As can be concluded, it was no coincidence
that like their forefathers before them, the
Tat Khalsa Singh Sabhias, the Gurdwara reformers
did not choose the term ‘Akali’
by chance. Prem Singh Hoti, a writer of the
early 20th century claims to take the credit
of reviving the glory of the ‘Akali’
name within Sikhism. In 1914, a text by Prem
Singh Hoti was published based on the legendary
6th Jathedar of Budha Dal, Akali Nihang
Baba Phoola Singh Ji.
96 Crore Singh Sahib Jathedar Akali Nihang Baba
Phoola Singh
Portrait of the 6th 'Jathedar' of the Akali
Nihang Singh
Khalsa and Akal Takht by Imam Bakhsh Lahori,
circa 1827-1842
This text was written in consultation with
the 10th Jathedar of the Budha Dal, Akali Nihang
Baba Teja Singh. Prem Singh lamented on the
state of the Akali Nihangs of his time, yet
he extolled the true Akalis as the custodians
and guardians of Sikhism. What is clear from
Prem Singh’s work is that he clearly understood
the traditional position and role of the Akali
Nihangs within Sikhism – a role he personally
felt was not being fulfilled by the Akali Nihangs
of his time. At the end of his text, he reprimands
and pleads with the Akali Nihangs:
‘You beloved ones
who call yourselves the ‘Immortals’,
and ‘Martyrs’, of Guru’s
nation. You are a greatly beloved
and respected part of the Sikh nation.
No No, you are Guru Gobind Singh’s
desireless gardeners, the fence, guardians,
you are the life force and strength of the
Sikh nation. Your name is ‘Akali’
you not fearing life or death in service
of Sikh nation in state of salvation being
immortal traveled as great warriors. In
service you waste not time or hesitate.
For you there is no special time [evening,
morning or night], you are at all times
at every place of every type of service
are lovers of the Immortal God the Akalis.
Your name is Akali in the life of
the Sikh nation you are dead to the material
world and in doing difficult service in
life are, ‘Nihang’ (those without
desire), without ego your name is, ‘Shahid’
(martyrs), you are living martyrs, you don’t
become martyrs at a given time, in fact
from the day you put on the Akali dress,
from that day you are waiting for the opportunity
to stake your body and head and play this
game. Yes oh beloved brothers look
how your ancestors fully lived their faith
how they fearlessly and selflessly up held
their traditions, to protect the Sikh temples
and religions honour they were always ready.
By drinking cannabis out of need
of addiction dose not make you, ‘Nihang’,
by just wearing dark clothes, chakars, Tora,
weapons you don’t become Akalis and
by accepting offerings for cauldron
of martyrs you will not attain martyrdom,
instead all this do the opposite, until
you do not desire the difficult task of
service, desire to protect the faith, without
respect, religious fervour, high pure and
unattached spiritual life and love for your
brothers dose not gush out of your heart.
You use to give strength to the poor, people
of poor character you punished and warned
the Sikh nation and Sikh leaders fearlessly
about their enemies. Your past [your ancestors],
were without threat were respected great
warriors. Your life was a train track for
other Sikhs to follow your deeds were example
for the congregation. Even leaders fearing
your holy fair censor use to desist from
bad ways and evil ways all always remaining
alert from them, but oh beloved Shahid brothers
at present your state is a insult to your
past. Even if this truth is bitter to you
but I am certain that the true Akalis who
have pride in their hearts for the Sikh
nation appreciating the benefit of the Sikh
nation will with respect read this. To stay
intoxicated day and night in cannabis and
to make the holy precincts of temples the
dens of cannabis is a obstacle in the life
of a Akali. By wearing tall Dmalas
and Chakars, Toras and going around begging
from shop to shop is not befitting you,
your lives have turned such a downward way
that people of other faiths make fun of
your patriotic form at Holi and Dusehra
making jokes but you not having pride in
your faith do not colour your life with
the colour of the past. If the
Sikh nation today is fast asleep, then it’s
blame is on your head, if in the Sikh nation
the proper conduct is vanishing, then the
responsibility for it is on your necks,
if in the Sikh nation and temples today
bad ways are increasing then you are responsible
for this but how can you punish others when
you your selves are punishable? Forsaking
cannabis intoxicate your mind in the eternal
intoxication of Gods name and from Gurdwaras
removing the cannabis grinding clubs and
mortars be alert. Va-eh Gurus name, scripture,
holy music let flow it’s unending
flood and walk on the true path of Sikhism,
spirit of friendship, spirit of the soul,
preach true Sikhism or else Guru Gobind
Singh will surely turn away from you. If
by reading this plea of mine the Sikh nation
revives the holiness of the Akali name then
I will consider my minor service successful
and worth while.’
‘Akali Phoola Singh’, by Prem
Singh Hoti, 1914, Pa.117-119
Akali Nihang Singh Khalsa
Watercolour of Akali Nihangs dressed in full
'Baana' (uniform), circa early 19th century
Prem Singh Hoti was successful in reviving
the ‘Akali’ name within Sikhism.
In a footnote within his 4th Edition of ‘Akali
Phoola Singh’, published in 1926, he wrote
with regards to his plea in his 1st Edition:
‘This plea in 1914
when this book was first published, was
made to the Sikh nation when no one even
had an inkling of the Akali movement in
mind, in fact ‘Akali’
name was spoken of in hatred. I
am glad this plea was accepted by the Sikh
nation and became the instrument of revival.’
‘Akali Phoola Singh’, by Prem
Singh Hoti, 1914, Pa.117
