Nihang

{{short description|Sikh warrior sect}} {{Self-published|date=January 2023}} {{Infobox religious group|group=Akali-Nihang<br>{{Small|ਅਕਾਲੀ‐ਨਿਹੰਗ}}|founder=Disputed|religions=Sikhism|image=|image_caption=|regions=Punjab|scriptures=Guru Granth Sahib • Dasam Granth • Sarbloh Granth|languages=Punjabi • Sant Bhasha • Khalsa bole|flag=Blue Nishan Sahib.svg|flag_caption=Nihang version of the Sikh flag}} {{Sikhism sidebar}} The '''Nihang''' (also spelt as '''Nihung''' lit. "Crocodiles") or '''Akali''' (lit. "Immortals"), also known as ''Dal Khalsa'', is an armed 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> Nihangs are believed to have originated either from 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 "Akal Sena" (lit. Army of the Immortal) started by Guru Hargobind.<ref name=":5">{{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, the Sikh Khalsa Army.

== Etymology == The word ''Nihang'' may come from the Persian word for a mythical sea creature ({{langx|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 historians, who compared the ferocity of the Akāli with that of crocodiles. The meaning of Akali in Sikhism however, is the immortal army of Akāl (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> According to Harjinder Singh Dilgeer, tracing the term Nihang to the Persian word for a crocodile is a misinterpretation and instead it refers to a "fearless person".<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=Dilgeer |first=Harjinder Singh |title=The Sikh Reference Book |publisher=The Sikh Educational Trust |year=1997 |pages=553}}</ref> Dilgeer states that the term Nihang is also used in ''gurbani'', where it refers to someone who is carefree.<ref name=":6" />

The word ''Akāli'' means timeless or immortal. Literally, it means one who belongs to ''Akāl'' (beyond time). In other words, an ''Akāli'' is that person who is subject of none but God only.<ref name=":9" /> Guru Nanak used the term ''Akal Murat'' to describe God.'''<ref name=":222">{{Cite book |last=Gandhi|first=Surjit Singh|title=History of Sikh Gurus Retold|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distributors|year=2007|isbn=9788126908585|volume=II: 1606-1708 C.E.|pages=999–1003|chapter=Sikh Religious Orders - Akali/Nihang Order}}</ref>''' The term ''Akāli'', which derived from ''Akāl'','''<ref name=":222" />''' was first used during the time of Guru Gobind Singh. It became popular in the last decades of the eighteenth century. The term came to be associated with “commitment, fearlessness, boldness, struggle, and justice.”<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=thesikhs.org |title=All copyrights reserved to thesikhs.org |url=http://thesikhs.org/sikh-philosophy/akaali/}}</ref>

== History ==

=== Origins === The origin of the Nihangs is obscure. However, warrior-ascetic traditions in the Indian subcontinent can be traced back to the sixth century BCE. Despite this, warrior-ascetics only achieved political power with the collapse of the Mughal state in the 18th century.<ref name=":10" />{{Reference page|pages=3–7}}

There are various theories on the origin of the Nihangs.'''<ref name=":222" />''' According to Pashaura Singh and Louis E. Fenech (1999), reiterating the work of Kahn Singh Nabha, there exists three main theories regarding the genesis of the ''Nihangs''. These three theories are summarised below:<ref name=":0" />

