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Guns of Nihangs

Nihangs, the last guardians of the Sikh martial spirit, roam freely across the Punjab (western state of India). Their nomadic lifestyle is dedicated to praying the almighty and practicing the Sikh martial arts. They maintain these traditions from the time of the 10th Sikh Guru, who left this world in 1708 AD.

 

A description of them from an ancient text (Prachin Panth Prakash) is what we can continue to see today.

 

“Where the Khalsa (Sikh Army) had set camp the war drums were being beaten and battle standards were raised. He arrived at where the Singhs were based. Ahead he could see where the Singhs were congregating. The musicians sung the Gurus hymns while others read the scriptures. Some were grounding sukha (cannabis) and others were preparing mahaparshad (meat). Some Singhs were cleaning and sharpening their weapons. Some trained in archery while other did target practise with their muskets. The Singhs massaged each other while others fanned the congregation. Some set off far to fetch water for the Singhs to bathe in…Running around the Singhs served one another”. (Prachin Panth Parkash)

 

Each year, during the spring festival of Holla Mohalla, the Nihangs still come together at Anandpur Sahib (Punjab) from all corners. It is their time to show the world their dedication to the ancient martial traditions of the Sikhs.

 

In creating this series of “Guns of Nihangs”, I broke the barrier by striking dialogue with them. Having demonstrated my intent, I was able to partner in making them pose with their Guns around their tented habitats.

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Guns of Nihangs

Guns of Nihangs

 

Guns of Nihangs

 

Guns of Nihangs

 

Guns of Nihangs

 

Guns of Nihangs

 

Guns of Nihangs

 

Guns of Nihangs

 

Guns of Nihangs

 

Guns of Nihangs

 

Guns of Nihangs

 

Guns of Nihangs

 

Guns of Nihangs

Comments(25)

  1. Reply
    1469 Blog says:

    Great effort. Very nice shots. Congratulations!

  2. Reply
    Tajir Singh says:

    Hello,

    very good thanks! Awesome pictures – they are going to be my wallpaper! Waheguru ji ka Khalsa , Waheguru ji ki Fateh!

  3. Reply
    Parmeet says:

    Awesome shots!

  4. Reply
    Umang says:

    Amazing

  5. Reply
    Jas Singh says:

    VaheGuru – These are amazing!

  6. Reply
    amarjeet kaur says:

    You have taken very rare unbelievable moments in your camera.lliked it.

  7. Reply
    Surupa Chatterjee says:

    The Camera assumes its own life when placed in your hands…Brilliant

  8. Reply
    Gurpreet Singh says:

    Awesome pictures Amardeepji…….another fantastic attempt!!!

  9. Reply
    hammad says:

    Amardeep g, I showed all your previous collection to 2-3 National College of arts Lahore students, and they were really impressed. this Nihang photo shoot will definitely impress them, as the basic three colors and the contrast between those three colors, blue main, is just wonderful. onething that comes in mind at once is that “if all these warriors always wear that clean cloths?

  10. Reply
    Geetali says:

    Amardeep, you continue to surprise and amaze with your photographic insights. Thank you for this wonderful share.

  11. Reply
    Mantosh says:

    you are a master at bringing our the subjects by the use of light and some very interesting and natural backgrounds.

  12. Reply
    Indermeet Sial says:

    yet another masterpiece!

  13. Reply
    mustafa says:

    Vahe Garu…amazing pics!
    Loved pic 3…

  14. Reply
    Pradeep K Sharme says:

    I used to see their congregation in 80s while travelling to NFL – Nangal (our client) from Chandigarh via Anandpur Sahib. Singh is King !

  15. Reply
    Arjit Mahal says:

    Great history aspect of this traditional sect along with their way of life pictures. Very well done

  16. Reply
    Nilofar Lilli Afzal says:

    Love the guns and the colour.

  17. Reply
    Ashmeet Sidhu says:

    As always, inspiring work by Amardeep.

  18. Reply
    Ramanuj Ghosh says:

    i am always fascinated by the nihang sikhs

  19. Reply
    Harmeet Singh says:

    awesome

  20. Reply
    Bhavjeet says:

    Lovely shots

  21. Reply
    Amarpal Matharu says:

    Amardeep, you do an amazing job in researching and taking photographs of Sikh history! Congratulations! We truly enjoy going through the photographs.

  22. Reply
    Rajan Bahadur says:

    Can see a lot of passion and hard work put into this..terrific and very well done.

  23. Reply
    amarjeet kaur says:

    Amardeep,very Sharp photography and you have taken excellent photos.Iknow you have taken very rare shots but here you have attached only those photos which show guns according to your subject. How beautifully they all are wearing their dresses. It seems an army.once I went to machhiwarha and saw these nihangs there.These nings are long in height.Nice to know more about them.

  24. Reply
    Himadri Banerjee says:

    First, I must say: Oh! These are wonderful profiles of the Singh Nihangs. Thank you very much Amaradeep ji that I could get a glimpse of these people who often stand away from many other Sikhs. Their bold personality is prominent in these shots.I have seen a few of them recently in Nanded Sahib. They were having bigger sized headgears, here are possibly some differences. The study of Nidar Singh and Parmjit Singh (In the Service of the Master) also points a similar tradition.To me it is a deeply interesting world. Thank you Amadeep for bring to these lively photographs of Nihangs.

  25. Reply
    Karandeep Singh says:

    The guns in 5th pic costs how much and do they need licence for buying and do they really fire real rounds and from where they are bought?
    What is the cost and name of cheapest gun?

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