117.234.168.229 at 08:35, 22 August 2021

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{{short description|Armed Sikh warrior order originating in the Indian subcontinent}}
{{Italic title|reason=[[:Category:Punjabi words and phrases]]}}
[[File:A Sikh Hooper Western 1860s.jpg|thumb|A Nihang in the 1860s with a characteristically elaborate turban.]]
The '''Nihang''' ({{lang-pa|ਨਿਹੰਗ}}) or '''Akali''' (lit. "the immortals") is an armed [[Sikhism|Sikh]] warrior order originating in the [[Indian subcontinent]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Brard|first=Gurnam|title=East of Indus: My Memories of Old Punjab|year=2007|publisher=Hemkunt Press|isbn=9788170103608|page=185}}</ref> Nihang are believed to have originated either from [[Fateh Singh (Sikhism)|Fateh Singh]] and the attire he wore<ref>{{cite book|last=Surjit|first=Gandhi|title=History of Sikh Gurus Retold: 1606-1708 C.E, Volume 2 of History of Sikh Gurus Retold|year=2007|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distributors|isbn=9788126908585|page=999}}</ref> or from the "Akali" (lit. Army of the Immortal) started by [[Guru Hargobind]].<ref>{{cite book | last=Singh | first=Khushwant | year=1999 | title=A History of the Sikhs Volume I:1469-1839 | publisher=Oxford University Press | location=India | isbn = 0-19-562643-5 | page=215}}</ref> Early Sikh military history was dominated by the Nihang, known for their victories where they were heavily outnumbered. Traditionally known for their bravery and ruthlessness in the battlefield, the Nihang once formed the irregular guerrilla squads of the armed forces of the [[Sikh Empire| Khalsa Empire]], the [[Sikh Khalsa Army | Khalsa Army]].
[[File:Akalis at the Holy Tank.jpg|thumb|Akalis at the Fatehgarh Sahib Sarovar]]

== Etymology ==
''Nihang'' may come from the Persian word for a mythical sea creature ({{lang-fa|نهنگ}}).<ref>{{cite book | last=Taba| first= David| year=2011| title= Iranian Character of The Armenian Language | page=9}}</ref> The term owes its origin to [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] historians, who compared the ferocity of the Akali with that of crocodiles. The meaning of Akali in [[Sikhism]] however, is the immortal army of Akal (god).<ref>{{cite book | last=Singh | first=Khushwant | year=1999 | title=A History of the Sikhs Voghzlume I:1469-1839 | publisher=Oxford University Press | location=India | isbn = 0-19-562643-5 | page=215}}</ref>

== Arms and attire ==
[[File:Sikhs with chakrams.jpg|thumb|left|''Nihang Abchal Nagar'' (Nihangs from Hazur Sahib), 1844. Shows turban-wearing Sikh soldiers with [[chakram]]s.]]
Traditional Nihang dress is known as ''Khalsa Swarupa.'' This comprises full attire of superelectric blue selected by [[Guru Gobind Singh]] after conflicts with [[Wazir Khan (Sirhind)|Vazir Khan]], the Mughal Governor of [[Sirhind]],<ref>{{cite book | last=Macauliffe | first=Max Arthur | year=1909 | title=The Sikh Religion: Its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors Volume 5 | publisher=Cambridge University Press. | location=United Kingdom | isbn = 978-1-108-05547-5 | page=210 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bMeclUzAh9sC&q=max+arthur+macauliffe+nihang+blue&pg=PA210 }}</ref> edged bracelets of iron round their wrists (''[[Kara (Sikhism)|jangi kara]]'') and quoits of steel (''[[chakram]]'') tiered in their lofty conical blue turbans, together with the traditional dagger carried by all Sikhs (''[[kirpan]]'').<ref>{{cite book|last=Mayled|first=Jon|title=Sikhism|year=2002|publisher=Heinemann|isbn=9780435336271|page=[https://archive.org/details/sikhism0000mayl_l1v5/page/23 23]|url=https://archive.org/details/sikhism0000mayl_l1v5/page/23}}</ref> When fully armed a Nihang will also bear one or two swords (either the curved [[talwar]] or the straight [[khanda (sword)|khanda]]) on his right hip, a [[katar (dagger)]] on his left hip, a buckler made from buffalo-hide (''dhala'') on his back, a large [[chakram]] around his neck, and an iron chain. In times of war, arms worn on the Nihang's person would generally be reserved until the warrior lost the weapon he held, often a bow or spear (''barsha''). Armour consisted of ''sanjo'' or iron chainmail worn under an iron breastplate (''char aina''). Nihang war-shoes (''jangi mozeh'') were constructed of iron at the toe, making their pointed toes capable of inflicting cuts and stab wounds.
[[File:Nihang Singh and Nihang Singhani.jpg|thumb|A Nihang Singh and a Nihang Singhani]]

The Nihang were particularly known for their high turbans (''dastar bunga'') and their extensive use of the [[chakram]] or war-quoit. Their turbans were often pointed at the top and outfitted with a chand torra or trident which could be used for stabbing in close-quarters. Other times, the turbans would be armed with a [[bagh naka]] (iron claw) and one or several [[chakram]] to slice at an opponent's eyes. These steel-reinforced turbans, it was said, afforded enough protection so that there was no need for any other form of headgear. Today, Nihang still wear miniature versions of five weapons (''pancha shastra'') in their turbans, namely the [[chakram]], the [[khanda (sword)]], the ''karud'' (dagger), the [[kirpan]], and the ''tir'' (arrow).

