History of the Sikh Gurus (Second Guru --- Sixth Guru)
Sandeep S Bajwa
In article <4m91se$j...@news1.uk.pipeline.com>, Perwesh Sharma
<sha...@uk.pipeline.com> wrote:
>Second question is 'Were the Gurus from just one family?' Call it my
>ignorance or lack of interest, I had only heard about Guru Nanak, Guru
>Arjun Dev, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Rai. Sandeep's article tells
>me that last three were of the same family.
>
First four gurus were not from the same family, although all Khatris.
1. Guru Nanak dev ji were born in Bedi Khatri family. His two most
devoted disciples were Bhai Buddha ji and Bhai Lehna ji. Neither of them
was a candidate for Guruship, they did not know that Guru wanted them to
be next guru. The Guru's selction of Bhai Lehna ji might be due to the
fact that he was more educated than Bhai Buddha ji, and also Bhai Lehna
ji were older than Bhai Buddha ji. To him Guru Nanak said : "Between
thee and me there is now no difference. None of my Sikhs hath such faith
and confidence in me as thou, and therefore I love thee most of all.
Thou art verily Angad a part of my body. I congratulate thee"
(Macauliffe, page 9) Nanak had rejected claims of his eldest son Sri
Chand as he had ascetic tendency. His younger son Lakhmi Das was not
interested in spiritual matters. Sri Chand was religious minded, many
sikhs became his followers. They were called Udasis, or the disappointed
ones with the world. Udasis are not Sikhs.
2. Guru Angad Dev ji were born as Trehan Khatri, on March 31, 1504
A.D. at Matte di Sarae in Firozepur District. On a way to pilgrimage
Lahna heard of Guru Nanak. He came to Kartarpur to pay a casual visit
and was caught for good. He served as Guru from 1539 to 1552. Guru Angad
dev ji invented Punjabi Gurmukhi script and spent most of his life
spreading Guru Nanak's bani and writing it down on Books. Guru Angad dev
ji as son of Mahajan knew Lande Mahajani script, he invented a new script
to write down Guru's bani, called it Gurmukhi, the same Punjabi we write
today. Guru Angad got many of Guru Nanak's earlist hymns from Bala
Sandhu who was companion of Guru Nanak to his long voyages. Here is one
incident,
Humayun while fleeing to Iran after he lost a battle with Sher
Shah Suri came to visit Guru Angad dev ji at Khadur Sahib for Guru's
blessings against the Sher Shah Suri. Guru Angad
Dev remembered the Guru Nanak's hymns which said "They shall come in
seventy-eight (1521 AD) depart in ninety-seven (1540 AD), and then shall
rise another discpile of a hero." The Guru's silence engraged the
Emperor Humayun who drew out his sword at the Guru. Guru Angad remarked
that this sword should have been better used against rival Sher Shah Suru
rather than aainst the innocent man of the God who could not be forced to
grant a boon. Humayun expressed regret and his temper cooled down.
Guru Angad dev ji passed away on March 29, 1552 at the age of 48,
and nominated his 73 year old devout disciple Amar Das. Guru Angad's sons
disappoved of this pass of Guruship to Amardas.
3. Guru Amardas ji were born as Bhalla Khatri at village Basarke about
13 kms south-west of Amritsar. His father was Tej Bhan Bhalla,, a local
petty trader. They were all staunch sanatanists, and vegetarians. Amar
das had a wife, two sons and two daughters. He often went to Haridwar
and Jwalamukhi on pilgrimages and strictly observed all religious rites
and ceromonies. Amar Das had crossed sixty years of age. His brother
Manak chand lived nearby his house, Manak Chand's wife Bibi Amro use to
sing Guru Nanak's hymns. Amar Das must have heard her singing many times
before. He engquired whose hymns she was singing and immediately made up
his mind to call on Guru Angad. It was in 1541, when Amardas was 62 years
old. Guru Amardas ji were on Guru ship from 1552 to 1574, he moved to
Goindwal from Khadur to avoid conflict with Guru Angad's son's., elder of
whom named Datu had declared himself as a Guru.
