Before the establishment of the British Raj in the
Punjab, Sikhism was essentially an Akali Nihang Sikhism with the
foremost spiritual leaders of this early Sikh world being the Akali
Nihangs.
Horace Hayman Wilson's accounts of Sikh sects are
contained in his Religious Sects of the Hindus', the first volume
of which appeared in the 'Asiatic Researches' in 1828. The second
volume appeared in 1832. Under the title 'Nanak Shahis',
Wilson describes the most important of Sikh sects:
'Govind Sinhis: These form the most important
division of the Sikh community, being in fact the political
association to which the name is applied, or the Sikh nation
generally. Although professing to derive their national faith
from Nanack, and holding his memory in veneration, the faith
they follow is widely different from the quietism of that reformer,
and is wholly of a worldly and warlike spirit. Guru Govind devoted
his followers to steel, and hence the worship of the sword,
as well as its employment against both Muhammadans and Hindus.
He also ordered his adherents to allow their hair and
beards to grow, and to wear blue garments: he permitted them
to eat all kinds of flesh, except that of kine, and he threw
open his faith and cause to all castes, to whomsoever chose
to abandon the institutes of Hinduism, or belief in the mission
of Muhammad, for a fraternity of arms and life of predatory
daring.'
('Western Image Of The Sikh Religion, A source book, Ed. by
Darshan Singh, Pa.111)
Chatka
Akali Nihang Singhs carry out the process of skinning and gutting
a
goat that has just been freshly killed by the Chatka process (killing
with one blow)
The blue clad ‘Govind Sinhis’ to whom
Wilson referred to were clearly identified in another of his articles.
In 1848, he published an article in the 'Journal of the Royal Asiatic
Society' (Vol IX) called 'Civil and Religious Institutions of the
Sikhs'. In this article he wrote:
'…Akalis: a class of fanatics calling
themselves Immortals, and who are also known as Govind-sinhis.
These are still distinguished by the blue colour of
their garments and by carrying steel
in the form of the chakar or discus always
about their persons. Goroo Govende Singh added to Baba Nanak's
book a millitary code, in which he laid down rules for carrying
on war; and he formed a complete military knighthood…’
('Western Image Of The Sikh Religion, A source book, Ed. by
Darshan Singh, Pa. 93)
Blue Garments
An Akali Nihang Singh poses for a photogragh dressed in
the traditional 'neela baana' (dark blue uniform) of the Akali Nihang
Singh Khalsa
Thus, Wilson made it clear that it was the Akalis,
also known as the Singhs of Guru Gobind Singh, who formed the most
important division of Sikh society.
