Akali Nihang General

“He alone is clever and wise and a religious scholar, he alone is a brave warrior, and he alone is intelligent, who chants the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy. O Nanak, he alone is approved. ||2||67||90||”
- Guru Arjan Dev (AGGS, 1221)

Early Sikh military history is dominated by the independent Nihang military order, particularly for many famous military victories. Nihang is a Persian word that literally means “Crocodile”. The term owes its origin to the Mughal historians who noticed that these brave armed-monks fought ferociously like crocodiles.
Nihangs were also known as Akalis. This term is said to be derived from the Akaal Purukh in Punjabi – “the Timeless One”, a term for God. Thus Akali translates as “Servitor of the Timeless God”. This also symbolises the Akalis as the “Immortals” or the timeless warriors.

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Nihangs are known for their bravery and ruthlessness in the battlefield, who once formed the suicide squads (for their lack of fear for death) of the armed forces of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The career of the Akali Nihang General of the Maharaja’s time, Akali Phula Singh, is a famous one. He first came into notice as the leader who led the attack on Thomas Metcalfe’s escort at Amritsar in 1809. He was then employed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, as a General in the Indus valley, and is well known for his contribution to Ranjit Singh’s battles.

Details of the Painting
Finalization of the Akali Phula Singh – speedpainting, Akali Nihang General is one of Bhagat Singh’s tradional-looking paintings. The simplicity of the painting, the traditional Indian armour, the loaded sash and the sense of leadership, all combined, are meant to bring out “the Nihang” in the painting.

Akali Nihang General detailClick on the individual thumbnails to enlarge.Horse and Army details

Click on the individual thumbnails to enlarge.

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