sikh devotee in the blue checked clothes of his faith, with polished steel, quoits glistening on the cone of his tall blue turban, stalked past, returning from a visit to one of the independent Sikh states, where he had been singing the ancient glories of the Khalsa to College-trained princelings in top boots and white-cord breeches. Kim was careful not to irritate that man. -an extract from Rudyard Kipling's novel KIM
pub.1901

Who are Akali Nihangs ?

- Sikhs of martial tradition. -Trace their origin to sixth master of sikhs, Guru Hargobind (circa 1606). - Only the term Akali or Immortals was used then.* -Formally established by the tenth master, Guru Gobind Singh (in 1699) as an order called Khalsa. -The term Nihang (lit. crocodile in persian) was later used by the mughals as a comparison of their ferocity in battlefield.

*The Fighting Traditions and Fighting Arts of the Traditional Sikh Warriors The Beloved of Guru Gobind Singh Ji The Akali Nihangs by Nidar Singh Nihang 2nd Edition 1998

Nihangs were feared for their war strategy.

Dhai Phat or two and half strikes.

If you cherish to learn the art of war, face them on the battle field. When they hold the mighty sword they gallop from Hind to Sind. Nobody, however strong and wealthy, dare oppose them. Each one of them is build of rock. In grandeur, each one of them excel fifty men.
- Qazi Nur Mohammed, Jang Namah, 1765

Conversation recorded by a contemporary between Zakhriya Khan, Governor of Lahore, and Persian invader Nadir shah, exhausted by harassment at the hands of Sikhs while returning back after plundering Delhi in 1739:

Nadir Shah: Who are these mischief-makers, any way? Zakariya Khan: They are a group of vagabond mendicants who visit their Guru's tank (i.e. Amritsar) twice a year and then disappear. Nadir Shah: Where do they live? Zakariya Khan: Their homes are their horse-saddles. Nadir Shah: Take care, my son, the day is not distant when these rebels will take possession of thy country.

'Five Hundred of Najaf Khan's horse dare not encounter fifty Sikh horsemen'
Colonel A.L.H Polier, a swiss officer in the mughal service in Delhi, 1776. Early
European Accounts of Sikhs ed. Dr. Ganda Singh

Nihangs during Maharaja Ranjit Singhs Reign

The infantry, previous to formation of a regular army by

Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was considered and inferior service and the only portion which enjoyed any consideration was that composed of Akalis or 'immortals', the band of religious enthusiasts and warriors, who were dressed in blue and wore knife edged quoits around their turbans, partly for show and partly for use as missiles. These military devotees were generally the first to breach , but though they rendered excellent service, their temper was lawless and uncertain and in times of peace they enjoyed almost boundless license.
-Major A.G Barstow, 2/11th Sikh Regiment, Handbook for Indian Army Sikhs (Govt. Press,1928)

These demoniacs possess an awful influence over the people, being regarded as demi-gods; and when any public emergency arises, a convocation of Akalees is held at Umritsar, and whatever they decree is considered to be the voice of heaven and acted upon with universal enthusiasm..

But I imagine that there is an end of them now, and that these holy synods will only be spoken of in the past tense. - Reverend James Coley, Chaplin to the Governor-General Lord Hardinge. Written on the 14th of March, 1846 while on a visit to Amritsar.

 Britishers and Sikh fought two wars famously known as the AngloSikh Wars in 1845-46 and 1848-49. Nihangs subjected to policy of genocide around late 1850s. Nihangs were practically extinct in Punjab. Reconciliation between the Raj and Nihangs in late 1890s. Nihangs reappeared in Punjab four decades later.

Questions raised over Sikh Identity. Singh Sabha Movement launched to free Sikh temples from the control hindu priests.
Highlighted saintly perspective of Sikhism. Nihangs virtually ostracized for their practice of Jhatka and Bhang. And also for holding the scriptures Dasam Granth and Sarabloh Granth equally sacred as Guru Granth, the holy book of the Sikhs.

Jhatka, the Sikh mode of killing an animal for food, also stands for the meat of an animal or bird so killed. For sikhs jhatka karna or jhatkauna means to slaughter the animal instaneously severing the head with single stroke of any weapon with the underlying idea to kill the animal with minimum torture. There is no idea of sacrifice or ritual involved and it is not mandatory either. Sikhism doesnt sanction sacrificial or ritual killing.

Bhang refers to a drinkable potion made from marijuana (Cannabis plant). The Nihangs have a historic tradition of preparing bhang for pain management before battle.

 Present Sikh community worship Guru Granth as the only sacred scripture. Equal status to the book of tenth master, Guru Gobind Singh, known as Dasam Granth and Sarabloh Granth (lit. granth of all steel or iron) is held by Nihangs. Nihang tradition holds that, whereas Guru Granth is the embodiment of 'Shaant Ras (essence of peace), Dasam Granth and Sarbloh Granth are the embodiments of 'Bir Ras (warrior essence).

Do we need them today ?

Preserve the ancient Indian art of war. Virtual museum on the move. Spend a life of meditation.

Are they going to get the respect they deserve from the Sikhs today?

 Video on short demo on the art.

Kim knew that walk well, and made broad jest of it as they passed. Then an Akali, a wild eyed, wild haired, Sikh devotee in the blue checked clothes of his faith, with polished steel, quoits glistening on the cone of his tall blue turban, stalked past, returning from a visit to one of the independent Sikh states, where he had been singing the ancient glories of the Khalsa to College-trained princelings in top boots and white-cord breeches.Kim was careful not to irritate that man. for the Akalis temper is short and his arm quick. -an extract from Rudyard Kipling's novel KIM
pub.1901

References
The Fighting Traditions and Fighting Arts of the Traditional Sikh Warriors The Beloved of Guru Gobind Singh Ji The Akali Nihangs by Nidar Singh Nihang 2nd Edition 1998. Warrior Saints by Amandeep Singh Madra and Paramjit Singh, published 1999. A.L.H Polier,The Siques, Early European Accounts of the Sikhs, ed. Ganda Singh, Indian Studies: Past and Present, Calcutta,1962. Paper titled 18th Century Western Perspective of the Sikhs and Their Scriptures, by Dr.Balwant Singh Dhillon, G.N.D. University, Amritsar presented at International Sikh Conference 2004.