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

5. Miserliness 6. Heartlessness 7. Stupidity 8. Wearing dirty clothes 9. Impurity 10. Evil heart. The sect of the Akalis differs essentially from all other Sikh orders in being a militant organisation, corresponding to the Nagas or Gosains among the Hindus. Their foundation is ascribed to Guru Gobind Singh himself, and they steadfastly opposed Banda's attempted innovations. The term 'Akali' is sometimes said to be derived from 'Akal-purusha' - 'worshipper of the Eternal.' But Akal means 'deathless', i.e. 'God', and Akali is simply 'God worshipper.' The Akali wear blue chequered dresses, and bangles or bracelets of steel round their wrists, and quoits of steel in their lofty conical blue turbans, together with miniature daggers, knives, and an iron chain . In their military capacity the Akalis were called Nihangs or reckless, and played a considerable part in the Sikh history, forming the Shahids or first of the four dehras. At the siege of Multan in 1818 a few Akali fanatics (They were headed by one Jassa Singh, called Mala (rosary) Singh, from his piety. He denied himself the use of bhang, the only intoxicating drug in use among the Akalis.) carried the faussebraye by surprise and precipitated the fall of that fortress. The career of Phula Singh illustrates both their defects and their qualities. This great Akali first came into notice as the leader of the attack on Metcalfe's escort at Amritsar in 1809. He was then employed by Ranjit Singh, who stood in considerable awe of him, as a leader in the Indus valley, where he was guilty of atrocious cruelty towards the Mohammedan population, and in Kashmir. Finally, Phula Singh and his Akalis contributed to, or rather virtually won for Ranjit Singh, the great Sikh victory over the Yusafzais at Teri in 1823. In this battle Phula Singh met with a heroic death, and his tomb at Naushehra is now an object of pilgrimage to Hindus and Mohammedans alike. Under Phula Singh's earlier leadership, and perhaps before his rise, the Akalis had become a terror to friends and for alike, and the Sikh chiefs, from whom they often levied contribution, dreaded them by force. Ranjit Singh, after 1823, did much to reduce their power, and the order lost its importance. Akali Sikhs on the march The Akali headquarters were the Akal Bunga at Amritsar, where they assumed the direction of religious ceremonies and the duty of convoking the 'Gurmatta';

indeed, they laid claim to exercise a general leadership of the Khalsa. Since Ranjit Singh's time Anandpur has been their real headquarters, but their influence has to a large extent passed away, and some of them have degenerated into mere buffoons. As an order the Akalis are celibate. They have , says Trumpp, no regular chief or disciple, yet one hears of their Guru, whose leavings are eaten by their disciples (sewak or chela). They do not eat meat or drink spirits, as other Sikhs do, but consume inordinate quantities of bhang.

Jathedar Baba Binod Singh Ji ... 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). He accompanied Baba Banda Singh Bahadur in every battle and lead the army by front. In the battle of Gurdas Nangal Baba Vinod Singh had a narrow escape while unfortunately Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was imprisoned and was matyared. Baba Vinod Singh too was matyared while leading his army in a battle. His gurdwara is situated in Sialkot (Pakistan). Jathedar Baba Darbara Singh Ji ... 2nd Jathedar The second jathedar of the Khalsa Panth,Baba Darbara Singh ji was born in a village known as Dal. Baba Darbara Singh and Gharbara Singh were two sons of Bhai Nanu Singh ji, whose forefather belonged to Guru Hargobind's family. At the age of 12, he went to Shiri Guru Gobind Maharaj at Anandpur Sahib At the age of 16, he was entitled as Diwan. He served Guru ji for the 16 years and also became the jathedar of Shiri Akal Takht for 12 years. He had a long life for 90 years.

Before his death, he handed over his jathedari to his successor Nawab Kapoor Singh ji. He was martyred in 1734. His gurudwara is situated in a village Kahlawa. Jathedar Nawab Kapoor Singh Ji ... 3rd Jathedar The third jathedar of the Khalsa Panth, Baba Nawab Kapoor Singh Ji was born on 1697, in a village named Kaloka, Distt Shekupura (Pakistan), in a house of Chowdhary Dalip Singh Virk (a Jat). He along with his father and brother had nectar (amrit), the draught of immortality and knowledge sublime, and became a saint. In 1726, he joined the jatha of Baba Darbara Singh Ji. In 1733, he conqured Faizulpur and re-named it as Singhpur. In the same year, he was entitled "Nawab". In 1734, he divided the Khalsa Panth into two groups, Budha Dal and Tarunadal (it was further divided into 5 different groups). He also formed 12 different sub-groups of the entire panth. Bhai Jassa Singh and Bhai Thraj Singh ji were named as among the leaders of these groups. He remained as the jathedar for a period of 20 years. He passed away in 1753. His gurudwara is situated near Baba Tal.

