The Nishan Sahib (Gurmukhi: ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ ਸਾਹਿਬ niśāna sāhiba) is a Sikh triangular flag made of cotton or silk cloth, with a tassel at its end. The word, Nishan Sahib means exalted ensign, and the flag is hoisted on a tall flagpole, outside most Gurdwaras. The flagpole itself, covered with fabric, ends with a Khanda on top (In the past an Astbuj, nagani barsha 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 chakkar which is circular, and flanked by two single-edged swords, or kirpans. Almost all Sikh warriors used to wear it in the eighteenth century, and Nihangs of today still do. The Khanda Sahib is not to be confused with the Nihang's Aad Chand which was the first symbol of the Khalsa. The Khanda was not introduced by Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji but it was a plain yellow banner.
Basanti Nishan Sahib with Khanda
The Nishan Sahib dates back to 1606, when Sixth Guru Har Govind raised the first Sikh flag over the Akal Takhat seat of authority in Amritsar, India. At that time, Sikhs called the flag Akal Dhuja (undying banner), or Satguru Nishan (true guru's insignia).
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 Baisakhi (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.
Illuminated Guru Granth Sahib folio of a Nishan, ca. 1775, with red background, thin gold borders, and central motif of a tulwar sword and dhal shield. Paint on paper, Punjab
Flag used during the times of Sikh misls and the Sikh Empire
Flag of the Nihang Khalsa Fauj showing weapons like Katar (dagger), Dhal Shield and Kirpan. The standard goes from 'bottom to top' signifying that the armies of the tenth guru are always victorious.
Guru Gobind Singh with followers carrying Basanti flag with emblems.
During the time of Guru Hargobind, the Nishan Sahib was made into a shade of yellow, known as Basanti, to show the spirituality of the Sikhs and their warrior spirit. After the creation of Khalsa, Guru Gobind Singh introduced Navy Blue (called Surmayee) flag, which is still the colour of the Nihang flags. The first Sikh flags were plain, but emblems were introduced by Guru Gobind Singh. The first Sikh emblem, was not the Khanda, but the three weapons, the Kattar (dagger), Dhal (shield) and Kirpan (sabre). Later these emblems were also used by the Sikh misls and the Empire.
Sikh Empire Nishan Sahib flag, introduced by Ranjit Singh
When Gulab Singh asked Maharaja Ranjit Singh to change the Nishan Sahib to saffron or deep orange Maharaja Ranjit Singh declined but later when he changed the army from traditional Akalis to French-style soldiers he made separate flags to respect Hindu and Muslim ideologies. Later the Battle standards for Muslim regiments was the Lion and the Sun and the Hindu Regiments were various gods and goddesses.
Today's Sikh Nishan Sahib
Later during the British Rule it became from Basanti and Surmayee to Kesari.
During the Singh Sabha Movement the Sikhs tried to restore Sikhism to its pristine glory so in the start it became the Flag of the Dal Khalsa but slowly it changed to the today's Nishan Sahib with the Khanda Emblem.
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 Bhai 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.
Overview
The Nishan Sahib is placed outside Sikh Gurdwaras and is supported by a pole.
The Khanda, a Sikh symbol, today, is rendered in navy blue on the saffron background while the original was basanti (bright yellow) and surrmai neela (Royal blue). 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[1] and the flag is considered sacred and washed using milk and water every year[2] in April at the festival of Vaisakhi. The Nishan Sahib is changed once the saffron color has faded.
The Sikh Rehat Maryada clearly states that the Nishan Sahib hoisted outside every Gurudwara should be xanthic (Basanti in Punjabi) or greyish blue (modern day Navy blue) (Surmaaee in Punjabi) color.[3][4]
^William Owen Cole; Piara Singh Sambhi (1998). The Sikhs: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. Sussex Academic Press. p. 58. ISBN978-1-898723-13-4. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
^Eleanor M. Nesbitt (2004). Intercultural Education: Ethnographic and Religious Approaches. Sussex Academic Press. p. 77. ISBN978-1-84519-033-0. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
^Sikh Rehat Maryada: Section Three, Chapter IV, Article V, r.