* Began with the son of Guru Gobind Singh, Fateh Singh with his blue clothing (''chola'') and turban (''dumalla'') with the Guru prescribing this uniform for his warriors.<ref name=":0" />'''<ref name=":222" />''' * Second hypothesis claims that they originate from the blue-clothing disguise of Guru Gobind Singh when he escaped from Chamkaur in 1704 or 1705.<ref name=":0" /> Afterwards, the guru burnt the blue disguise at Dhilwan near Kot Kapura.'''<ref name=":222" />''' A follower of the guru, named Man Singh, saved a piece of the blue-clothing and attached it to his turban. The Nihangs then originated from the band and disciples of Man Singh.'''<ref name=":222" />''' * Third theory postulates that they can be traced back to the garb of Akali Naina Singh, who was the leader of the Shaheedan Misl.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":22">{{Cite book |last=Singha |first=H.S. |title=The Encyclopedia of Sikhism (over 1000 Entries) |publisher=Hemkunt Press |year=2000 |isbn=9788170103011 |pages=150 |quote=NAINA SINGH: Naina Singh was the chief of the Shahid misl in the later part of the eighteenth century. His real name was Narain Singh. He is credited with the introduction of the Nihang type turban for his followers. He groomed the famous Sikh hero Akali Phula Singh and handed over the command of the Shahid misl to him.}}</ref><ref name=":32">{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Harbans |title=The Encyclopedia of Sikhism |publisher=Punjabi University |year=2011 |isbn=978-81-7380-349-9 |edition=3rd |volume=3: M-R |location=Patiala |pages=175}}</ref> Dilgeer on the other hand narrates an entirely different theory of origination apart from the above three theories in his ''Sikh Reference Book''.<ref name=":6" /> According to Dilgeer, the Nihangs originate from the period of Guru Gobind Singh, when during the Battle of Anandpur Sahib on 2 December 1703, the standard-bearer of the Sikhs, Bhai Man Singh, became injured and the pole of the flag broke, thus Guru Gobind Singh tore a strip of cloth from his blue-coloured under-turban (known as a ''keski'') and tied it on the top part of his over-turban, creating what is known as a ''farla''.{{Efn|'Farla' is also spelt as 'farra'.|group=note}}<ref name=":6" /> Mimicking him, other Sikhs of the time, such as Uday Singh, Sahib Singh, Mohkam Singh, and Alam Singh emulated this manner of stylising one's turban with a blue-coloured strip of fabric.<ref name=":6" /> Guru Gobind Singh is then said to have mandated all Sikh leaders to follow this practice, so that the Sikh flag can never be lowered.<ref name=":6" /> Connecting to the theory regarding Fateh Singh, it is then believed Fateh Singh tried to also decorate his turban with a blue ''farla'' in this manner.<ref name=":6" /> This change to the Sikh uniform is said to have led to the arising of the Nihangs.<ref name=":6" /> Surjit Singh Gandhi hypothesized that the Nihangs originate from the heavy martial-emphasis of Guru Gobind Singh.'''<ref name=":222" />'''

According to J. S. Grewal, the Nihangs originate from remnants of the Khalsa of the late 18th century who failed or refused to occupy any territory, and were not associated with government or administration.<ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last=Grewal |first=J. S. |title=The Sikhs of the Punjab |date=Oct 8, 1998 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9780521637640 |pages=96–97}}</ref> As per Sharanjit Kaur Sandhra, the Nihangs likely emerged as a powerful force during the 18th and early 19th century, marked by the decline of the Mughal Empire and rise of Sikh polities, although there may be origins of the group dating earlier.<ref name=":10" />{{Reference page|pages=6–7}} The Nihang tradition may originate from ascetic Shaivite warrior-traditions, as evidenced by the contents of the Sarbloh Granth and ''Chandi di Vār''.<ref name=":8">{{Cite book |title=Panjab University Research Journal: Arts, Volume 44 |publisher=Punjab University |year=2017 |pages=73 |quote=There is a reasonable basis to argue on the basis of Sarb Loh Granth and Chandi di Var that the Nihangs might have been part of the Shaivite warrior ascetic tradition.}}</ref> In traditional Sikh martial arts whose custodianship lies with the Nihangs, Shiva is revered as the ''Adi Akhara Gurdav''.<ref name=":8" />

As per the ''Nihangnama'', various historical works discuss the Nihangs and their origin, such as Daya Singh's ''Rehatnama'', ''Prachin Panth Prakash'', ''Suraj Prakash'', ''Sri Gurpad Prem Prakash'', and ''Naveen Panth Prakash''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Jvala |url=https://punjabilibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Nihangnama_PunjabiLibrary.pdf |title=Nihangnama (The Nihang Treatise) |publisher=Punjabi Library |year=2019 |pages=1–4}}</ref>