Jathedar Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia ... 4th Jathedar The fourth Jathedar of Budhadal Sardar Jassa Singh Aluwalia was born on the third day of May 1718 in a village Alu, Distt. Lahore (Pakistan). His father was (Sardar Badar Singh Ji Kalal). In 1723, Badar Singh Ji passed away. In 1723, he along with his mother went to Delhi to stay with Mata Sunder Kaur Ji, and stayed there for 6 years. He beptised himself from Nawab Kapoor Singh Ji and joined the 'Jatha'. In 1738, he became famous among his people. On 14th Oct. 1745, he lead one Jatha in a battle. He attacked Kapurthala and conqured it, and made it his capital. On the 26th April 1761, he conqured Lahore and floated his own currency. As this was one of the act of authority in making the economy flow.

On the 5th of Feb 1762 in a village Kuparhidhe near Malerkotla, 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 Baba Naina Singh Ji ... 5th Jathedar The fifth Jathedar Baba Naina Singh ji came into the Budhadal at the age of 20 years. His brother was Bhup Singh - Chidth Singh and Kharagh Singh ji. Baba Naina Singh, Barnala belonged to a Sidhu who was also a saint at that time and had two sons Singh. Kharagh Singh remained with Baba Naina who was born in a village named KhudiKurd, near family.

Kudi Khurd was established under a queen named Rani Chand Kaur, wife of a great king Ala Singh. Khudi Khurd comes under distt. Sangrur. Gurdwara of Baba Naina Singh Ji is situtated on the banks of river Bibay Kasar in Amritsar. Jathedar Akali Phula Singh Ji ... 6th Jathedar The sixth Jathedar of Budhadal was born on the 14th Day of January 1761 in a village Sinha. His father was sardar Ishwar Singh died when he was just 9 years old. Akali Phula Singh Ji got baptised from Baba Naina Singh Ji and remained with him at Anandpur Sahib. 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.

In the battle of Naushire in 1823 he was sacrificed. His gurduwara is situated on the banks of river Loonday. When he was sacrificed he was a Jathdar of Akal Takhat

Jathedar Baba Hanuman Singh Ji ... 7th Jathedar The seventh jathedar of Budhadal was born in 1756 in a village Naurang Singh Wala, Distt. Zira. Baba Hanuman fought his battle in 1845 against the British. He proved too much for the British. Many British soldiers were killed during this battle. As he returned to Patiala along with his army he was fired at by the British cannons and 1500 Sikhs were killed. However, Baba Hanuman Singh managed to escape unhurt and reached Ghudam and fought another battle with the British. In the battle of Kumbada (Suhana) he was executed along with 500 other Sikh soldiers. During his appointment as the jathedar of Budhadal he also served the Akal Takhat (Amritsar). His gurudwara is situated in Suhana

Jathedar Baba Prahlad Singh Ji ... 8th Jathedar The eighth Jathedar of Budha dal Baba Prahlad Singh Ji was a son of Sardar Jagat Singh and Sardarni Bishan Kaur. In the year 1846 he was assigned as the jathedar of the Budhadal. He was one of the most successful Jathedar of his own time. During his reign he became the Jathedar of Akal Takhat also. Later

