NIHANGS AND BUDHA DAL AND JATHEDARS WHAT IS A NIHANG? Nihang is a Persian word meaning crocodile.The Sikhs took the name and the uniform from the Mughals. Nihangs constitute an order of Sikhs who, abandoning the fear of death, are ever ready for martyrdom and remain unsullied by worldly possessions. A Nihang is one who has nothing and is free from anxiety. The order is said to have been founded by Guru Gobind Singh himself as a fighting body of the Khalsa. The Nihangs were also called Akalis (servitors of the Timeless God). Most of them wear blue turbans. Nihangs can be recognized from a distance as they wear dark blue robes with their legs bare below the knees and high blue and yellow turbans laced with steel discs. They usually carry spears, swords, daggers and shields. They use a charming vocabulary of Braggadocio, which has found its way into the Punjabi language. Ten Guna (Virtues) of Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa: 1. Compassion 2. Charity 3. Forgiveness 4. Cleanliness 5. Control of mind 6. Purity 7. Appreciation of truth 8. Spiritually accomplished being 9. Warrior 10. Devotee of God and none other Ten Oguna (Vices) that the Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa must avoid: 1. Mentality against contemplation and meditation 2. Indiscriminate violence 3. False pride 4. Laziness . Wearing dirty clothes 9. The term 'Akali' is sometimes said to be derived from 'Akal-purusha' . Miserliness 6. or rather virtually won for Ranjit Singh. together with miniature daggers. and in Kashmir. In their military capacity the Akalis were called Nihangs or reckless. where they assumed the direction of religious ceremonies and the duty of convoking the 'Gurmatta'. knives. Evil heart. The career of Phula Singh illustrates both their defects and their qualities. Under Phula Singh's earlier leadership.) carried the faussebraye by surprise and precipitated the fall of that fortress. and his tomb at Naushehra is now an object of pilgrimage to Hindus and Mohammedans alike. Impurity 10. He was then employed by Ranjit Singh. did much to reduce their power. The sect of the Akalis differs essentially from all other Sikh orders in being a militant organisation. He denied himself the use of bhang. and played a considerable part in the Sikh history. forming the Shahids or first of the four dehras. and quoits of steel in their lofty conical blue turbans. who stood in considerable awe of him. as a leader in the Indus valley. and the order lost its importance. the great Sikh victory over the Yusafzais at Teri in 1823. Ranjit Singh. called Mala (rosary) Singh. and bangles or bracelets of steel round their wrists. the Akalis had become a terror to friends and for alike. Phula Singh and his Akalis contributed to.' The Akali wear blue chequered dresses. where he was guilty of atrocious cruelty towards the Mohammedan population. Stupidity 8. At the siege of Multan in 1818 a few Akali fanatics (They were headed by one Jassa Singh. This great Akali first came into notice as the leader of the attack on Metcalfe's escort at Amritsar in 1809. Finally. from his piety.'worshipper of the Eternal. dreaded them by force. and perhaps before his rise.e. and the Sikh chiefs. Akali Sikhs on the march The Akali headquarters were the Akal Bunga at Amritsar. Their foundation is ascribed to Guru Gobind Singh himself. Heartlessness 7.5. after 1823. and Akali is simply 'God worshipper. corresponding to the Nagas or Gosains among the Hindus. 'God'. In this battle Phula Singh met with a heroic death. i.' But Akal means 'deathless'. and they steadfastly opposed Banda's attempted innovations. from whom they often levied contribution. the only intoxicating drug in use among the Akalis. and an iron chain . whose leavings are eaten by their disciples (sewak or chela). but consume inordinate quantities of bhang. They do not eat meat or drink spirits. as other Sikhs do. He accompanied Baba Banda Singh Bahadur in every battle and lead the army by front.Baba Darbara Singh ji was born in a village known as Dal. Since Ranjit Singh's time Anandpur has been their real headquarters. Baba Darbara Singh and Gharbara Singh were two sons of Bhai Nanu Singh ji. At the age of 12.. As an order the Akalis are celibate.indeed. He served Guru ji for the 16 years and also became the jathedar of Shiri Akal Takht for 12 years. yet one hears of their Guru. he was entitled as Diwan.... he went to Shiri Guru Gobind Maharaj at Anandpur Sahib At the age of 16. Jathedar Baba Binod Singh Ji . They have . they laid claim to exercise a general leadership of the Khalsa. whose forefather belonged to Guru Hargobind's family. He had a long life for 90 years. . says Trumpp. 2nd Jathedar The second jathedar of the Khalsa Panth. Baba Vinod Singh too was matyared while leading his army in a battle. His gurdwara is situated in Sialkot (Pakistan). 