=== Pre-colonial period === [[File:Sikhs with chakrams.jpg|thumb|left|''Nihang Abchal Nagar'' (Nihangs from Hazur Sahib), 1844. Shows turban-wearing Sikh soldiers with chakrams.]] It is claimed that the Nihangs arose as early as the period of the Akal Sena of Guru Hargobind, while other theories trace them to the period of Guru Gobind Singh, yet there are few Nihangs recorded in the history of the 18th and 19th centuries aside from Akali Naina Singh and Akali Phula Singh.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> Nihangs claim Baba Deep Singh as being a Nihang and also trace their legacy back to the bifurcation of the Dal Khalsa into to groups, the Buddha Dal and Taruna Dal, by Nawab Kapur Singh in the 18th century.{{Efn|The misl-era Budha Dal was originally created for older members (over 40) by splitting the Dal Khalsa into two. Meanwhile, the Taruna Dal was originally created for younger members (under 40) by splitting the Dal Khalsa into two. The Taruna Dal was further divided in five jathas, each with 1300 to 2000 men and a separate drum and banner.|group=note}}<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{cite book |last=Singha |first=H. S. |title=Sikh studies. Book 7, Banda Singh Bahadur to Maharaja Ranjit Singh |author2=Satwant Kaur |date=1996 |publisher=Hemkunt |isbn=978-81-7010-258-8 |publication-place=New Delhi |oclc=426041638}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Narang |first1=K. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q6oGRgAACAAJ |title=History of Punjab: 1500 - 1558 |last2=Gupta |first2=H. R. |year=1969 |page=216 |access-date=15 July 2010}}</ref> Nihangs claim that their modern organisations sharing the same name can be traced back to these historical organisations of the Misl-era Sikhs.<ref name=":0" /> Akali Phula Singh was the overseer of the Akal Takht in Amritsar during his time and participated in the military conquests of the contemporary Sikh Empire.<ref name=":0" /> The deras of the Nihangs during Sikh-rule were kept independent from those of other Sikh groups.<ref name=":0" /> According to Dilgeer, the Nihangs reached the zenith of their influence during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.<ref name=":6" /> During Sikh-rule, the Nihangs maintained many Sikh places of worship.<ref name=":7" /> With the oncoming of the mantle of leadership of Akali Phula Singh, the Nihangs also became known by a new term, ''Akali''.<ref name=":6" /> Phula Singh and his followers were a source of military-strength for the Sikh Empire but they were also a potential threat to the Sikh throne.<ref name=":10" />{{Reference page|page=4}}

During the Sikh Empire and particularly after the death of Phula Singh, the Nihangs became increasingly addicted to cannabis and lost their influence.<ref name=":6" /> However, another change marked by the death of Phula Singh is Maharaja Ranjit Singh made an order of Sikhs, namely the ''sarbarahs'' and ''mahants'', the custodians of Sikh shrines, with Nihangs assisting in this management structure.{{Efn|Sarbarah is also spelt as 'sarbrah'.|group=note}}<ref name=":6" /> The Nihangs played a role in the Sikh court but were antagonistic to Europeans and sometimes disobeyed orders, sometimes physically and verbally abusing the Sikh maharaja himself.<ref name=":10">Sandhra, Sharanjit Kaur. “Problematizing the Problematic: The Nihangs within the Great Sikh Court of 19th Century India.” T. University of British Columbia, August 2008. Web. 7 May 2026. <<nowiki>https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/ubctheses/24/items/1.0067006</nowiki>>. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) 2008+. PDF: https://open.library.ubc.ca/media/stream/pdf/24/1.0067006/1</ref> European visitors to the Sikh kingdom often wrote negatively about the Nihangs.<ref name=":10" />{{Reference page|pages=1–3}} After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the Nihang order experienced a decline.'''<ref name=":222" />'''

=== British rule === thumb|Akalis at the sarovar of Amritsar, by William Simpson, 1867During British rule, the Nihangs continued to face a decline,'''<ref name=":222" />''' with there being fewer Nihangs, as they had lost the former prestige they held during the pre-colonial period.<ref name=":0" /> In the 1892 census, 1,376 persons recorded themselves as being Nihangs, which this number declining to 431 in the 1901 census.'''<ref name=":222" />''' The system of managing Sikh shrines through ''sarbarahs'', ''mahants'', and Nihangs introduced during the Sikh Empire was continued by the British administeration.<ref name=":6" />

