It is important to appreciate the traditional hierarchy
that existed within the Khalsa, which was essentially based on a
military system. It also has to be understood that
democracy does not work in an army and that by applying the principles
of democracy to the Khalsa Sikh religion, one will wrongly consider
all Khalsa Sikhs as equals.
The question arises, how could a new initiate into
the Khalsa be considered equal to a Khalsa warrior who had (over
the years) earned merit through assiduous study of Khalsa traditions,
history, etc. and, most importantly, selfless service and sacrifice
to Guru's cause?
Those Khalsa Sikhs, who had arisen through the Khalsa ranks, having
proved themselves, earned the title first of 'Nihang',
then 'Akali Nihang'. Hence these Singhs earned
their superior position over other Khalsa Sikhs through merit.
A 'Bhujangi'
A photograph of a Bhujangi (young Nihang Singh) at Anandpur Sahib
serving langar (food from the free kitchen) dressed in a 'chola'
(knee-length shirt)
The Singh Khalsa (non-Nihang Singhs)
dressed and behaved like Nihangs but in more peaceful times, they
would discard their weapons and blue dress, and, adopting everyday
clothes, would return to their ancestral trades.
The Nihang Singhs attended upon the Akalis and did
not discard their particular dress even in peaceful times.
The majority lived a life of celibacy devoted to the cause of the
Guru. They either lead a wandering life within the itinerant Akali
Nihang Dals (Armies) or settled down as custodians of Sikh temples.
Akali Nihang Singh
A photograph of Akali Nihang Baba Kartar Singh Ji taken at
Batinda, Punjab. He is dressed in the traditional 'baana' (uniform)
of the
Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa and possesses a 'Farla' (loose piece of
hanging cloth) above
his 'Dastaar Boongah' (towering conical turban) that distinguishes
him as an Akali Nihang Singh
Thus there were traditionally three types of Khalsa.
At top of the Khalsa hierarchy were the Akali Nihang Singhs who
were followed by the Nihang Singhs and finally the Singhs.
Akali Nihang Singh
A very old painting of an Akali Nihang Singh adorned with
a 'chakar' (quoit) tied to his 'joora' (top-knot of hair) and wearing
the
distinctive 'neela baana' (dark blue uniform) of the Akali Nihang
Singh Khalsa
Taksali (scholarly) Singhs and Nirmala (saintly) Singhs
were generally counted amongst the Singh Khalsa even though they
were not strictly seen or considered as warriors per se. Prominent
Khalsa amongst these groups, and from amongst the non-Khalsa Udasis,
were respected in accordance with their spiritual status.
Udhasi
A photograph of Baba Kaliyan Das Udhasi at Pashupati, Nepal
Great holy men such as Bhai Mani Singh were, in terms
of spiritual influence over the Sikhs, on par with Akali Nihang
Singhs. On non-military matters, their advice and endorsement of
plans was always eagerly sought after.