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This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Nishan Sahib news newspapers books scholar JSTOR December 2011 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Nishan Sahib Gurmukhi ਨ ਸ ਨ ਸ ਹ ਬ nisana sahiba is a Sikh triangular flag made of cotton or silk cloth with a tassel at its end The word Nishan Sahib means exalted ensign and the flag is hoisted on a tall flagpole outside most Gurdwaras The flagpole itself covered with fabric ends with a Khanda on top In the past an Astbuj nagani barsha 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 chakkar which is circular and flanked by two single edged swords or kirpans Almost all Sikh warriors used to wear it in the eighteenth century and Nihangs of today still do The Khanda Sahib is not to be confused with the Nihang s Aad Chand which was the first symbol of the Khalsa The Khanda was not introduced by Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji but it was a plain yellow banner Basanti Nishan Sahib with KhandaThe Nishan Sahib dates back to 1606 when Sixth Guru Har Govind raised the first Sikh flag over the Akal Takhat seat of authority in Amritsar India At that time Sikhs called the flag Akal Dhuja undying banner or Satguru Nishan true guru s insignia 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 Baisakhi 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 Contents 1 History 2 Weapons and ornaments 3 Overview 4 Gallery 5 References 6 External linksHistory Edit Illuminated Guru Granth Sahib folio of a Nishan ca 1775 with red background thin gold borders and central motif of a tulwar sword and dhal shield Paint on paper Punjab Sikh Nihang Khalsa Fauj Flag introduced by Guru Gobind Singh Flag used during the times of Sikh misls and the Sikh Empire Flag of the Nihang Khalsa Fauj showing weapons like Katar dagger Dhal Shield and Kirpan The standard goes from bottom to top signifying that the armies of the tenth guru are always victorious Guru Gobind Singh with followers carrying Basanti flag with emblems During the time of Guru Hargobind the Nishan Sahib was made into a shade of yellow known as Basanti to show the spirituality of the Sikhs and their warrior spirit After the creation of Khalsa Guru Gobind Singh introduced Navy Blue called Surmayee flag which is still the colour of the Nihang flags The first Sikh flags were plain but emblems were introduced by Guru Gobind Singh The first Sikh emblem was not the Khanda but the three weapons the Kattar dagger Dhal shield and Kirpan sabre Later these emblems were also used by the Sikh misls and the Empire Sikh Empire Nishan Sahib flag introduced by Ranjit Singh When Gulab Singh asked Maharaja Ranjit Singh to change the Nishan Sahib to saffron or deep orange Maharaja Ranjit Singh declined but later when he changed the army from traditional Akalis to French style soldiers he made separate flags to respect Hindu and Muslim ideologies Later the Battle standards for Muslim regiments was the Lion and the Sun and the Hindu Regiments were various gods and goddesses Today s Sikh Nishan Sahib Later during the British Rule it became from Basanti and Surmayee to Kesari During the Singh Sabha Movement the Sikhs tried to restore Sikhism to its pristine glory so in the start it became the Flag of the Dal Khalsa but slowly it changed to the today s Nishan Sahib with the Khanda Emblem Weapons and ornaments EditThe 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 Bhai 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 Overview EditThe Nishan Sahib is placed outside Sikh Gurdwaras and is supported by a pole The Khanda a Sikh symbol today is rendered in navy blue on the saffron background while the original was basanti bright yellow and surrmai neela Royal blue 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 1 and the flag is considered sacred and washed using milk and water every year 2 in April at the festival of Vaisakhi The Nishan Sahib is changed once the saffron color has faded The Sikh Rehat Maryada clearly states that the Nishan Sahib hoisted outside every Gurudwara should be xanthic Basanti in Punjabi or greyish blue modern day Navy blue Surmaaee in Punjabi color 3 4 Gallery Edit Illustrated folio of a Nishan Sahib from a Guru Granth Sahib manuscript housed at Takht Keshgarh Sahib Anandpur and dated to 1714 Nishan of Harmandir Sahib ca 1840 Khanda Nishan sahib Golden Temple A Nihang Singh changing cloth of Nishan Sahib Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan Sohana Mohali Punjab India Nishan Sahib in blue at Akali Phoola Singh di Burj in Amritsar Blue Nishan Sahib Basanti Nishan Sahib as introduced by SGPC ca 1820 fresco from Harmandir Sahib showing Nishan with Katar dagger Dhal shield and Kirpan sword References Edit William Owen Cole Piara Singh Sambhi 1998 The Sikhs Their Religious Beliefs and Practices Sussex Academic Press p 58 ISBN 978 1 898723 13 4 Retrieved 30 December 2012 Eleanor M Nesbitt 2004 Intercultural Education Ethnographic and Religious Approaches Sussex Academic Press p 77 ISBN 978 1 84519 033 0 Retrieved 30 December 2012 Sikh Rehat Maryada Section Three Chapter IV Article V r Nishan Sahib Sikh Museum External links EditSikhMuseum com Nishan Sahib Exhibit Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nishan Sahib amp oldid 1132126441, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