During the Singh Sabha Movement, the Sikh reformers may have adopted the unique markers of Nihangs in order to formulate and promote a separate Sikh identity, encapsulated as the Tat Khalsa.<ref name=":0" /> Aspects of the Nihang dress was adopted by other Sikhs, as it was seen as being "quintessentially" Sikh, alongside the martial aspects of the Nihangs, which was promoted by the British administrators as being ideal Sikh traits.<ref name=":0" /> The Akalis of the 20th century cannot be traced back to the historical Nihangs.<ref name=":0" /> Since 1920, the term ''Akali'' is also used synonymously to refer to members of a Sikh political party called the Shiromani Akali Dal.<ref name=":6" />

=== Post-independence === After the independence of India, Nihang ''deras'' started thriving.<ref name=":0" /> The Nihangs were renowned for their martial qualities but this popular image was damaged in 1978 and thereafter.<ref name=":6" /> During the Punjab insurgency, the Nihangs tended to not support the Khalistan movement, with there only being a few Nihangs who became militants, such as Avtar Singh Brahma and Pipal Singh (as per Ajit Singh Poohla, former leader of the Taruna Dal), who fought for the movement.<ref name=":0" /> On the contrary, there are claims of fighting between the Khalistanis and Nihangs.<ref name=":0" /> It is alleged that a Nihang dera, the dera of Ajit Singh Phoola, was involved in the murder of the family of a Sikh militant named Joga Singh of the Khalistan Commando Force in Khanpur, Amritsar district.<ref name=":0" /> Similarly, Piara Singh Nihang is suspected of murdering over a dozen family members of the Sikh militant Jagir Singh.<ref name=":0" />

The Nihang leader Santa Singh and Ajit Singh Poohla had ties to the Indian National Congress party.<ref name=":6" /> Santa Singh was excommunicated from the Sikh religion in 1984.<ref name=":6" /> In 2001, Baba Santa Singh, the jathedar of Budha Dal, along with 20 Nihang jathadars (leaders), refused to accept the ban on the consumption of bhang by the SGPC.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010326/punjab1.htm#3 Nihangs ‘not to accept’ ban on bhang] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215114/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010326/punjab1.htm#3|date=2016-03-03}}. The Tribune. March 26, 2001.</ref> Baba Santa Singh was excommunicated for a different issue, and replaced with Balbir Singh, who agreed to shun the consumption of bhang.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010310/main7.htm#2 No ‘bhang’ at Hola Mohalla] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208130304/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010310/main7.htm#2|date=2015-12-08}}. The Tribune. March 10, 2001.</ref> thumb|Photograph of a pair of Akali-Nihang Sikhs at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi, by Jasleen Kaur, 15 January 2007 Due to their promotion of the Dasam Granth, the Nihangs have succeeded in preventing, or at least slowing, the SGPC from censuring and removing the scripture entirely from the confines of modern Sikh spirituality.<ref name=":0" /> Many Nihang deras now operate their own Internet websites.<ref name=":0" />

== Arms and attire == thumb|Photograph of a Nihang bodyguard serving in the Nizam of Hyderabad's irregular Sikh army, {{Circa|1865}} Traditional Nihang dress is known as ''Khalsa Swarupa'' or ''bana.<ref name=":0" />'' This comprises full attire of navy blue selected by Guru Gobind Singh after conflicts with Wazir 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> several edged bracelets of iron round on each of their wrists (''jangi kara'') and quoits of steel (''chakram'') tiered in their lofty conical blue turbans, together with the either a ''dori kirpan'' (an open blade kirpan that is worn with a rope attached and was meant to be used as a quick access weapon) or a pesh kabaz – a predecessor to the modern kirpan. When fully armed a Nihang will also bear one or two swords (either the curved talwar or the straight khanda, or another type of sword like saif or ''sarohi'' on his right hip), a katar (dagger) on his left hip, a buckler made from buffalo-hide (''dhal'') 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 (''kamaan'') or spear (''barcha''). 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. The firearms carried by Nihangs are either a ''toradar'' (matchlock) or a musket. In modern times nihangs also carry revolvers, semi-automatic pistols, double-barreled shotguns and bolt-action rifles<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-nihangs-all-you-need-to-know-about-them/398285|title=Nihangs: All You Need To Know About This Sikh Sect|date=21 October 2021|website=outlookindia.com/|access-date=23 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Weapons_of_Guru_Gobind_Singh | title=Weapons of Guru Gobind Singh - SikhiWiki, free Sikh encyclopedia }}</ref> The Nihangs favour the dark blue colour for their clothing, which they adopted to emulate Guru Gobind Singh's attire when he escaped from Chamkaur through the Machhiwara jungle.<ref>Hardgrave, R. L. (1996). An Early Portrayal of the Sikhs: Two 18th Century Etchings by Baltazard Solvyns. ''International Journal of Punjab Studies'', ''3''(2), 213-27. Accessed via: https://www.laits.utexas.edu/solvyns-project/sikhs.html</ref>[[File:A Sikh Hooper Western 1860s.jpg|thumb|A Nihang wearing ''dastar bunga'']]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 called ''astbhuja'' which could be used for stabbing in close-quarters. Other times, the turbans would be armed with a ''bagh nakh'' (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). The Nihangs engage in horsemanship and traditional Sikh martial arts. They have a special affinity to steel (''sarbloh'') weaponry.'''<ref name=":222" />'''