Guru Amardas ji, condemnned Hindus for Sati, allowed
widow remarriage and against Caste systems he started Guru Ka Langar.
He passed on his Guru Ship to his son in law, Ramdas Sodhi, who was
his most devoted disciple. He organised the proleystaion of Sikh
faith into Manjis he divided the area into 22 branches called
Manjis and appointed a local Sikh preacher at each place. The
preacher sat on a Manji (a cot) while the congregation all around
it.
Here are the examples.
in the are of Majha (Amritsar, Lahore, Sialkote)
1. Manak Chand Jhinwar (Water Carrier) at Variowal in Amritsar.
2. Sada ram, a Blacksmith near Amritsar.
3. Hindal at Jandiala near Amritsar.
4. Gangu Shah banker at Lahore.
5. Mutho-Murari, a devoted couple, at Chunian in Lahore Dist.
In Jalandhar Doab
1. Paro Julka at Jalandar.
2. Mahesh Dhir at Sultanpur Lodi.
In Kangra Hills.
1. Sawan mal, Nephew of Guru Amar Das, at Haripur Guler.
2. Name not given, at Dharamsala.
Kashmir Hills.
1. Phirya at Mirpur.
Malwa (Area of Patiala, Ludhiana, Bhatinda)
1. Kheira at Firozpur.
2. Mai Das Bairagi in charge of Ludhiana dist.
3. Mai Bhago at village Wayun, tehsil Kharar, dist. Rupar.
4. Mai Sewan at Village Gardnoh in Patiala District.
5. Sachna Shah in charge of Ambala distt.
Sind
1. Lalu in chage of some area in Sind.
Guru Amardas appointed three women as preachers was a unique
contribution of Amardas. Guru Amardas ji were highle pleased with one of
his disciple named Bhai Jetha, first Guru Amardas ji married his daughter
Bibi Bhani to Bhai Jetha, and then delighted with the couple's devotion,
he passed on the Guruship to Bhai Jetha as Guru Ramdas. In his devotion to
Guru Nanak, Guru
Angad, God and his Sikhs Guru Amardas was as firm as a rock. He departed
from this world on September 1, 1574.
4. Guru Ramdas ji were born as Sodhi Khatri, called Jetha or the
eldest child was born at Chuna Mandi, Lahore on September 24, 1534. His
father Hari Dass, a Sodhi Khatri was a petty trader. Jetha became a
Guru at the Age of forty in 1574. Guru Ramdas ji founded the City of
Amritsar and constructed the Golden Temple. According to the Gazetter of
Amritsar District "In 1577 he obtained a grant of the site, together with
500 Bighas of Land, from the Emperor Akbar on Payment of Rs. 700 Akbari
to the Zamindars of Tung who owned this land." Amritsar Gazetter
(1883-1884, page 61). He wrote several books, as well as kept the
tradition of Gurus in preaching. Guru Ram Das nominated his youngest son
Arjan Mal as his successor. Arjan's greatness had been predicted by Guru
Amardas, who had observed: "Yeh mera dohita, Bani da bohita banega."
(This grandson of mine shall be the boat to carry Guru's message
everywhere.) The Guru's eldest son Prithi Mal generally called Prithia
was cut up rough. He vehementaly protested against his supersession.
The second son Mahadev did not press his claim. "Prithia", writes
macauliffe , "Whose anger knew no bounds, addressed offensive language to
his father, and then informed Bhai Buddha that his father had acted
improperly." he vowed that he would seat himself on the throne of Guru.
4. Guru Arjan dev ji were Guru from 1581 to 1606. He was the first Sikh
martyr.
Then the rest of the Gurus were from the same lineage, not necessarily
following the order.
