Who are ‘Nihangs'?Anyone who lives free from fear is called a ‘Nihang'. In Raag Aasa Guru Arjan dev Ji has described ‘Nihang' in this very manner:
“Being fearless, he becomes a ‘Nihang' (bold and daring person).” (Ang 392, SGGS)
Describing the Nihang the old Panth Prakaash states:
“A person who has forsaken the fear of death and is always ready to embrace martyrdom is called a Nihang.”
Nihang Singh’s 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 like chakar, khanda, bow & arrows and guns etc. on them. The Nihangs are the vanguards of the Sikh nation, whose vocation in life is to be warriors, protect the Gurdwaras and be on the forefront of battles. Though there is no concrete account of how the Nihangs came into being, it is told by many Singhs that one day the three Sahibzaadey (princes of Guru Gobind Singh Ji) were practicing their battle skills and the youngest of them all Baba Fateh Singh Ji also wanted to participate with his brothers. The other brothers replied: “At the moment you are too small.”
Baba Fateh Singh ji felt so let down that he went inside the palace and tied a dastaar (turban) as tall as 1ft. He put on a blue dress. Placing 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 held in his hand a spear, and to complete his warrior's dress he wore his Kirpaan. He then went to where his brothers were playing and said, “Now I don't look small.”
Observing him 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)'. Guru Gobind Singh Ji said that the Nihangs will be generous, and strictly adhere to Dharma. When the sword is wielded, it will give out sparks like fireworks. Fighting in the battlefield in this way it will seem like a crocodile is coming out of the sea:
They used to lead such an intrepid and unpredictable lifestyle that even their family did not know of their whereabouts. While riding or fighting they always uttered “Akaal, Akaal”. That is why they also became known as “Akaalis”. Their language (the distinct language of the Khalsa) indicated their positive (Chardikala) attitude.
By merely wearing a blue chola (dress) and learning Shastar Vidhiya (the art of Sikh weaponry) does not make one a Nihang. Unfortunately, in recent years, many people who don't follow the Khalsa rehat (way of life) strictly and lack good moral characters have brought shame to the ‘Nihang's by falsely claiming to be Nihangs or by simply associating themselves to the Nihang Singhs. In particular, in the UK, a group of young Sikhs call themselves Nihangs on the basis that they look the part and know how to swing a Kirpaan, however upon closer inspection, they do not have the strict Rehat (disciplined way of life), Naam abhiyaas, knowledge, and Jeevan (spiritual life) of true Nihangs.
A number of modern so called Nihang Singhs observe some rituals and practices, which are contrary to Gurmat, for example the consumption of marijuana (‘bhang'). These customs and 'traditions' crept in to Nihangs during the period when the Mahants (Hindu caretakers) managed and maintained our Gurdwaras in 18 th – early 20 th century. During this period the Sikh religion was distorted and many non-Sikh practices infiltrated into the Sikh Panth. Those who follow these anti-gurmat practices claim that they are ‘old traditions' (Puraatan Maryada) from the Guru's time; however Gurbani sheds true light on whether these practices and observances are Gurmat (according to the guru's teachings) or Manmat (self-willed).
‘Bhang' or ‘Sukhnidhaan', which is marijuana (cannabis) used by a large number of Nihangs nowadays is often justified through various means such as the quoting of tales and stories and then claiming these to be 'early traditions'. However, our Guru is eternal and with us forever. Why do we need to refer to stories and justifying traditions by claiming they are ‘old traditions' passed down when we have Guru Granth Sahib Ji with us to tell us what is in accordance to Gurmat. Gurbani clearly condemns the consumption of marijuana. Furthermore, medical studies bear out that consumption of marijuana and cannabis on regular basis leads to schizophrenia, and mental problems such as memory loss. The sad fact is that nowadays if you go to India you can observe some Sikhs claiming to be Nihangs, who drink ‘Bhang' have become mentally unstable.
“Tilang, First Mehl, Second House: One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru: The Fear of You, O Lord Waheguru, is my marijuana (cannabis); my consciousness is the pouch, which holds it. I have become an intoxicated hermit. My hands are my begging bowl; I am so hungry for the blessed vision of Your Darshan. (Ang 721, SGGS)
“The Great Giver has given the intoxicating drug of falsehood. The people are intoxicated; they have forgotten death, and they have fun for a few days. Those who do not use intoxicants are true; they dwell in the Court of Waheguru. ||1||” (Ang 15, SGGS)
Bhai Kahn Singh Ji beautifully describes the true character of an Akali as someone who associates themselves to Akal (the Immortal). This passage in particular is used relating to Nihang Singhs in the Gur Shabad Ratnaakar Mahaan Kosh (1931) :
“The Khalsa belongs to Vaheguru.
He who loves all and whose ways are distinct from all,
He who eats only that which he earns and considers begging a sin,
He who in difficult times has faith in True Guru and remains happy,
He who guards the Sikh temples without a desire for material gain,
He who is always eager to fight a just and righteous war,
He who worships only the Timeless one and not gods or goddesses,
Know such a Sikh of the tenth Guru as an Akali.”
In summary it can be concluded that Nihangs are the official army of the Sikh Panth, who are trained in Shastar Vidiya and live a life dedicated to serving the Sikh Panth through their battle skills. They were blessed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji to remain distinct and be fearless warriors, like an official unpaid army without the desire of material gain.
The true Nihang Singhs who observe the Sikh Rehat Maryada (Sikh way of life) and keep a high moral character and serve to protect the Gurdwaras and the Sikh community (and humaninity) should be given respect and acknowledged as the ‘Guru's laddleeaa faujaan(n)' (the Guru's Beloved army). However, we should also be wary not to confuse Nihang Singhs for “Nangs”, impostors, who dress in blue attire, practice Shastar Vidiya (Sikh weaponry), follow ‘Sanatan mat' (ancient Hindu traditions and belief) and have little or no respect for living the Sikh Rehat and maintaining a high moral character. In particular, in the UK, the small group of people claiming to be ‘Nihang Singhs' are teaching young Sikhs their own version of Sikh history and philosophy which is far from Gurbani's teachings. “Nangs” have a lax approach to Sikh Rehat and justify using drugs, alcohol and meat. Many of these “Nangs” are using the university scene and Sikh camps to spread their distorted version of Sikhi and confuse young Sikhs. Let us be aware of the distinction between a true Nihang and a “Nang” (fake Nihang Singh).