The Multifarious Faces of Sikhism
throughout Sikh History
Page 4 of 4
Nirankaris
cont'd
Akali Nihangs throughout their history, as
today, have never had anything do with ‘Pameh’
(Brahmins). Sunder Singh Ramgharia, a Sanatan
Sikh who became the British appointed ‘Sarbrah’
of the Golden Temple after Arura Singh, whilst
quoting an unnamed source writes about the Akali
Nihangs:
‘They are
very strict Sikhs and retain very carefully
the five Kakkas (K’s). They
generally partake plentifully of bhang [hemp].
They are often celibate, and their marriages
when performed are carried out without the
aid of Brahmans.’
Guide to the Durbar Sahib or Golden Temple
of Amritsar: Lahore 1903. P. 34
Darshan Deori
The entrance to the Golden Temple, Amritsar,
circa 1900. The doorway
is beaten silver and the two tablets on either
side of the door are in gold raised
lettering describing the miraculous escape of
the temple when struck by lightening
As Nirankaris promoted ‘Anand
Karj’, they ended up inspiring
the Namdhari Guru Ram Singh
(for more information on Namdharis, click here).
He in turn, on 4th June 1863, established his
version of Anand Karj. Mrs Beant Kaur speaks
of Namdhari marriage thus:
-‘A wooden pavilion
(Vedi) was erected at the site of marriage
ceremony. The Havan Yag was performed
in the center of the pavilion, not by Brahmin
or Pandits but by Gursikhs: by reciting
the Gurbani of Sri Adi Granth Sahib and
Dasam Granth Sahib. - the girl
as well as the boy were then blessed with
Amrit and Guru Mantra. -the Lavans (Mantras)
were recited from the sacred Adi Granth
Sahib Ji – four anti-clock wise circles
were performed by the couple around the
sacred fire of the Havan, inside the pavilion
-both the bride and bridegroom wore simple
white dress with woolen rosary around their
necks.' ‘The Namdhari Sikhs’,
by Beant Kaur Namdhari, Pa. 23
Baba Ram Singh
A contemporary painting of the founder of the
Namdhari order of Sikhs
In the 1890s, as Tat Khalsa Singh Sabhias endeavored
to firmly establish a distinct Sikh identity
from Hindus, they endeavored to utilize the
Sehajdhari Nirankari Sikh version of 'Anand
Karj', which was no doubt based upon an earlier
Akali Nihang version. The Tat Khalsa Singh Sabhias
pushed for the Nirankari form to be recognized
as the official Sikh form of marriage under
British Raj law. One of the main campaigners
to push this movement was the ardent Tat Khalsa
Singh Sabhia, Bhai Jodh Singh,
who married his son to the daughter of the Nirankari
Guru, Bhai Rata Ji (1830-1909)
– the younger brother of Baba
Darbara Singh.
The Sikh ‘Anand Marriage Act’,
with the assistance of the King of Patiala and
the Namdhari Guru, Baba Partap Singh,
was passed by British on 20th October 1909.
Baba Partap Singh
Baba Partap Singh (seated left) with Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru at
Bhaini Sahib after the independence of India
was officially declared
Baba Rata Ji was succeeded by his son Baba
Gurdit Singh (1868-1947), whose son
Baba Hara Singh, succeeded him. After partition
of India in 1947, Hara Singh
made the new Nirankari base in the city of Chandigarh.
He died in 1972, and was succeeded by his son
Dr Mann Singh Ji.
Dr Mann Singh Nirankari
The world famous eye surgeon who can trace his
lineage to Baba Dyal Singh
Nirankaris who started off as being Sehajdhari
Sikhs, have now largely merged themselves with
mainstream Tat Khalsa Singh Sabhia S.G.P.C.
Sikhism.
