The Beloved Forces of the Guru

By SJS. Pall, Published by B. Chattar Singh Jiwan Singh

Review by Gurinder Singh Mann, Punjab Heritage News, August 2007.

The Nihangs pose a dilemma for mainstream Sikhs; they are seen as being the valiant
army of Guru Gobind Singh but some of the practices do not conform to the Sikh Rehat Maryada
and as to what is expected as a Sikh in this day and age. There are very few studies which have
looked at the History of the Nihangs and the circumstances on how they became a formidable
fighting force. With this in mind S.J.S Pall has brought out a simple to read history of the Nihangs.
He does make it clear from the outset that this is not a complete history but mainly
a introductory text on the Nihangs. He uses information from Rattan Singh Bhangu, Giani Gian
Singh and Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha amongst oral history obtained from present day Nihangs.

The book starts with the examination of the term Akal and hence proceeds with the beginnings of
the Sikh faith. The text is interspersed with stock photos that we have seen before but the author
has been able to employ the services of S. Ranjodh Singh who has a collection of numerous
Nihang pictures which he has taken over the many years. This enhances the book greatly. The
author has a two fold approach one to give the reader a basic history of the Nihangs and then
secondly to look at the modern Nihangs. The history of the Nihangs is shown by their initial
beginnings to Guru Arjun Dev’s time and the formation of the Akal Sena, (Immortal army of God|).
This development is then shown by Guru Gobind Singh turning the Akal Sana into a vanguard to
protect the Sikh faith in times of persecution. There are many key players that the author
describes in the history including the role played by Baba Binod Singh, Baba Gurbaksh Singh and
other 18th Century Sikh personalities.
The book moves onto the development of the Nihangs during the British period and the
role of Akali Phula Singh whom the author considers the most influential Nihang. The interaction
between the court of Ranjit Singh and the Nihangs is considered as well. The author correctly
shows how the Nihangs were persecuted by the British as they were seen as a threat to the plans
of the British. The massacre of Nihangs by the British is also discussed as is the role of Hazur
Sahib in Nanden where a Chaaoini (cantonment) was always stationed there after the demise of
the Tenth Guru. The book moves onto the modern period with a focus on the recent Jathedars of
the Nihangs. The Buddha Dal and Taruna Dal are looked at and the impact played by them within
the 20th Century. The role of the Nihangs in 1984 is brushed over which to this day has not been
explained fully. The book has correctly explained the educational activities of the Buddha Dal,
including the Buddha Dal School which is one of the most important in the Punjab if not India. The
level of knowledge at the school has helped them win international awards
The practices of the Nihangs are discussed including the role of the martial scriptures
and practices of Shaheedi Deg. The author shows how the Sri Dasam Granth and Sri Sarbloh

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Granth are an integral part of the Nihang Maryada and prior to 1925 many Gurudwaras had the
Sri Dasam Granth installed together with Sri Guru Granth Sahib. This practice continues today at
the Takhts Hazur Sahib and Patna Sahib and Nihang Gurudwaras as well. The author looks at
the practice of Jhatka (Killing of animals in one stroke), and the taking of Shahidi degh (intoxicant
drink), the author feels that that these two practices does not fit in well with modern Sikh
practices. The author actually starts of by explaining that these practices have always been with
the Nihangs and then states that these are outdated and primitive features of Nihangs. The
author here just disagrees with these practices with out making an attempt to get a better
understanding of them.
The author had a great opportunity to explore the martial activities of the Nihangs
namely Shastarvidyia and the role of the martial scriptures in battle. This is however overlooked
and small points on Gatka are made which does leave the reader asking for more. Interestingly
the author quotes from www.Shastarvidyia.org and www.Sarbloh.info without acknowledging the
sources. These two websites has started a big debate on the Nihangs and maybe this led to the
author in developing this book.
The author has made an attempt on deciphering the history and practices of the Nihangs
and will enrich peoples understanding of this colorful and valiant group of Sikhs. However we
shall need to wait for another book on the Nihangs which will obtain from oral history and other
sources an in-depth Nihang history. This book is currently being developed by Nihang Nidar
Singh and Parmjit Singh.

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