Guru Arjan Dev ji were Sodhi, Younger son of Guru Ramdas ji,
Guru Arjan Dev ji were spiritually very promising and had written
several poetic letters to his father, when away. Guru Ramdas ji
finding out the humility and all the necessary ingriedients to
server the Nanak's path, made his younger Son a Guru. Elder son
was angry and he started his own panth. Guru Arjan dEv ji made
the Masands, who could settle disputes among Sikhs as well as preach
them. Masands were not paid any salary. All Sikhs use to pay dasvand,
or the 10% of their income of year, which was used to build Gurudwaras,
etc. Guru Arjan completed the Hari Mandir at Amritsar which was started
by his father Guru Ramdas ji. He also compiled the teachings of all
Gurus into one big book named 'Adi Granth', the Guru Granth is the same
book, there were two copies of this book., one of copies is still at
Golden temple, first floor. ( Ironically, the granthi who was reading the
same Guru Granth during Operation Blue Star in 1984, died right on the
spot. ) Guru Arjan taught that mundane pleasures could be enjoyed with
in proper limits and they should not be allowed to interfere with good
living. He erected "lofty buildings" in Amritsar. Emperor Akbar
visited Guru Arjan dev ji, Guru represented the views of his people to
Akbar that, during the stay of the imperial army in Punjab the price of
grain had gone up, the revenues of paraganahs had been increased. It
was difficult for the subjects to pay the enhanced revenues. The emperor
acceded to his request and orders to his cheif Diwan to reduce the
revenue to 1/6th. Emperor Akbar also had a feast among the Sikh devotee
at Guru ka Langar sitting among commoners. This raised the prestige of
Guru. The rural traders and peasents of Majha became Sikhs in large
numbers, as Guru had reduced the revenue.
Guru Nanak had preserved his own compositions as well as those of
some other bhaktas. When departing, he handed them over to his
successor, Guru Angad. Following this example, Guru Angad and Guru
Amardas, preserved their own hymns. This individual collection was
called Bani Pothi or Book of hymns. The hymns were arranged by Guru
Amardas grandson, Sahansar Ram, in two volumes. They were written in
Gurmukhi. One of them had 224 leaves other 300. The volumes contained
some hymns of Jaidev, Kabir, Farid, Ravidas, Sain and Trilochan. Guru Arjan
dev
sent Bhai Buddha to get this copy but Sahansar Ram refused. Later Guru
Arjan Dev went himself and got both of the volumes. Guru Arjan along
with Bhai Gurdas, who was a nephew of Guru Amardas, born in 1551, so
devoted to Sikhism that he never married, wrote the Granth, or the Guru
Granth of today. Today's Guru Granth contains 3,384 hymns and 15,575
stanzas. Of these 13,658 stanzas are composed by Gurus rest by the
other saints. Guru Arjan dev's composition in Guru Granth are Sukhmani,
and Bara Maha.
Prithi Mal and his son Meherban called themselves real gurus and
Meherban glorified his father Prithia and discredited Guru Nanak's
hymns. They were both plotting against Guru Arjan. Others who were
against Guru were Sulahi Khan of Batala, Chandu Shah Khatri of Lahore,
Sheikh Ahmad faruqi Sarhindi, Emperor Jahangir who was unlike his father
Akbar and pretty much intolerant of other faiths. Prince Khusrau who was
also son of Akbar and was contesting for throne was captured by
Jahangir's men. This prince Khusrau was the son of Jodha Bai son of Udai
Singh of Jodhpur, since he was born
to a Hindu mother, was disliked by the fanatics who wanted Prince
Salim who was a 100% Sunni Muslim (as oppose to the popular Hindi movie
Mughal-e-Azam, where Jahangir was shown as son of Hindu mother). Prince
escaped and went to Guru Arjan. Guru Arjan was moved at the 13 years
old Prince and gave him help with money and shelter. Salim succeded with
the title of
Jahangir. Jahangir hated all those who were in Akbar's good books. He
summoned Guru to Lahore, Sikhs of lahore pleaded with Jahangir to let
them collect the fine and pay to him to release Guru, but Jahangir
refused. Jahangir appointed Murtaza Khan to confisicate the property of
Guru and hand it over to state., apart from that a fine of 2 lakhs was
also collected from the Sikhs. Guru was imprisoned at Lahore fort. He
was chained to a post in an open place exposed to the sun from morning to
evening in the months of May thru June. Below his feet a heap of sand
was put which burnt like a furnace. Boiling water was poured on his
naked body at intervals. His body was covered with blisters all over.