== Organisation and leadership == There are four main factions amongst the Nihangs of the modern-era, them namely being:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Judge |first=Paramjit S. |date=2021-10-20 |title=Nihang tradition is rich. Don't just view them through Singhu killing lens |url=https://theprint.in/opinion/nihang-tradition-is-rich-dont-just-view-them-through-singhu-killing-lens/753118/ |access-date=2022-09-02 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US |quote=There are four factions among the Nihangs: Budha Dal, Taruna Dal, Ranghreta Dal, and Bidhi Chand Taruna Dal. The last two are less prominent. Not much is talked about the Ranghreta Dal, and it consists of Nihangs exclusively belonging to the Mazhabi caste, whereas the Nihangs identified with Bidhi Chand, a devout follower of the sixth Guru of the Sikhs, are confined to village Sur Singh in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district to which he belonged.}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Pashaura |title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies |last2=Fenech |first2=Louis E. |date=March 2014 |publisher=Oxford Handbooks, OUP Oxford, 2014 |isbn=9780191004117 |pages=378–380 |chapter=Taksals, Akharas, and Nihang Deras |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8I0NAwAAQBAJ&dq=bidhi+chand+dal&pg=PA372}}</ref><ref name=":1" />{{Efn|The Taruna Dal is alternatively spelt/transliterated as 'Tarna'. The Ranghreta Dal is alternatively spelt/transliterated as 'Rangreta'.|group=note}}

* Budha Dal – Their headquarters are located in Raqba. * Taruna Dal * Bidhi Chand Dal – Descend from lineage of Bidhi Chand, a contemporary warrior and companion of the Sikh Gurus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home - The Nihang Singhs |url=https://www.nihangsinghs.de/ |access-date=2022-09-02 |website=www.nihangsinghs.de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Baba Bidhi Chand Dal |url=https://www.deutsches-informationszentrum-sikhreligion.de/pdf/web/viewer.html?file=/images/BabaBidhiChandJi.pdf |access-date=2022-09-02 |website=www.deutsches-informationszentrum-sikhreligion.de |language=Punjabi}}</ref> Confined to Sur Singh locality.<ref name=":0" /> * Ranghreta Dal – Prominent amongst Mazhabi Sikhs.

The latter two groups are much less prominent than the former two. Each of the four main faction may have sub-groups representing further divisions.<ref name=":0" /> There is no central command within the Nihang Dals, although there are ''Jathedars''.<ref name=":0" /> There may be more than one jathedar within a Nihang Dal who operate independently from one another, for example the Taruna Dal.<ref name=":0" /> Once a Nihang is elevated to the jathedar office, they generally keep that position for life.<ref name=":0" /> Whilst there may be an individual who is assigned as being second-in-command to the jathedar, this is rarely realised.<ref name=":0" /> Each ''Dal'' broadly consists of both a mobile and stationary group.<ref name=":0" /> The mobile group of the Budha Dal, for example, is the ''Dalpanth''.<ref name=":0" /> There has been incidents of conflict in the past between different groups of ''Akalis'', even within the same faction.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Budha Dal Factions Clash |url=https://panthic.org/articles/3579 |access-date=2022-09-02 |website=panthic.org |language=en}}</ref>

