Shastravidia - Dhai Phat - Sikh Guerrilla warfare tactics

Rattan Singh whose account is based on contemporary oral evidence, was told by a former veteran that one basic tactic of the Sikhs was: “Hit the enemy hard enough to kill, run, turn back and hit him again; run again, hit and run till you exasperate the enemy, and then, melt away.” Their entire theory of war is summed up in the word Dhai Phat or two and a half injuries. They considered approach, and all that goes into the making of it when element of surprise is to be secured, as one secret of success. This they called one Phat or injury and regarded it 40 per cent of their battle activity. The half Phat was the sudden swift shock action which put the enemy off his balance. Then they suddenly withdrew before the enemy could strike back and disappeared to where he could not chase them. They considered speedy and orderly withdrawal to be the second secret of success or the other complete Phat.

By Arjan Das Malik.

Why did Tenth Guru make the Khalsa according to Sahib Bhai Rattan Singh Bhangu

Rattan Singh Bhangu explains to the English enquirer Murray why the Guru decided to transform the Panth in this manner.
Murray then asked me to explain in detail why the Guru had created a [new] Panth. ‘The Muslims ruled an immense empire,’ he said, ‘and their writ ran through its twenty-two provinces. It included islands in the oceans, and extended through the mountains of the south and the east. Everyone was under their control. How could this community of Singhs continue to grow? How could the subjects [of such an empire] raise a rebellion and where was its army? How could the rulers remain unaware of the activities of the Sikhs? Surely they would regard the Guru and his followers with the greatest of hostility? Had they become friendly towards them? Why did they not recognise the Sikhs as a third panth [distinct from both Hindus and Muslims]? Did they have no counselors wise enough to recognise their significance? Had the panth not claimed sovereignty? How could it possibly remain concealed from the authorities?’
Fellow Sikhs, I answered him as follows. ‘From its very birth the [new] Panth was unconcealed. From the very beginning its members were as sharp as thorns. When was the Sikh Panth ever concealed? The Sikhs could never hide themselves! It was a Panth created to fight, its members bearing arms from birth. Its Sikhs are given the baptism of the sword, and the gurhati which they receive is likewise administered with the sword. In their turbans they carry steel quoits and daggers. How can they who sport lions’ claws ever remain concealed? The Supreme Guru created the Panth in order that it should fight! Sovereignty cannot be won without struggle.

Translated by W. H. Mcleod.

W H Mcleod describing the Nihang Singhs

The Nihangs constitute a distinctive order within the Khalsa. Ardent in their loyalty to the Khalsa they regard themselves as an elite corps dedicated to its defence and the advancement of its martial ideals. They first appeared during the eighteenth century as a particularly warlike element within the militant Khalsa of the misl period. Ranjit Singh, recognising their value as a fighting force, incorporated them in his army as a colourful if turbulent brigade of reckless infantry. During the early period of their existence they were known as Akalis.28
The Nihangs are organised as Four ‘armies’ (dal) but share a sense of common discipline and purpose. Most Nihangs are unmarried, their belief being that as soldiers of the Khalsa they must be unencumbered by family ties. For part of the year they remain in their camps (dera) attending to cultivation and cropping. At other times they roam the Punjab on horseback, conspicuously visible in their blue garments and for the range of steel weapons which they carry.
The Nihangs are a sect of Khalsa Sikhs [recognisable by their distinctive appearance]. On their heads they wear a high turban known as a damala, surmounted by a piece of cloth called a pharhara (‘standard’ or ‘flag’.) In their turbans they wear steel quoits, and they carry other weapons such as a cannon-match, two-edged sword, kirpan, etc. Their garments are always blue. Because they have renounced all fear of death Nihangs are always ready to die for their faith. They also renounce worldly concerns, which is what their name, nih -ang, means....
Many Nihangs claim that the practice of wearing the high turban and symbolic pharhara was instituted by Guru Gobind Singh. According to Vivek Singh of Arnritsar, however, it was Baba Naina Singh [a military leader of the mid-eighteenth century] who began it. He did so by attaching his standard to a bearer should be able to lead with the flag while still having his hands free to use his weapons.
Baba Naina Singh’s pupil Akali Phula Singh became a famous general in the Sikh army [of Maharaja Ranjit Singh]. Because they are devotees of Akal [Purakh] and because they observe the devotional discipline of repeating the word ‘Akal’ Nihangs are also known as Akalis.
Nihangs are rigorous in their observance of the Rahit. They live austere lives, distinguished by their love for the scriptures, their fearless acceptance of God’s will, and their generosity of spirit. During the time of the twelve misls and subsequently in the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh they rendered notable service as defenders of the Panth and as exemplars of its discipline. If the Nihangs would give up cannabis and opium, and if they could be persuaded to develop an interest in education, their services to the Panth would be of enormous value.

Translated from a description by Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha

The snow falls......

This Shabad is by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Raag Tukhaari on Pannaa 1109
In Poh, the snow falls, and the sap of the trees and the fields dries up.
Why have You not come? I keep You in my mind, body and mouth.
He is permeating and pervading my mind and body; He is the Life of the World. Through the Word of the Guru's Shabad, I enjoy His Love.
His Light fills all those born of eggs, born from the womb, born of sweat and born of the earth, each and every heart.
Grant me the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan, O Lord of Mercy and Compassion. O Great Giver, grant me understanding, that I might find salvation.
O Nanak, the Lord enjoys, savors and ravishes the bride who is in love with Him. 14