during his reign as a Jathedar Baba Ji was attacked by Baba Ala Singh, for which the former had to response. They fought a very heavy war in which both of them were executed. After their death rioting became one of the most ever changing scenario. Military was brought in to control Singhs - many were killed and wounded during these riots and some were taken prisoners and were jailed in Hyderabad fort. 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. Gurudwara of Baba Ji is situated near the Gurudwara of Baba Nidhan Singh Ji at Shri Abchal Sahib Jathedar Baba Gian Singh Ji ... 9th Jathedar Born in Mulanpur, Baba Gian Singh Ji came from a Deol family. The town from where he came from had a common cast of Tatlay. He along with his friend Baba Prem Singh came to Punjab after getting baptized. Baba Fathay Singh of Mahilpur, who was a well renowned Nihang Singh in Punjab gave five highly precious horses to Baba Gian Singh Ji as a sign of friendship. Baba Gian Singh Ji was given full support by Fathay Singh Ji to form a strong Sikh foundation in the Punjab. Before Baba Gian Singh Ji came to Punjab, Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Baba Sadhu Singh Ji had got back the Shad Bagh from the Sodhies. Now the fourth generation of Baba Gian Singh Ji is now taking care of Shahid Bagh. During the reign of Baba Gian Singh Ji people in general were sawing tobacco, Baba Ji didn't liked what they were doing for their earnings. He refused to take any eatables from these people. He advised that they should stop cultivating tobacco, instead they should produce other eatables and that would yield a healthier food. He had enough persuasive power to mould the entire general public to what he liked. The Gurudawara of Baba Gian Singh Ji is located at Sahib Shahid Bagh, Anandpur Sahib. Jathedar Baba Teja Singh Ji ... 10th Jathedar Baba Teja Singh was born in 1839, son of Khazan Singh, and his mother was Sugo from Rawalpindi (Pakistan). He became the Jathedar of Budhadal in 1907. He used to perform Kirtan in a very un-usual manner by banging kada with glass. He remained as the Jathedar of Budhadal for 22 years. He lead a normal life spanning 90 years and passed away in 1929. His Gurudwara is located in Amritsar, near the burj of Akali Phula Singh.

Jathedar Baba Sahib Ji Kaladhari ... 11th Jathedar Baba Sahib ji Kaladhari was born in 1876, son of Kishan Singh and his mother was Athar Kaur. He graduated from Lahore and became the first Tehsildar of Patiala. After leaving his first job, he joined the Budhadal, later on he became the Jathedar of Akal Takht. He suffered lot of injuries during his Jathedari. Britishers imprisoned him and his Jatha, thinking that, he must be hatching a conspiracy to turn the British Empire. Baba Sohan Singh served him, during the captivity period. He lead a normal life spanning 66 years and passed away in 1942. His Gurudwara is located in Amritsar, near the burj of Akali Phula Singh.

Jathedar Baba Chet Singh Ji ... 12th Jathedar Baba Chet Singh was born in 1914, son of Sardar Gurdit Singh and his mother was Pradhan Kaur Sabo (from Talwandi). He served the Jatha with heart and soul. He bought a piece of land, in front of Anandpur Sahib Railway station, from the Sodhies and named it as Guru Da Bagh (Guru's Park). He lead a normal life spanning 54 years and passed away in 1968. His gurudwara is located in Damdama Sahib, the place of his birth.

Jathedar Singh Sahib Baba Santa Singh Ji ... 13th Jathedar 96 Crori Singh Sahib Baba Santa Singh, the 13th Jathedar was born in 1928. Son of Sardar Baghwan Singh and his mother Pritpal Kaur, belongs to the village Kila Miya Singh (Distt. Gujranwala, now in Pakistan). At the age of 10, he joined Budhadal and served it under the leadership of Baba Chet Singh Sahib. He started a printing press at Guru Da Bagh, at Ananadpur Sahib to propegate the message of Guru(s). He got published many religious literature(s) and distributed them among the common people, free of cost. Now all publications are printed from Patiala. He has started, a monthly magazine (rasala) of Nihang's (Nihang Singh Sandesh). He was actively involved in getting a factory started in Patiala that is making various types of shastras for the entire Nihang community. Factory makes Swords and Bhala's (Zepline). He appreciates and supports all the technically qualified persons, who comes for the help. Many Gurudwaras and Sarovars are also being constructed under the able guidance of him. He has kept the old saying of the gurus by providing Langar to the general public at various gurduwaras under a very soothing environment. He has bought many acres of land to serve his own community as well.

Jathedar Baba Balbir Singh Ji Akali ...14th Jathedar Born in Patiala in the year 1964, Baba Balbir Singh Ji Akali is sworn in as the 14th Jathedar of Budha Dal by his predecessor Singh Sahib Baba Santa Singh Ji. Baba Balbir Singh Ji Akali is a son of Baba Assa Singh Ji and Bibi Kulwant Kaur. He is a well versed and a dynamic leader with a vision to take Budha Dal to the new heights. He joined Budha Dal when he was 10 years old and was a Hajoori Swak from 1977-1996. He trained many of the Punjab Police personnel in Horse Riding and other martial arts.

He is actively taking forward the activities started by predecessor.