==Use of intoxicants== {{See also|Cannabis and Sikhism}} thumb|Gouache by an Amritsar artist depicting the preparation and consumption of Indian hemp (bhang), ca.1870 Some Nihang groups consume cannabis or ''shaheedi degh'' ({{lang|pa|ਭੰਗ}}), also known as ''sukha'','''<ref name=":222" />''' 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 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203160840/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040103/asp/opinion/story_2735311.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 3, 2013 |title=Mad About Words |publisher=Telegraphindia.com |date=2004-01-03 |access-date=2014-01-04}}</ref> ''Sūkha parshaad'' ({{lang|pa|ਸੁੱਖ ਪ੍ਰਰਸਾਦ}}), "Comfort-gift", is the term Nihang use to refer to it.<ref name=":0" /> It is 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> While consuming cannabis, the Nihangs strictly shun and forbid usage of any tobacco or alcohol.'''<ref name=":222" />'''

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. March 26, 2001.</ref> According to a 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 |date=2011-10-29 |access-date=2014-01-04}}</ref>

== Deras and gurdwaras == thumb|Photograph of Burj Akali Phula Singh, ca.1914. This was the central cantonment of the Akalis/Nihangs under the command of Akali Phula Singh. The Nihangs operate their own ''deras'' (also known as ''chhaunis'', meaning "cantonment"), which are similar to ''akharas'' and ''taksals'', except that the Nihang deras focus more on martial training and there is a maintenance of warlike qualities.<ref name=":0" /> Each Nihang dera has a special area where ''sukha'' is prepared.<ref name=":0" /> At Nihang deras, weapons are kept and this is normalised.<ref name=":0" /> Nihang deras traditionally kept horses but in the modern-period, automobiles are also kept for transport.<ref name=":0" /> Nihangs also operate their own ''gurdwaras'', with groups of Nihang run gurdwaras being associated with a particular Nihang dera.<ref name=":0" /> Nihang deras are under the command of the ''jathedar'' of their respective associated ''dal''.<ref name=":0" />

== Nishan Sahib == {{Main|Nishan Sahib}}

thumb|Nishan Sahib in blue, at Baba Phoola Singh di Burj in Amritsar. Those managed by Nihang Dal, have a blue flag instead of traditional orange flag in those managed by SGPC.

The Nihangs carry a unique Nishan Sahib, being navy/electric blue, and (sometimes) bright yellow or basanti with a tegha, dhal and katar.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}} Yellow in Punjabi culture signifies sacrifice, revolt and honour while blue signifies courage, bravery and patriotism. In Punjab, blue is the colour of Khalsa, and yellow the colour of Kshatriyas.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}} Due to various passages from the Dasam Granth, the Nihangs see themselves as Kshatriyas, but believe that the ''varna'' is not limited to ones heritage.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

== Scriptures == [[File:The 3 Sikh Granths.png|thumb|Nihang reading from the Sarbloh Granth, with the Dasam Granth and Adi Granth on his left]] The Nihang sect equally reveres the Guru Granth Sahib, Dasam Granth, and Sarbloh Granth.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Pashaura |title=The Sikh World |last2=Mandair |first2=Arvind-Pal Singh |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2023 |isbn=9780429848384 |series=Routledge Worlds |quote=The Nihangs' focus on the traditions of Guru Gobind Singh carry over to his writings as well. They hold the Guru's Dasam Granth in the same regard as Guru Granth Sahib and draw inspiration from its vividly heroic stories. Additionally, Nihangs hold the Sarab Loh Granth in equal esteem. The Sarab Loh Granth is attributed to Guru Gobind Singh and narrates more stories about the conflict between moral gods and evil demons. The drawn-out conflict comes to a head with god taking the incarnate form known as Sarab Loh (all-steel) who was able to overwhelm Brijnad, the demon king, with its martial prowess. The purity of steel, its resolve and durability, all serve as analogies for Akal Purakh's righteousness to which the Nihangs' aspire. Their devotion to the all-steel incarnation is demonstrated via the many steel weapons with which they train and adorn themselves, as well as through their insistence on even their cookware and utensils being made of steel.}}</ref><ref name=":0" />'''<ref name=":222" />''' They read excerpts from all three scriptures as part of their daily ''Nitnem'' and hymns from them are performed as ''kirtan'' and taught as ''katha'' to Nihang ''sangats'' (congregations).'''<ref name=":222" />''' They attribute the later two works to Guru Gobind Singh.<ref name=":02" /> They consider the Dasam Granth and the Sarbloh Granth as extensions of the Guru Granth Sahib. As such, they refer to these scriptures as ''Sri Dasam Guru Granth Sahib'', and ''Sri Sarbloh Guru Granth Sahib''.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Singh |first=Jasjit |date=July 2014 |title=The Guru's Way: Exploring Diversity Among British Khalsa Sikhs |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/rec3.12111 |journal=Religion Compass |volume=8 |issue=7 |pages=209–219 |doi=10.1111/rec3.12111 |issn=1749-8171|url-access=subscription }}</ref> They call the Guru Granth Sahib, ''Aad Guru Granth Sahib''. They also sometimes refer to the scriptures as "Durbar", such as ''Aad Guru Durbar''. The Sarbloh Granth has another name, as ''Sri Manglacharan Purana''. They believe that all three of these scriptures are authentic, written by the Gurus and are one and the same.<ref name=":4" /> For this reason, they will often place the Dasam and Aad Granths on the same level and on the same throne (also known as the ''palki''). They also sometimes do this for the Sarbloh Granth as well.