In this agony Guru used to utter.
Tera Kiya Metha lage, naam padarath Nanak mange (whatever you
ordain appears sweet. I supplicate for the gift of name)
He was asked to convert along with his discpiles, but he refused.
Mian mir who was Guru Arjan's friends, hearing this news came to
see him. At the sight of the guru the Muslim saint shed tears. He
cursed the government for these atrocities. Mian Mir said he will pray
for the destruction of such government. Guru said it was the will of the
God, and no man should try to obstruct the working of God's will. The Guru
farbade the saint to do anything against the Government. Guru suffered
from 'Heat Apoplexy.'. Sewing up political prisoners in fresh hides of
animals seems to be general practice in those days. When a raw hide of a
cow was brought before him, he shuddered at its sight. The Guru asked
permission to bathe in the Ravi as he did not want to die unclean. Guru
took Samadhi in River Ravi on 30 May, 1606. He was 43 years old. It is
certain that Guru Arjan's martyrdom was mainly a religious case coupled
with local and personal jealousy and envy. some people argue that Guru
was defautler of loan and that's why Janangir executed Guru, whatever the
case, there is no doubt that Guru Arjan set the noblest example of
courage and boldness in resisting the wrongs of the mightiest power on
earth, and thus sowed the seed which was to bear rich fruit in due
course. Shaikh Ahmad of sarhind was delighted at this execution in his
letter to murtaza khan, governer of Panjab he wrote "The executio at this
time of the accursed Kafir of Goindwal...with whatever motive... is an
act of the highest grace for the followers of Islam." He added that
Hindus should be treated as dogs. Jazia should be imposed on them, and
cowslaughter should be allowed in open. Guru had already informed his
Sikhs to make his son Hargobind as a next guru. Bhai Buddha ji performed
ceremony and thus Guru Hargodind ji became sixth Guru.
6. Guru Hargobind ji were 11 years old when appointed Guru by Bhai
Buddha ji on the orders of Fifth Guru Arjan Dev ji. from 1606-1644 Guru
Hargobind ji remained on Guru's throne. When Bhai Buddha ji were
performing ceremonies to appoint Hargobind as Guru, Hargobind asked Bhai
Buddha ji to give him a sword. Bhai Buddha ji, although a Jutt Sikh, had
never handled a sword, and he tied it on the right side of Guru who
pointed out the mistake. The Bhai wanted to put it on other side. Guru
forbade him to do so. He asked Bhai Buddha to fasten another sword on
the left side. Thus the Guru wore two Swords simaltaneously. He
declared that two swords signified Miri and Piri, Shakti and Bhakti,
Deg and Teg. One symbolises temporal power and the other spiritual
power. one to smite the oppressor, the other to protect the innocent.
He told his followers "In the Guru's house spiritual fand mundane powers
shall be combined." He instructed Sikhs to keep a horse and a sword. He
recruited troops, and had bodyguards of 52 soldiers with him. Total
number of soldiers with him came to about 700 cavalry and also
sixty gunners (topchi), many young men from Majha came into his army,
approximate army was about 1500 total men, including cavalry, etc. This
was nothing as compared to Mughals who had hundreds of thousands of armed
forces. Guru wanted his Sikhs to be able bodied, thus he held several
sporting tournaments, like hunting expeditions etc. He was the first
Guru to use Khalsa for his Sikhs. Later his Grandson Tenth Guru
Gobind Singh ji redefined his Sikhs as Khalsa.
