NIHUNG SINGH
Nihang Singhs are unattached to worldly materials. They wear blue clothes and tie a turban that is a foot high with a “dumala” on top of it. They always keep several weapons such as chakars or a khanda on themselves.
The Nihangs, the 'Dare Devils' of the Sikh Panth, are members of an order established by Guru Gobind Singh Ji more than 300 years ago. Renowned for their martial skills the Nihangs (men such as Akali Phula Singh) are the Vanguards of the Sikh nation, whose vocation in life is to be a warrior and protect the Gurdwaras and be on the forefront of battles. Though there is no concrete account of how the Nihangs came about, it is told by many Singhs that one day the three Sahibzaadey (princes of Guru Gobind Singh Ji) were performing their battle skills, and the youngest of them all Baba Fateh Singh Ji also wanted to play with his brothers. The other brothers replied: “At the moment you are too small.”
The Sahibzaadey felt so let down, that he went inside the palace and tied a dastaar (turban) as tall as one hand. He put on a blue dress. Placed a Chakar (round disc carried on a belt or worn on the turban) on himself. He adorned himself with a small Khanda. Over his dastaar he wrapped a ‘dumalla’ and in he held in his hand a spear, with wore his Kirpaan. He then went to where his brothers were playing and said, “Now I don’t look small.”
Seeing his son, looking so handsome and beautiful, Guru Ji said: “From this dress the Nihangs will be formed.”
For this reason up to this day Nihang Singhs are called ‘Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Laddleeaa Faujaa(n) (Beloved Army)’.
Another story relates that Guru Gobind Singh Ji was (so) impressed by Bhai Maha Singh’s dress, character and fighting skills that Guru Ji said, “You will have your own Panth”. However, this story makes no sense. Would Guru Gobind Singh Ji want his Sikhs to follow the Guru’s Panth and path or follow the Panth and path of individual Sikhs? Therefore, these myths can be dismissed.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji said that the Nihangs will be generous, follow strict adherence to Dharma. When the sword is wielded, it will give out sparks like fireworks are going. Fighting in the battlefield in this way it will seem like a crocodile is coming out of the sea:
In Frame - Runjeet Singh Khalsa
Concept & Capture - Simranjeet Singh
Collaboration - Jaspal Singh Art