[[File:Nihangs from Annandpur Sahib-002.jpg|thumb|A group of Nihangs from Annandpur Sahib]]
== Nihang today ==
[[File:Group of Nihang Singhs.jpg|thumb|A group of Nihang]]

Nihang today are accorded great respect and affection by sections of the Sikh community, but they have separate beliefs and certain practices. While the order is primarily ceremonial, they are duty-bound to defend their people and faith in times of war. Nihang gather in their thousands at [[Anandpur Sahib|Anandpur]], in the state of [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]], [[India]]. Located near the [[Sutlej River]], the city is one of the most sacred places in [[Sikhism]], where they display their martial skills.

==Use of intoxicants==

Some Nihang groups consume [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] or shaheedi degh ({{lang|pa|ਭੰਗ}}) , purportedly to help in [[meditation]].<ref>{{cite book
| last = Richard Beck
| first = David Worden
| title = Gcse Religious Studies for Aqa
| year = 2002
|page= 64
| isbn = 0-435-30692-8}}</ref>
<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110811031946/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-03-19/chandigarh/27281595_1_bhang-united-colours-procession Hola Mohalla: United colours of celebrations],</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040103/asp/opinion/story_2735311.asp |title=Mad About Words |publisher=Telegraphindia.com |date=2004-01-03 |access-date=2014-01-04}}</ref> ''Sukha parshaad'' ({{lang|pa|ਸੁੱਖਾ ਪ੍ਰਰਸਾਦ}}), "Dry-sweet", is the term Nihang use to refer to it. It was traditionally crushed and taken as a liquid, especially during festivals like [[Hola Mohalla]]. It is never smoked, as this practice is forbidden in Sikhism.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/encyclopedia/sikhism/akalis.html |title=UCSM.ac.uk |publisher=Philtar.ucsm.ac.uk |access-date=2014-01-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101016012718/http://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/encyclopedia/sikhism/akalis.html |archive-date=2010-10-16 }}</ref>

In 2001, [[Jathedar Santa Singh]], the leader of Budha Dal, along with 20 chiefs of Nihang sects, refused to accept the ban on consumption of '' shaheedi degh'' by the apex Sikh clergy - in order to preserve traditional sikh practices.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010326/punjab1.htm#3 Nihangs ‘not to accept’ ban on shaheedi degh]. [[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]. March 26, 2001.</ref>
According to a recent BBC article, "Traditionally they also drank shaheedi degh, an infusion of cannabis, to become closer with God"<ref>{{cite web|last=Hegarty |first=Stephanie |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15480741 |title=BBC News - The only living master of a dying martial art |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=2011-10-29 |access-date=2014-01-04}}</ref>

== Nishan Sahib ==

[[File:Sikh Basanti.png|thumb|Flag used by Guru Hargobind]]
[[File:Sikh Akali flag.jpg|thumb|Flag used by Guru Gobind Singh]]

The Nihangs carry the original view of Sikhism and carry the original Nishan Sahib being plain Navy/electric blue and bright yellow or basanti. Yellow in Punjabi culture signifies sacrifice, revolt and honour while blue signifies courage, bravery and patriotism. Although in Punjab Blue is the colour of Vaishyas and Yellow the colour of Kshatriyas the Gurus said that these are the colours of the casteless [[Khalsa]].

==See also==
{{div col}}
* [[Amrit Sanchar]]
* [[Damdami Taksal]]
* [[Dastar bunga]]
* [[Gatka]]
* [[Khalsa]]
* [[Langar (Sikhism)|Langar]]
* [[Lohgarh (Bilaspur)]]
* [[Misls]]
* [[Shastar Vidya]]
{{col div end}}

== Notes ==
{{reflist}}

== References ==
* ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20080308095625/http://www.sridasamgranth.com/ Dasam Granth ]'', The Dasam Granth website
* ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20080404151249/http://www.punjabheritage.org/editorials--reviews/the-akali-nihangs.html Book review of the Nihang book The Beloved Forces of the Guru]''
* "Tribes and Castes of Punjab and N.W. Frontier Province" by H.A. Rose (1892)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051218032106/http://www.amritworld.com/nihangs/index.html Bhai Sahib Amrit Pal Singh 'Amrit' has presented well-researched articles on Nihangs on his website]
* [http://www.Budhadal.com/ www.Budhadal.com]

== External links ==
* [http://www.charlesmeacham.com Sikh Photography] Images of Nihangs by photographer Charles Meacham
* [http://www.sarbloh.info/htmls/sikh_akali.html Sarbloh.info]
* [http://www.nihangsingh.org/Introduction.html Nihangsingh.org]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051102055701/http://sgpc.net/glossary/Nihang.asp Nihang] [[SGPC]]
* [http://www.nickfleming.com/photography/Nihang_Singhs_of_Punjab/ Photography of the daily lives of the Nihang Singhs of Punjab by photographer Nick Fleming]

{{Sikhism}}

[[Category:Nihang| ]]
[[Category:Sikh groups and sects]]
[[Category:Punjabi words and phrases]]

Nihang - Revision history

117.234.168.229 at 08:35, 22 August 2021