The Nishan Sahib (), also known as the Sikh flag, is used to represent the Sikh people worldwide.
In 1936, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee ratified the Rehat, which states its colour as either basanti (xanthic) or surmai (navy blue).
The most common form of the Nishan Sahib, used in around the world, features a saffron (orange) colour.
A Sikh War flag is known as a Jhanda Sahib, a synonymous term with Nishan Sahib.
Etymology
Nishan is derived from a Persian word with multiple definitions, one of which is "flag" or "standard".
is an Arabic term meaning "lord" or "master", in this context it is utilized in an
Sikh titles manner.
Thus, the phrase Nishan Sahib means "exalted ensign" or "holy flag".
The word jhanda means "flag" or "banner".
Overview
The flag is hoisted on a tall flagpole outside most gurdwaras.
The flag can either be fixed on a flagpole in the building's premises or at the top of the edifice itself, some Sikh sites have two flags for both scenarios.
The flagpole itself, covered with fabric (called
chola) of the same colour as the flag proper, ends with a steel Khanda fixed at its top (in the past an Astbuj, nagani
Barcha or a teer would be placed on top).
The emblem on the flag is known as
Khanda, which depicts a double-edged sword called a khanda (Miri te Piri) (☬) in the centre, a
chakram which is circular, and flanked by two single-edged swords, or
.
Other flags, instead of a khanda, are decorated by the
Ik Onkar glyph (ੴ).
The flag itself is made of cloth, with the dimensions of its three sides being two equal sides that are longer than the other one, forming a triangular shape.
Traditional symbol of the Khalsa Panth (corps of initiated Sikhs), the Nishan Sahib can be seen from far away, signifying the presence of Khalsa in the neighbourhood. It is taken down every Vaisakhi (harvest festival, mid-April in the Gregorian calendar and in Vaisakh month in the Nanakshahi calendar), and replaced with a fresh flag, and the flagpole refurbished.
Nishan Sahibs are also used for Nagar kirtan.
The khanda is placed high up on a flagpole as a sign for all Sikhs and indeed any other people that they can come and pray in this building. Great respect is shown to this flag and the flag is considered sacred and washed using milk and water every year in April at the festival of Vaisakhi.
The Sikh Rehat Maryada clearly states that the Nishan Sahib hoisted outside every Gurdwara should be yellow (Basanti in Punjabi language) or greyish blue (modern day Navy blue) (Surmaaee in Punjabi language) color.
History
Guru Amar Das
In the era of Guru Amar Das, a white-triangular flag was erected at the then-newly constructed Baoli Sahib (
stepwell) located in
Goindval on the bank of the
Beas River.
This white flag was coined the
dhaval dhuja ('white banner').
The white in the flag symbolised
Miri piri, or saintliness, but also "goodwill" and "peace", and also acting as a landmark to aid visitors seeking out a Sikh site.
Some
Sikh Studies believe there was also an
Ik Onkar symbol inscribed on the flag that represented the oneness of the divine.
The white flag was a characterisation of the
raj (era) embarked by Guru Nanak.
Pashaura Singh speculates that the colour of the Nishan Sahib located at the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar was white as well during the period of
Bhai Gurdas.
Within the Guru Granth Sahib, there is a reference made to the flag established by Guru Amar Das in a hymn penned by Bhatt Kalshar:
Guru Ram Das
In a
Savaiya composition authored by
Bhatt Mathura in-praise of Guru Ram Das, it is stated:
Guru Arjan
Bhai Gurdas makes specific mention of a flag existing at the court of Guru Arjan in the 24th ballad of his
Varan composition (24:18–23).
A mention of the banner during the period of Arjan was made by Bhatt Kalh in a sawaiye composition he authored:
Guru Hargobind
After the martyrdom of Guru Arjan, the colour of the formerly white Sikh flag was replaced with saffron to symbolise sacrifice.
A new envisionment of the Nishan Sahib was raised by Guru Hargobind at the consecration of the Akal Bunga in 1606.
When Hargobind was imprisoned at the Gwalior Fort by the Mughal authorities, a protest march was organised by Baba Buddha and Bhai Gurdas.
Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh imprinted two symbols on the Nishan Sahib after the formalisation of the Khalsa order in 1699: a cooking vessel or cauldron to represent
deg (food for all) and a sword, known as a
tegh (justice for all).
These concepts were Sikh ideals to live up to and were represented by these symbols on the flag.
Sikh Confederacy
During the time of the
Misl, the misl which was responsible for bearing the Nishan Sahib was the
Nishanwalia Misl, named after this role.
The Nishanwalia Misl also was responsible for appointing the flag-bearers for the other misls.
The role assigned to carry the flag in procession was considered an honourable one.
The Bhangi Misl were the first to erect a flag on-top of the Darbar Sahib, which they did in 1771.
Sikh Empire
Within the Sikh Khalsa Army, different regiments had their own particular flags they flew.
Colonial period
The modern form and envisionment of the Nishan Sahib can be traced back ultimately to the time of the Singh Sabha Movement.
Present day
The dual Nishan Sahibs in-front of the Akal Takht are fixed on around 40-metre tall flag-poles.
Most modern Nishan Sahibs are saffron in colour but the Nihang sect of Sikhs usually maintain a dark blue-coloured flag at their gurdwaras.
In a 26 July 2024 circular, the SGPC mandated that the Nishan Sahib flown by Sikhs should be either
basanti (
Yellow) or
surmai (greyish-blue) in colour.
Weapons and ornaments
The original Nishan Sahib carried by Guru Gobind Singh ji in the Kattar, Dhal,
Kirpan format had either a Ashtabhuja Duja, Nangini Barcha or Karpa Barcha used as a spear on top. The Nagni Barcha or snake like sword was created by Guru Gobind Singh ji and famously used by
Bachittar Singh to pierce the trunk of a drunken, armored elephant in the Battle of Nimolgarh. The Ashtabhuja is a spear with three crescents stuck to an iron rod with two spears coming out on top. The Ashtabhuja was mainly used as the Battle Stadered of the Tenth Guru and is highly recommended. Guru Gobind Singh Ji's ashtabhuja was found in Chamkaur sahib the place where his two sons were martyred and other two captured with his mother. The flag is simply wrapped around the top of the spear with two strings of fabric coming out of the tip.
While today's Nishan Sahib has a Khanda in a dagger form on top of the flag and the fabric covering the spear till the top. The Khanda symbol is also relatively new and was made in the early 19th century.
Historical evolution of the Nishan Sahib
|
| | 1889–2024 | Nishan Sahib used until 2024. | The flag alongside its Khanda adopted an orange colour, which has been replaced in June 2024, as it was not historically part of Sikh tradition. |
| | 26 June 2024 – Present | Present Day | This was introduced back by the SGPC of Basanti (Yellow) or surmai (greyish-blue as the colour during Guru Hargobind |
== Gallery ==
]]
Flag, introduced by Guru Gobind Singh]]
and
Kirpan. The standard goes from 'bottom to top' signifying that the armies of the tenth guru are always victorious.]]
See also
Flags of other Indian origin religions.
Notes
External links