== Festivals == {{Further information|List of Sikh festivals|Punjabi festivals|List of fairs and festivals in Punjab, India}}[[File:Nihangs from Annandpur Sahib-002.jpg|thumb|A group of Nihangs from Anandpur Sahib]]The Nihangs celebrate Sikh festivals like other Sikhs, with the Dalpanth sub-division (but also other Nihang groups) travelling to Amritsar to celebrate Vaisakhi, Anandpur for Hola Mohalla, Muktsar for Maghi Mela, and Baba Bakala for Rakharh Punnian.<ref name=":0" /> The largest Nihang celebration tends to be at Hola Mohalla in Anandpur.<ref name=":0" /> Places associated with the Sikh gurus are frequented by Nihang organisations during festivities.<ref name=":0" />

== Diet == {{Further|Diet in Sikhism|Meat consumption among Sikhs}} Nihangs tend to be non-vegetarians. They practice the ''jhatka'' method of slaughter, where the animal is killed in a single strike. They make use of iron or steel (sarbloh) utensils.'''<ref name=":222" />'''

== Nihang women == [[File:Nihang Singh and Nihang Singhani.jpg|thumb|A Nihang Singh and a Nihang Singhani, by Kehar Singh]]According to a 19th-century account by Giani Gian Singh, a small number of Nihang women also chose to wear turbans.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |title=Bhai Vir Singh (1872–1957): Religious and Literary Modernities in Colonial and Post-Colonial Indian Punjab |date=Apr 27, 2023 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |others=Edited by Anshu Malhotra, Anne Murphy |isbn=9781000867008 |quote=... [Vir Singh] would have been familiar with a small number of female Nihangs who donned turbans in the nineteenth century as chronicled by Giani Gian Singh ... Eleanor Nesbit too has gathered little-known descriptions, narratives and artistic renderings of Sikhs by Western women from the nineteenth to twenty-first centuries, including Emily Eden's 1838 watercolour of an Akali woman. The painting depicts "a mounted Akli-Nihang woman wearing a blue turban comparable in height to her husband's' (Nesbitt forthcoming).}}</ref> An 1838 watercolour by Emily Eden depicts a Nihang woman with a turban the same size as her husband's.<ref name=":3" />

== Dialect == {{Main|Khalsa bole}}

The Nihangs have developed their own coded language, known as ''Khalsa bole''.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies |publisher=OUP Oxford |others=Pashaura Singh, Louis E. Fenech |year=2014 |isbn=9780191004117 |series=Oxford Handbooks |pages=380}}</ref> The Nihangs use certain vocabulary with distinct semantics.<ref name=":0" /> They may have developed this unique linguistic quirk due to their relative isolation.<ref name=":0" /> It may have also developed in-order to keep the user in good-spirits and demoralize their enemies.'''<ref name=":222" />'''

