Akali Nihang Guru Gobind Singh called the army of
Akali Nihang Singhs his ‘Ladlee Fauj’
(beloved army) and made the battle-experienced Akali Nihangs the
vanguard of the new Khalsa Dal (army).
Both Giani Gian Singh and Koer Singh (noted historians)
spoke of the authority that the Akalis and Nihangs had over other
Khalsa Sikhs:
'The master Singhs are the Guru's Akalis.'
('Nveen Panth Prkash', Giani Gian Singh, Vasha Vibhag Pa.1266)
'He who the Khalsa considers as its leader
and who worships is but You [Vaeh Guru] alone. Know his name
as Nihang.'
('Gurbilas Dasvi', Koer Singh, Pa. 188)
Akali Nihang Singh
A photograph of an Akali Nihang Singh on his
'Jaan Bhai' (a term given to a steed meaning 'life brother')
In ‘Dumaley deh salok’
(a composition contained in the Akali Nihang daily liturgy) the
following lines are sung:
'We are the Akalis, the masters and protectors
of all.
Our way is distinct from all.
For our faith and race we waged war, holding the double-edged
Khanda (sword), slaying all things ephemeral,
holding a severe club.
In the enlightened state is our fortress.
He who is greater than Maha Kal [death] is
our guardian.
On our heads is a crown [hair], and on it is the chakar [quoit].
A wonderful calling has come to us. To Nanak and
Guru Gobind Singh [ie. the Ten Gurus], before You we place our
head.'
(Dumalley deh Salok)
Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa
An old painting of two Akali Nihang Singhs carrying 'Salotars' (heavy
wooden clubs)
adorned with 'chakars' (quoits) and 'teghas' (heavy single-edged
swords) in the 'kamarkasars' (waist-belts)
In a British encyclopaedia of the early 20th Century,
the following was noted:
'The Akali headquarters were the Akal Bunga
at Amritsar where they assumed the direction of religious ceremonies
and the duty of convoking the Gurmata; indeed
they laid claim to exercise a general leadership of the Khalsa.'
('Encyclopaedia Of Religion and Ethics', 1908 Pa.268-269)
Early last century, Professor Puran Singh recognised
the traditional superiority of the Akali Nihangs over other Khalsa:
'Akali was the Khalsa, but
with an increased share of the Master’s Amrit [ambrosial
nectar] in him. He was already immortal, he had shaken off his
body; there was no consciousness of death, sin, or self. He
wrecked nothing, nor did he heed nothing. So great was
the power of soul in him that he called death a Charahi [an
ascension to Heaven].'
('The Ten Masters' , by Professor Puran Singh )
Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa
A watercolour done by William Carpenter in the later 1800s of
an Akali Nihang Singh warrior holding a 'tabar' (saddle-axe), and
a matchlock pistol