Guru Hargobind did not neglect his work of preaching and
spreading Sikh religion. The activities of Guru Arjan's masands were
mainly confined to Punjab. The political situation in punjab was not
favourable for the propagation of Sikhism. The Guru turned his
attention to hills and to for off provinces like Bihar and Bengal. There
were number of Sikh merchants carrying on trade in U.P., Bihar and
Bengal. They visited the Guru at the time of departure and return to
their homes. guru instructed them to preach Sikh religion. Bhai Gurdas
ji in Var II mentions the names of Nawal and Nihala who were Sabharwal
Khatris, had established business in Bihar and Bengal, under their
influence a number of local people had adopted Sikhism.
Guru Hargobind's enemies were Prithi mal (Guru's uncle),
Chandu Shah (initially he wanted his daughter to be married to Guru
Hargobind ji, Guru Arjan Dev ji refused so he went against the Guru's
family), Shaikh Ahmad of Sarhind, Shaikh Ahmad Bukhari viceroy of
Punjab. Due to intrigues by these people, Jahangir summoned Guru to
Delhi in 1609. At Delhi Guru stayed at Majnun ka teela, where Guru
Nanak had lived with the muslim saint Majnun in the reign of Sikandar
lodi. Jahangir found Guru to be very tall, handsome and plucky youth and
received him courteously. Jahangir asked him questions about hunting and
wearing arms. Why did Guru called himself "Sacha Padshah" or the true
king, does he imply that he, the Emperor Jahangir was a false king. Guru
replied "I have never told anyone to call me true king, but where there
exists love between people, there is no need of formality, and a man is
treated as he treateth others. I love my Sikhs in proportions to the love
they bear me." Then Jahangir took Guru to a hunting expedition, where
Guru showed his chivalry by killing a tiger single handed with a sword
from there they went to Agra. At Agra the Emperor fell ill. Due to
Chandu Shah's instigation the astrologers told Emperor Jahangir that to
imprison Guru Hargobind to avert the serious consequences of the evil
stars. Guru Hargobind was therefore confined in the fort of Gwalior
without specifying any duration. Janagir wrote in his diary that he
found Guru Hargobind "Bighayat Maghrur wa Khudapasand" , which means
extremely arrogant. Guru Hargobind was in prison with his whole family
for eleven years. Guru was set free in 1620 by Hazrat Jannat Makani on the
recommendation of Mian Mir, who died at Lahore in 1633. Then guru
returned to Hari Mandir on the Diwali day of 1620 along with hundreds of
other former political prisoners, which Guru managed to free from
Jahangir. Shah Jahan ascended throne from Jahangir in 1628, though born
to a Hindu mother, he bacme an otherdox muslim.
One day so it happened
Emperor Shah Jahan was hunting in the jungles of Jallo lying between
Lahore and Amritsar. By Chance, Guru Hargobind was also hunting there.
According to Jadunath Sarkar "The Guru entered the same arena in pursuit
of the game, and his Sikhs quarrelled with servants of the imperial hunt
about a bird. The two parties came to blow, and in the end the
imperialists of Shah Jahan were beaten off with slaughter."
