ISSN : 2663-2187

AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF SARBLOH TRADITIONAL ORNAMENTS OF NIHANG SINGHS

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Gurtek Singh,Tabish Hashmi
ยป doi: 10.48047/AFJBS.6.Si2.2024.5573-5583

Abstract

The present paper attempts to delve into the significance and the dynamics of the traditional ornaments of Sarbloh used as decorative materials in the headgear of the Nihang Sighs which is an integral part of Sikh cultural heritage. The historical background of the significance of Sarbloh in Sikhism is traced in the command of the seventh Guru, Guru Har Rai Sahib in the mid of seventeenth century. The Guru sahib has exhorted the community to use the utensils made of Sarbloh (the wrought Iron) in their day-to-day life. But the utilitarian aspect of Sarbloh gained a new dimension only in the time of the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib in the last quarter of the 17th century. It was the period when the Guru Sahib laid the foundation of Khalsa panth which is an important socio-cultural, religious, and political institution of Sikhism. The Akali Nihang Singhs who are the custodian and the dedicated and committed warriors of the Khalsa panth, follow a specific dress code and wear a special kind of headgear made of blue colour turban known as Dumala sahib. The Nihang Singhs traditionally decorate Dumala saheb with different Sarbloh ornaments viz. Chakram, Aadchan, Teer, Khanda, Chakrakhanda etc. The colour of the attire and the use of Sarbloh as the decorative and protective materials of the Nihang Singhs signifies bravery, spiritualism, impartiality, martyrdom etc. All these are in accordance with the Khalsa dress code, which is strictly adhered by the Nihang Singhs who are baptized in the fold of Sikhism. To unfold the myriad stories, folk tales etc associated with this important Sikh heritage and to explore the approaches to keep this heritage alive and vibrant in the contemporary times, the researcher has done a meticulous study and followed research methodologies like surveys, interviews, video recordings and photography.

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