The Multifarious Faces of Sikhism
throughout Sikh History
Page 1 of 8
Hazoori
Sikhs
Time of origin: 1708
One may ask the question: ‘What if the
British Raj did not establish itself in India?’
What would the present day, original Akali
Nihang Singh Khalsa Sikhism be like? The answer
to this is that it would be very like the Sikhism
found in modern day Sach Khand Hazoor
Sahib (in Nanded, Maharastra). Here,
a Sikhism unaffected by the Tat Khalsa Singh
Sabhias, or S.G.P.C. Gurdwara reform movement
flourishes. Like the Akali Nihang Dals, the
traditions of Sach Khand Hazoor Sahib remain,
as far as possible today, in their pristine
state. It is the Sikhs of Hazoor Sahib who are
known as ‘Hazoori Sikhs’.
Takht Sri Sach Khand Hazoor Sahib
The fourth 'Takht' (seat of authority) within
the Sanatan Sikh world and the site that marks
the place where Akali Nihang Guru Gobind Singh
Ji ascended to 'Sach Khand' (abode of truth)
According to mythology, during the age of ‘Sat
Yuga’ (Age of Truth), Akali Nihang
Guru Gobind Singh as Dusht Daman, aided Chandi
in defeating the demons and meditated on Immortal
God ‘Akal Purakh’.
It was here during ‘Kal Yuga’
(Age of Technology) in 1708, that Akali Nihang
Guru Gobind Singh departed from the mortal world
and installed the Adi Guru Durbar as the eternal
Guru of all Sikhs. This was the time that the
first community of Akali Nihang Sikhs was established
in Nanded. With regards to the origin of Sach
Khand Hazoor Sahib, the noted Sikh scholar and
historian Piara Singh Padam commented:
‘The founding of Hazoor
Sahib was by Nihangs. It is the
gift of Nihang Singhs. It was they
who were with the tenth master when his
light merged into the divine.’
Piara Singh Padam, transcript of interview
on 03-03-2001
Chandi Di Vaar
Folio from Dasam Guru Durbar depicting Chandi
slaying demons,
circa 1850-1860. 'Chandi Di Vaar' written by
Akali Nihang Guru Gobind Singh ji
speaks of Nihang warriors fighting for 'Dharam'
(divine universal law of righteousness)
In Suraj Prakash, it states that it was Bhai
Santokh Singh Ji, an Akali Nihang who was made
first Jathedar of Hazoor Sahib by Akali Nihang
Guru Gobind Singh. He was told to look after
the shrine and run ‘Langar’
(a free kitchen) and ‘Degh’
of ‘Sukha’ for
all.
Akali Nihang Guru Gobind Singh
Pahari painting entitled 'Guru Gobind Singh
riding towards his own funeral pyre', circa
mid 19th century
Then Akali Nihang Baba Gajjan Singh
joined Bhai Santokh Singh and took
up the construction of the premises. Shortly
afterwards, Bhai Mela Singh
and his band of thirty or so Nihang Singhs joined
them. It was around 1710 when the first proper
shrine to Akali Nihang Guru Gobind Singh was
erected. By this time Udhasis were also to be
found there. Many had, like Seva Das,
traveled there with Akali Nihang Guru Gobind
Singh and his Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa army.