The Multifarious Faces of Sikhism
throughout Sikh History
Page 1 of 1
Hira
Dasia
Time of origin: early 1800s
The origins of this Sikh sect can be traced
to Hira Das, born in the house
of Abdula, a shoemaker from
Sur Singh in 1810.
Hira Das became a disciple of a local Udasi,
Baba Sharn Das. He studied
under his Guru who changed Hira Das’ name
to 'Hari Das' (servant of God).
Local villagers still still knew him as Hira
Das. Hari Das was well-versed in the Vedantic
philosophy, and began to visit the regiments
of Sikh kingdoms where his religious discourses
and teachings attracted a number of admirers.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Maharaja Ranjit Singh with his generals during
the time of the great Sikh kingdoms, circa mid
19th century
As consequence of his preaching, Hari Das accumulated
a great deal of wealth. With this wealth he
established a base at Gandi Vind, district Tarna
Tarn, which became a refuge for itinerant Sikh
holy men. A ‘Langar’
(free kitchen to feed all) was established at
the refuge with generosity of Hira Das and his
followers. As the refuge prospered, Hari Das
bought land around the refuge and planted an
orchard. In time, the followers of Hari Das
came to be known as ‘Hira Dasia’
(servants of Hira Das).
Durbar Sahib
Sri Durbar Sahib at Tarn Taran, built by Akali
Guru Arjan Dev Ji Maharaj
Hira Das died in 1879 and was succeeded by
Sant Singh, who in turn passed
away in 1896. Sant Singh was succeeded by Mahant
Nihal Singh who died a year later to
leave Mahant Chanda Singh in
charge of the Hira Dasia. Over the years, the
Hira Dasia established a number of bases at
Sukar Chak, Sur Singh,
Bir Raja Teja Singh, Cheemeh
Khurd, Rakh Bekunth,
Amishah, Lehia
and Amritsar.
Hira Dasia ‘Maryada’
(tradition) was adopted from Sahejdhari Udasis
and non-martial Khalsa Nirmalas. Nirmala Ganesha
Singh wrote:
‘They wore ochre colored
clothes, on head kept uncut hair, both Sahejdhari
and Amriteh [Khalsa] disciples were found.
They gave Gur Mantra of Vaeh Guru,
Guru’s Guru was considered Gur Granth
all other traditions were of Nirmala and
Udasis. Further alcohol, meat,
cannabis, tobacco etc. intoxicants and material
temptations they desisted from.’
‘Bharat Mat Darpan’, by Pandit
Ganesha Singh Nirmala, 1926, Pa. 90-91
Nirmalas
Nirmalas at Ujjain during a local festival,
circa mid 20th century
In time the various Hira Dasia orders merged
with the multitude of Nirmala and Udasi orders
to loose their distinctive entity.