Emperor Shah Jahan retaliated by demolosihing the building of the Sikh
langar and filling up the Sikh baoli in Chuna Mundi, Lahore, with its
debris. Then on April 14, 1634 Shah Jahan's army under the Gen. Mukhlis
Khan with about 7000 troops, against Guru's 1500 troops, moved towards
Amritsar. Syed Mohammad Latif writes " Mukhlis Khan marched from Lahore
with 7000 troops, who were however signally defeated near Amritsar, their
leader being killed in the engagement. The defeated army returned to
LAhore after losing many in killed and wounded. This was the first
combat in the annals of the Punjab which was fought between Mughals and
Sikhs." Guru's fame spread far and wide, many people became Sikhs. Then
the battles of Lahra and Gurusar followed in December 1634, both won by
guru again. In the battle of Karturpur on 26th April 1635, Guru had
finally 5000 troops, there were many Muslims, PAthans as well under
Painde Khan. In this hard fought battle Guru again won, enemy
commanders were killed. Guru's youngest son Tyag Mal displayed
remarkable skill and won the title of Tegh Bahadur from his father. (The
Same Eighth Guru Tegh Bahadur who gave his head to protect the Dharma from
India, during Aurungzeb reign). Then ShahJahan sent almost Ten times
the forces of Gurus in the battle of Phagwara in 29th April 1638. It was
a drawn battle, Guru had to retreat with Mughals following him. Guru
spend the next nine years at Kiratpur propagating the Sikh religion. Guru
sensing his end was near, and thus he must nominate his successor. His
eldest son Gurditta had died in battle in 1638, leaving behind two sons
Dhir mal was the elder and Har Rae was younger. Guru Hargobind's two
living sons were Suraj mal and Tegh Bahadur. The former was fond of
worldly pleasures and latter was a recluse. Dhir Mal considered that it
was his right to succeed, The Guru did not consider him to be a suitable
candidate. He nominated his younger brother Har Rae (grandson of Guru) as
the Seventh Guru. Har Rae was 14 years old then. Dhir mal felt
infuriated. In the evening meal he administered poison to the Guru and
immediately disappeared to Kartarpur with the original copy of the Adi
Granth. Mohsin fani a contemporary author who attended the Guru's
funeral wrote "When his body was placed on pyre, set fire to it and the
flames rose high up, Raja Ram Rajput, his servant, leapt into fire,
walked a few paces in the flames and on reaching the Guru's feet put his
forehead at the soles of his feet, remained motionless and expired.
After him a Jat's son who was in the service of Guru threw himself into
fire. This was prohibited according to Sikh practices but these people
could not have over come the emotions of losing a Guru as devoted as
HarGobind.
>Third question is 'Who were the other six Gurus?' I would love to know
>about their life. Perhaps someone could point me to some book. Maybe if
>someone has it available electronically, perhaps they would not mind
>mailing it to me.
After Guru Hargobind, Seventh Guru was Guru Har Rae who remained on
Guruship from 1644-1661, Guru Harkishen from 1661-1664, then Guru Tegh
Bahadur from 1664-1675, Guru Gobind Singh from 1675-1707, Then Guru Granth
Sahib to the present times.
>
>Fourth question is 'Has the caste system been eradicated in Sikhism?' This
>seems to have been central thread in what I have heard of Guru Nanak's
>work.
unfortunately! it is not! but being worked upon.
>
>And fifth question is 'Who are the different groups like Akali, Kuka,
>Satnami (first time I have heard this), Nahang, Dhadhi (another one first
>time, Babbar Khalsa, Namdhari, Radha Swami etc..etc...?,
>
>Thanks for your replies in advance.
>
>Perwesh
>
Akalis are group established about 50 years before Ranjit Singh,
they are famous for their chivalry and fighting prowness. (not the
current one's)
Kuka's are another Sikh group, who use to read Guru Granth sahib
in a shouting manner, or in a Kook, therefore Sikhs started calling
them Kuka's. Under Ram singh Namdhari aka Kuka they revolted against
British and about 200 Kuka's were blown by canon, about 1870's.
Satnamis were totally wiped out by Aurungzeb, they were also
followers of Sikh Gurus but had their own rituals. They were mostly
in north U.P, hill districts of Garhwal.
Nihangs are the Suicide attack of Sikhs. They don't marry, they
live in Gurudwaras, and their only purpose in life is to give their
life when time comes up to protect the Dharma. They were created
by Guru Gobind singh ji.
Babbar Khalsa is just another political group started in this century.
Namdhari's and Kuka's are the same group.
Radha Soamis are sort of current day Satnamis, who read Guru Granth
but don't follow the Rehat nama or sikh code. They don't eat
meat, etc.
Dhadhis were the ballad singer, who use to sing Guru Gobind singh's
poem to arouse the army to fight. They had a totally distinct
style of singing, hence were called Dhadhi Jatha.
So Akalis, Babbar Khalsa, Namdhari, Kukas, Nihangs, Dhadhis are Sikhs
rest are not.
