HISTORY, LEGENDS & MYTHOLOGY

Nihangs and their life of valour and sacrifice

     Ludhiana: The Gurudwara Damdama Sahib in Ludhiana district signifies Sikhism's first recognition of the need for martial warfare against the tyrannic Mughals of the 16th century, a move which eventually led to the birth of the Khalsa in 1699. The shrine is today an important centre for the community of Nihang Skhs, practicing the original Kalsa lifestyle. Miles from the hub of the cities, and yet conveniently accessible from all over, ensconced as a jewel of nature undisturbed, yet very much in the thick of the Sikh faith - that is the Gurudwara Damdama Sahib.

     Though architecturally in several ways a replica of the great Takht itself, this Gurudwara, known in Sikh history through associations with the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, who laid the dations here of the 'miri' and 'piri' school, embracal of the sword along with amity and spiritualism. The aura created draws devotees by the thousand here everyday. The brilliant legacy of the Gurus, the voice of the age in which they gave their all for the faith, has echoed through the shrine for centuries, and it throws up a sacred determination to follow their haloed footsteps, that strived for the good of the faith and mankind. Offering peace of mind and spirit for high and low, king and pauper, healthy and deseased alike, Damdama Sahib has its place in Sikh history most of all, as it was here that big decisions were taken - the declaration of armed warfare against the tyranny of the Mughals of the time. Baba Deep Singh head priest, Gurudwara Sahib, says: When Guru Arjun Dev was sacrified with cruelty by the Mughals, the sixth guru Guru Hargobind decided to not sit quietly and founded the miri and piri at the Akal Takth. The ruler, emperor Jahangir was cruel and to take the revenge against his cruelty Guru hargobind fought four wars and won. And it reflects in the dominance of the doctrine and exercises of the Nihangs - remnants of the original army of the Sikhs - a large number of whom reside within the gurudwara compound. Their's is a philosophy stemming from a marriage of the spiritual tradition passed on by the gurus down the ages, and the martial prowess instilled by Guru Gobind Singh, and the influence of martyrs like Baba Deep Singh. The Sikh martial arts and gatka, while symbolising Sikh courage and fearlessness, emphases the preservation of peace and harmony, and above all, self-discipline through the Guru's teachings. For the nihangs, life is all about living life without fear, without guilt, without attachment. Its a spirit they have lived with, one which they delight in.

     Bhai Jat Singh Nihang has this to say: There has been no change in the personality of Nihangs. The world is changing with the change in time and those who are the real one, they change the time, and that's what reflects in the nihang Sikhs. Q. There is no such war these days then why do you keep such tradition. The war today is of your inner elements like lust, anger... and so on and we have to fight with that. Though many Nihangs have joined now joined the mainstream a majority remain tied to the old ways - the vow to celibacy, abstention from meat and drink, close confirment to the Sikh holy order - the symbols and diktats of the faith. In their large numbers at this shrine, Damdama Sahib stands out, a beacon of Sikhism in its original martial form.
-July 4, 2004    

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