According to old saying when Bhai Dya Singh Ji along with four ‘Sahibzadas’ hailed in front of Guru Gobind Singh Singh ji “Akal, Akal, Akal…” then the word “Akali” came into existence.
According to a well renowned writer Malcolm, it were the Singh’s who were the true Akalis (Nihangs). They represented the Sikh religion and political independence. Akali term was earlier used for the Nihangs. Akali is a person who is a devotee of Akal (The almighty). The fierce fanatical Akalis were saint soldiers. This brotherhood was distinguished by blue dress and turbans, the knives and miniature daggers and steel bracelet.
When Mata Gujri saw her grandson in the blue uniform she said your great grand father the sixth Guru used to dress up in a same way. When they all came in front of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, he said that this is the most sacred wearing and reflects a true Khalsa. Later he (Guru) declared that every true Khalsa will have this appearance which reflects “Akal Purkh de Fauj”. This place where guru founded the Khalsa panth was known as ‘Damal Gargh’. However, today political parties such as SGPC and others are doing their level best to eliminate this name. Today this place is being named as “Manji Sahib”. As the old saying goes, renaming and removing the old names does not eliminate the history itself. If we see the entrance stone at modern Manji Sahib, we’ll find old engraving of original name “Damal Garh” which reflects the truth of this holy and sacred place of Guru Gobind Singh Ji ‘Kalgidhar Patsha’.
During the past many different stories have come up and that has caused the confusion over the issue of formation of the Khalsa Panth. But a pure Khalsa is always in the form of a Nihang.
Today, SGPC is the governing body which controls the most of the religious gurudwaras and shrines of the holy past. Their version of history is now said to be the official version. However, though there are many facts that remain that shows that SGPC is not taking good care of the religious gurdwaras under their control. Many gurdwaras are now decaying and are not been looked at properly. Nihangs are keen to possess the control over those religious gurudwaras and shrines, and are very much ready to repair them by themselves. Gurdwaras such as Angitha Baba Naina Singh Ji, Gurdwara Babeksar ji, and some other gurdwaras around Taran Taran Sahib are under the state of immediate attention.
The Nihangs are the voice of dissent against the world wide monopoly that the SGPC has become. The SGPC has led many other covert attacks against the Nihangs, of trying to depose their clan leader with an impostor. Throughout their troubled history to this day the Nihangs have remained steadfast to origins and traditions bestowed upon them by the Tenth Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj.
Nihang Singh is that pure form of Khalsa in which Sat Guru Kalgidhar Patsha founded Panj Payare. Guru blessed them with ‘Bani’, ‘Bana’, ‘Rahit Mariada’, ‘Nit Nem’, ‘Mool Mantar’, ‘Guru Mantar’. These are the symbols of a pure Nihang Singh.
