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The Valiant Ones: A journey into the

mesmerizing world of the Sikhs.

Authors: Gurbir Singh & Gagandeep Kaur

Publishers: Kesar Media (P) Ltd Chandigarh &Lahore

Books, LudhianaPages: 172; Price: UK 60.00

Reviewed by Gurinder Singh Mann, Leicester, UK. Visit: www.gsmann.com

The Nihangs, sometimes referred to as the Akali Nihangs, are the most colourful and

trulyremarkable people of India. These Sikh warriors have overcome tremendous odds topreserve and protect the true traditions of the Khalsa. However, more understanding is

needed of their Bana, including their decorated Turbans, their personification of weapons,

and their reverence to Sikh scriptures.

A new book by Gurbir Singh and Gagandeep Kaur meets this need by documenting thetraditions, customs, and sometimes unusual practices of the Nihangs. Gurbir Singh has

spent several years with the Nihangs. As part of the Sava Lakh Foundation he has been

instilling the values of the Gurus into the younger generation by tapping into theknowledge of the Nihangs. Gurbir is an expert photographer and his mastery of the lens

has been showcased in several exhibitions. The book attempts to show the many facets of

the Nihangs and Gurbirs pictures bring the reader into this exciting and fascinatingworld.

The book is divided into several sections and it attempts to describe the concepts of theKhalsa through the day to day practices of the Nihangs. These include Bana, Rehat, Guru

Ka Langar, and Guru Granth Guru Panth. The book carefully considers the Dumalla orTurban of the Nihangs and why the weapons are adorned within it. The routine of the

Ladli Fauj is shown with elaborate pictures of them reading the Sikh scriptures of Guru

Granth Sahib, Sri Dasam Granth and Sri Sarabloh Granth.

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The Nihangs are sometimes misunderstood and as a result many commentators have

dismissed their practices as being archaic or not in tune with the modern world. The book

challenges this idea by showing a timeline of the Khalsa with excellent effect startingfrom Baba Buddha. Why Baba Buddha? Basically, the idea is that the Akali Nihangs are

the vanguard developed by Baba Buddha after Guru Arjun Devs martyrdom. The

Nihangs under Guru Gobind Singh became valiant in battle and throughout theGhallughara periods showed their resilience and tremendous courage to fend off the

invader. The timeline also correctly shows the importance of Akali Phula Singh, in Sikh

tradition seen as well.

Two very interesting parts of the book consider the importance of women and the

Bujangi (children) of the Nihangs. Whilst the Nihangs may seem like a masculineoccupation the women of the Sikhs are given a much needed assessment. The reader is

given a good description of the women who have given strength to the Gurus and the

Khalsa. As many Nihangs live in cantonments or chhauni, the children of the Nihangsalso follow the Nihang traditions. The book captures the essence of the Bujangi,

explaining the definition of them as sons and daughters of a Snake. This terminologydates back to the Tenth Guru and the descriptions given to the Khalsa and their progenyby the Mughals.

The essence and teachings of Guru Gobind Singh can be seen in the Nihangs. The

important festivals of the Sikhs like Maghi, Holla Mohalla, Baisakhi, Diwali are the ideal

time for the Nihangs to show their prowess and vanguard status. The elaborate displaysof tent pegging, Shastarvidyia, and horse riding have been beautifully captured in this

book. The role of Shastarvidyia is presented as the all encompassing defence mechanism

of the Sikhs; the weapons and the fighting spirit can be seen in the eyes of the Nihangs.

Essentially the book explains that the Nihangs are the Khalsa and attempts to distinguishthem as a sect are unjustified. Many modern Sikhs can learn from the Nihangs as they

hold dear the traditions of the Khalsa. With the advent of the Internet and the Nihang

Dals spreading their message beyond the borders of India, they are no longer just subjectsof curiosity. The Nihangs are the Ladli Fauj of the Guru and this book captures the

contributions of the Valiant Ones.

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