1st Jathedar The first jathedar of the Khalsa Panth and was from the 7th generation of Guru Angad Dev Ji (2nd Guru of the Sikhs). Jathedar Baba Darbara Singh Ji . but their influence has to a large extent passed away. In the battle of Gurdas Nangal Baba Vinod Singh had a narrow escape while unfortunately Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was imprisoned and was matyared. no regular chief or disciple. and some of them have degenerated into mere buffoons. In 1733. in a house of Chowdhary Dalip Singh Virk (a Jat). Baba Nawab Kapoor Singh Ji was born on 1697. in a village named Kaloka. he conqured Faizulpur and re-named it as Singhpur. and made it his capital. As this was one of the act of authority in making the economy flow. he became famous among his people. In 1726. 1745. and became a saint. He was martyred in 1734.. he divided the Khalsa Panth into two groups. He beptised himself from Nawab Kapoor Singh Ji and joined the 'Jatha'. In 1734. Jathedar Nawab Kapoor Singh Ji . 4th Jathedar The fourth Jathedar of Budhadal Sardar Jassa Singh Aluwalia was born on the third day of May 1718 in a village Alu. He attacked Kapurthala and conqured it. In the same year. he was entitled "Nawab". and stayed there for 6 years.Before his death. On 14th Oct.. Jathedar Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia . His gurudwara is situated near Baba Tal. he along with his mother went to Delhi to stay with Mata Sunder Kaur Ji. he lead one Jatha in a battle. Distt. 3rd Jathedar The third jathedar of the Khalsa Panth. On the 26th April 1761. he joined the jatha of Baba Darbara Singh Ji. Budha Dal and Tarunadal (it was further divided into 5 different groups). he conqured Lahore and floated his own currency. Bhai Jassa Singh and Bhai Thraj Singh ji were named as among the leaders of these groups. he handed over his jathedari to his successor Nawab Kapoor Singh ji... His father was (Sardar Badar Singh Ji Kalal). Lahore (Pakistan). He remained as the jathedar for a period of 20 years. Distt Shekupura (Pakistan). He along with his father and brother had nectar (amrit). Badar Singh Ji passed away. In 1723. . the draught of immortality and knowledge sublime. In 1723. In 1738. He also formed 12 different sub-groups of the entire panth. He passed away in 1753. His gurudwara is situated in a village Kahlawa. Kharagh Singh remained with Baba Naina who was born in a village named KhudiKurd. Khudi Khurd comes under distt. near family. His father was sardar Ishwar Singh died when he was just 9 years old.. 6th Jathedar The sixth Jathedar of Budhadal was born on the 14th Day of January 1761 in a village Sinha. Sangrur. he lead the Panth and rescued many womens of Hindus from the Muslim. He further divided the entire Khalsa panth (including the sub-groups) into 2 major groups Budhadal and Tarnadal.. Jathedar Akali Phula Singh Ji . . wife of a great king Ala Singh. In 1800AD he came to Amritsar and fought a war with the cruel Shiat Muslim in 1809. He fought many other battle(s) with the Muslim rulers in alliance with Maharaja Ranjit Singh ji.Chidth Singh and Kharagh Singh ji.. Barnala belonged to a Sidhu who was also a saint at that time and had two sons Singh.On the 5th of Feb 1762 in a village Kuparhidhe near Malerkotla. Jathedar Baba Naina Singh Ji . Akali Phula Singh Ji got baptised from Baba Naina Singh Ji and remained with him at Anandpur Sahib.. Gurdwara of Baba Naina Singh Ji is situtated on the banks of river Bibay Kasar in Amritsar. Kudi Khurd was established under a queen named Rani Chand Kaur. 5th Jathedar The fifth Jathedar Baba Naina Singh ji came into the Budhadal at the age of 20 years. His brother was Bhup Singh . Baba Naina Singh. Baba Hanuman Singh managed to escape unhurt and reached Ghudam and fought another battle with the British.. During his reign he became the Jathedar of Akal Takhat also. He was one of the most successful Jathedar of his own time. 8th Jathedar The eighth Jathedar of Budha dal Baba Prahlad Singh Ji was a son of Sardar Jagat Singh and Sardarni Bishan Kaur. However. In the battle of Kumbada (Suhana) he was executed along with 500 other Sikh soldiers. As he returned to Patiala along with his army he was fired at by the British cannons and 1500 Sikhs were killed.. When he was sacrificed he was a Jathdar of Akal Takhat Jathedar Baba Hanuman Singh Ji .. Baba Hanuman fought his battle in 1845 against the British.. Zira. During his appointment as the jathedar of Budhadal he also served the Akal Takhat (Amritsar). Distt.In the battle of Naushire in 1823 he was sacrificed. Many British soldiers were killed during this battle. He proved too much for the British. Later . In the year 1846 he was assigned as the jathedar of the Budhadal. 7th Jathedar The seventh jathedar of Budhadal was born in 1756 in a village Naurang Singh Wala. His gurudwara is situated in Suhana Jathedar Baba Prahlad Singh Ji . His gurduwara is situated on the banks of river Loonday. and his mother was Sugo from Rawalpindi (Pakistan).many were killed and wounded during these riots and some were taken prisoners and were jailed in Hyderabad fort. Gurudwara of Baba Ji is situated near the Gurudwara of Baba Nidhan Singh Ji at Shri Abchal Sahib Jathedar Baba Gian Singh Ji . He used to perform Kirtan in a very un-usual manner by banging kada with glass. During the reign of Baba Gian Singh Ji people in general were sawing tobacco. He advised that they should stop cultivating tobacco. Before Baba Gian Singh Ji came to Punjab.. Military was brought in to control Singhs . Jathedar Baba Teja Singh Ji . He had enough persuasive power to mould the entire general public to what he liked.. who was a well renowned Nihang Singh in Punjab gave five highly precious horses to Baba Gian Singh Ji as a sign of friendship. Now the fourth generation of Baba Gian Singh Ji is now taking care of Shahid Bagh. His Gurudwara is located in Amritsar. The Gurudawara of Baba Gian Singh Ji is located at Sahib Shahid Bagh. Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Baba Sadhu Singh Ji had got back the Shad Bagh from the Sodhies. Baba Fathay Singh of Mahilpur. . He became the Jathedar of Budhadal in 1907.. son of Khazan Singh.during his reign as a Jathedar Baba Ji was attacked by Baba Ala Singh. He along with his friend Baba Prem Singh came to Punjab after getting baptized. He refused to take any eatables from these people. near the burj of Akali Phula Singh. Baba Gian Singh Ji was given full support by Fathay Singh Ji to form a strong Sikh foundation in the Punjab. He lead a normal life spanning 90 years and passed away in 1929. 9th Jathedar Born in Mulanpur. They fought a very heavy war in which both of them were executed. Baba Gian Singh Ji came from a Deol family. instead they should produce other eatables and that would yield a healthier food. Anandpur Sahib. Few who survived were hiding in the woods. Some of the Sikhs remained under the Hukum of Guru and remained near to Hajur Sahib and Sikhs who were not involved in these rioting in Punjab kept the love for peace and prosperity flowing through the generations. for which the former had to response. The town from where he came from had a common cast of Tatlay. He remained as the Jathedar of Budhadal for 22 years. Baba Ji didn't liked what they were doing for their earnings. 10th Jathedar Baba Teja Singh was born in 1839. After their death rioting became one of the most ever changing scenario.. son of Sardar Gurdit Singh and his mother was Pradhan Kaur Sabo (from Talwandi). he must be hatching a conspiracy to turn the British Empire. near the burj of Akali Phula Singh.Jathedar Baba Sahib Ji Kaladhari . 12th Jathedar Baba Chet Singh was born in 1914. in front of Anandpur Sahib Railway station. He lead a normal life spanning 66 years and passed away in 1942. His gurudwara is located in Damdama Sahib. He bought a piece of land. He suffered lot of injuries during his Jathedari. His Gurudwara is located in Amritsar. from the Sodhies and named it as Guru Da Bagh (Guru's Park). son of Kishan Singh and his mother was Athar Kaur. He graduated from Lahore and became the first Tehsildar of Patiala. Britishers imprisoned him and his Jatha. the place of his birth. Baba Sohan Singh served him.. he joined the Budhadal. He served the Jatha with heart and soul.. 11th Jathedar Baba Sahib ji Kaladhari was born in 1876. during the captivity period. thinking that.. . After leaving his first job. He lead a normal life spanning 54 years and passed away in 1968.. later on he became the Jathedar of Akal Takht. Jathedar Baba Chet Singh Ji . Many Gurudwaras and Sarovars are also being constructed under the able guidance of him. 13th Jathedar 96 Crori Singh Sahib Baba Santa Singh. the 13th Jathedar was born in 1928. Factory makes Swords and Bhala's (Zepline). . a monthly magazine (rasala) of Nihang's (Nihang Singh Sandesh). Baba Balbir Singh Ji Akali is sworn in as the 14th Jathedar of Budha Dal by his predecessor Singh Sahib Baba Santa Singh Ji. Now all publications are printed from Patiala. at Ananadpur Sahib to propegate the message of Guru(s). he joined Budhadal and served it under the leadership of Baba Chet Singh Sahib. He has kept the old saying of the gurus by providing Langar to the general public at various gurduwaras under a very soothing environment.14th Jathedar Born in Patiala in the year 1964.. At the age of 10.Jathedar Singh Sahib Baba Santa Singh Ji . He was actively involved in getting a factory started in Patiala that is making various types of shastras for the entire Nihang community. now in Pakistan). He appreciates and supports all the technically qualified persons. who comes for the help. He has bought many acres of land to serve his own community as well.. He joined Budha Dal when he was 10 years old and was a Hajoori Swak from 1977-1996. Jathedar Baba Balbir Singh Ji Akali . He got published many religious literature(s) and distributed them among the common people. He started a printing press at Guru Da Bagh. free of cost. belongs to the village Kila Miya Singh (Distt.. Baba Balbir Singh Ji Akali is a son of Baba Assa Singh Ji and Bibi Kulwant Kaur. Gujranwala.. He trained many of the Punjab Police personnel in Horse Riding and other martial arts. He has started. He is a well versed and a dynamic leader with a vision to take Budha Dal to the new heights. Son of Sardar Baghwan Singh and his mother Pritpal Kaur. .He is actively taking forward the activities started by predecessor.