== Relationship to other Sikhs == Whilst Nihangs have gained a reputation of being brave and fearless fighters, being remembered for their sacrifices in the form of martyrdom for the Sikh community (''Quom''), they are treated rather indifferently and ambivalently by other Sikhs despite the visible presence (due to their unique clothing and behaviour) and symbolism of the Nihangs.<ref name=":0" /> Some Sikhs view Nihangs in a negative-light, marking them as creating mischief and connecting them to murders and land-grabbing.<ref name=":0" /> Ordinary Sikhs may view Nihangs as being ''bhang'' (or ''sukha'') consumers but also as trouble-makers who avoid paying for train or bus tickets.<ref name=":0" /> The tellings of the Sikh past narrated and performed by ''ragis'' and ''dhadis'' highlight on the sacrifices the Nihangs have made throughout Sikh history.<ref name=":0" />

Thus, Nihangs can be described as being a "neglected" segment of the Sikh community, being subjected to puns, but also being viewed as being particularly orthodox Sikhs.<ref name=":0" /> Therefore, the current situation of the Nihangs is one where they have mostly lost their relevance and significance in the Sikh faith in the eyes of other Sikhs.<ref name=":0" /> However, their contributions to ''gatka'' and promoting the Dasam Granth keep them relevant in the present-day.<ref name=":0" />

Nihang beliefs and practices differ from those ordained in the ''Sikh Rehat Maryada'' promulgated by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.<ref name=":0" /> A key difference is the importance the Nihangs place on the Dasam Granth, meanwhile many other Sikh groups, such as the SGPC, prefer to maintain distance from the work or even deny it outright.<ref name=":0" /> Despite these differences, the SGPC and other Sikh bodies generally hold back from criticising Nihangs on their traditions, with both Nihangs and other Sikhs usually not making critical comments about each-other's differing practices and beliefs.<ref name=":0" /> However, there have been times where the Nihang practice of holding ''prakash'' (installation of a Sikh scripture) of the controversial Dasam Granth beside the Guru Granth Sahib at their places of worship have raised criticism from some SGPC representatives, which are met with refutations from the Nihang.<ref name=":0" /> Nihangs tend to be sensitive to criticisms of the Dasam Granth.<ref name=":0" />

== Popular culture == The Nihang is featured as a unique unit for the city-state Lahore in ''Civilization VI''. The city-state and unit were brought into the game during the New Frontier Pass.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thegamer.com/civilization-vi-frontier-pass-content-release-civs-game-mode-breakdown/|title=What to Expect from Civilization VI's New Frontier Pass|last=Gillon|first=Khalil|date=May 21, 2020|access-date=December 10, 2024|publisher=The Gamer}}</ref>

In September 2023, a depiction of a Nihang Sikh was painted on the top-right section of an official illustration of the Dallas Cowboys football team as part of the ''Carpe Omnia'' ('seize everything') theme for the upcoming sports season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Monet |first=Jazz |date=2023-09-07 |title=Carpe omnia: Dallas Cowboys intend to 'seize everything' in 2023 |url=https://insidethestar.com/carpe-omnia-dallas-cowboys-intend-to-seize-everything-in-2023/ |access-date=2023-09-08 |website=Inside The Star |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaur |first=Kamaljit |date=2023-09-07 |title=ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ’ਚ ਨੈਸ਼ਨਲ ਫੁੱਟਬਾਲ ਲੀਗ ਦੀ ਟੀਮ Dallas Cowboys ਨੇ ਜਰਸੀ ’ਤੇ ਲਗਾਈ ਜਰਨੈਲ ਹਰੀ ਸਿੰਘ ਨਲੂਆ ਦੀ ਤਸਵੀਰ |trans-title=Dallas Cowboys team of the National Football League in America put the picture of General Hari Singh Nalua on the jersey |url=https://www.rozanaspokesman.in/news/sports/070923/nfl-dallas-cowboys-are-wearing-hoodies-with-emblem-of-famous-sikh-warr.html |access-date=2023-09-08 |website=Rozana Spokesman |language=pa}}</ref>

==See also== {{div col}} * Amrit Sanskar * Damdami Taksal * Dumalla * Gatka * Shastar Vidya * Langar * Jhatka * Lohgarh (Bilaspur) * Misls * Nishan Sahib * List of Nihangs {{col div end}}

== Notes == {{Reflist|group=note}}

== References == {{reflist}}

== Sources == * ''[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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090610004350/http://www.nihangsingh.org/Introduction.html |date=2009-06-10 }} * [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