Nihang

Akali-Nihang
ਅਕਾਲੀ‐ਨਿਹੰਗ
Nihang version of the Sikh flag
Founder
Disputed
Regions with significant populations
Punjab
Religions
Sikhism
Scriptures
Guru Granth Sahib • Dasam Granth • Sarbloh Granth
Languages
Punjabi • Sant Bhasha • Khalsa bole

The Nihang (also spelt as Nihung lit. "Crocodiles") or Akali (lit. "Immortals"), is a martial order of Sikhs originating in the Indian subcontinent. Historically, they were known for their brave fighting skills and ruthless techniques in the battlefield during the Mughal period. Nihang once formed the irregular guerrilla squads of the armed forces of the Sikh Empire. In the British period in Punjab, the Nihang power declined, and some of them were addicted to cannabis. In the 1901 Census, recorded Nihangs were less than one thousand , but more recently, there has been an increase in the Nihang order.

Early Sikh military history was dominated by the Nihang, known for their victories despite being heavily outnumbered. Nihangs also formed an important part of the Sikh Khalsa Army. Despite their obscured origins, the Nihang claim to be the true form of the Khalsa and representatives of Guru Gobind Singh.

The Akalis of the 20th century cannot be traced back to the historical Nihangs, as since 1920, the term Akali has also been used synonymously to refer to members of a Sikh political party called the Shiromani Akali Dal. Nihangs, also known as Dal Khalsa, are believed to have originated either from Fateh Singh and the attire he wore or from the "Akal Sena" (lit. Army of the Immortal) started by Guru Hargobind.

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