--
Sandeep Singh Bajwa
http://www.pitt.edu/~ssbst3
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Jassa
Sandeep S Bajwa (ssb...@pitt.edu) wrote:
: Nihangs are the Suicide attack of Sikhs. They don't marry, they
I think a better description of Nihangs would be "Martyrdom squads" and
not suicide squads as they are basically living martyrs not suicide-prone
individuals. A martyr dies for a cause, while suicide is commited by
people who are unhappy with their lives.
Having said that, this has been one of the most educating articles i have
read so far. Thanks for taking the time to post it.
Jassa.
Sandeep S Bajwa
Here are the examples.
In Jalandhar Doab
Kashmir Hills.
Nihangs are the Suicide attack of Sikhs. They don't marry, they
live in Gurudwaras, and their only purpose in life is to give their
life when time comes up to protect the Dharma. They were created
by Guru Gobind singh ji.
Babbar Khalsa is just another political group started in this century.
Namdhari's and Kuka's are the same group.
Radha Soamis are sort of current day Satnamis, who read Guru Granth
but don't follow the Rehat nama or sikh code. They don't eat
meat, etc.
Dhadhis were the ballad singer, who use to sing Guru Gobind singh's
poem to arouse the army to fight. They had a totally distinct
style of singing, hence were called Dhadhi Jatha.
So Akalis, Babbar Khalsa, Namdhari, Kukas, Nihangs, Dhadhis are Sikhs
rest are not.
--
Sandeep Singh Bajwa
http://www.pitt.edu/~ssbst3
Khalsa
WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa ||
WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh ||
Some additions and corrections on what Bhai Sandeep Singh Bajwa
(ssb...@pitt.edu) wrote:
>>> Akalis are group established about 50 years before Ranjit Singh,
>>> they are famous for their chivalry and fighting prowness. (not the
>>> current one's)
Originally, the words Akali and Nihang were simply synonyms that were used
for all Khalsa warriors, now the word "Akali" connotes only to members of
the Sikh Political Party, the Akali Dal, and the word "Nihang", to members
of the Budha Dal and Tarunna Dal, the two main modern day Nihang Organizations.
>>> Nihangs are the Suicide attack of Sikhs. They don't marry, they
>>> live in Gurudwaras, and their only purpose in life is to give their
>>> life when time comes up to protect the Dharma. They were created
>>> by Guru Gobind singh ji.
Nihang were and are NOT suicide squads, the term Nihang was used for all
Puratan Khalsa warriors, and NO, they did not commit suicide. This is
against Sikh ethics. Also, YES, they CAN get married. Many old scriptures
refer to the Puratan Sikhs simply as "Nihangs" or "Akaalis", since they were
synonymous for all Khalsa Warriors.
Later on only those individuals that kept the Guru's Banna, and high Sikh
morale came to be known as the Nihangs or Akalis. An example of this is
Akali Phula Singh Nihang, who was actually the Jathedar of Sri Akaal Takhat
Sahib.) Sahib Guru Gobind Singh Ji never created any special classes or
organizations in parallel to the Khalsa.
Literally, the word "Nihang" has many meanings : a Crocodile, a spark of a
Sword, a Warrior, etc.
Simply put: Any Rahitvaan Khalsa, who believes in the Charrdi Kala of the
Panth, respects and practices the Khalsa Pirs : "Shastars and Astars" can be
considered a Nihang or Akali (aka Guru Ki Ladelee Fauj).
>>> Babbar Khalsa is just another political group started in this century.
The Babbar Khalsa (International) is a Sikh Freedom Fighting Organization,
working towards the attainment of the Khalsa Halaymi Raj and the Charrdi
Kala of the Panth. It should not be considered a sect of sub-group of Sikhism.
- Navjot Singh
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FORT : PANTH KHALSA (Information on the Sikh Nation)
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http://www.community.net/~khalsa/
Daily Hukam-Namah from Sri Darbaar Sahib, Amritsar at :
http://www.community.net/~khalsa/hukam.html
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Khalsa
http://www.community.net/~khalsa/hukam.html
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