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The 'Pharla'

In his book 'Guru Keeyaan Saakheeyaan', Swaroop Singh Kaushish gives a 'Sakhi', according to which, in Samvat 1760 Bikrami, King Ajmer Chand attacked Sri Anandpur Sahib Ji. Sikh warrior Bhai Maan Singh pitched the flag in the battlefield and fought with force. He was wounded during the ensuing battle during which the Sikh flag was broken by the enemies and fell down. A Sikh relayed this occurrence to Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Guru Ji immediately made a 'Pharara' from blue 'keski' (small turban) and said, "Henceforth, this Khalsa flag will never be broken".

The 'Sakhi' given by 'Guru Keeyaan Saakheeyaan' says that 'Pharara' was drawn from the small blue turbans of Bhai Uday Singh, Himmat Singh, Sahib Singh, Mohkam Singh and Aalam Singh Ji. Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, who was six year old, also kept a 'Pharara'. Guru Ji smiled and said, "Son! This 'Akali Pharara' will remain in the 'Panth' forever. This is the dress of Sri Maha-kaal. Respect it equally to the flag".

Thus, the book 'Guru Keeyaan Saakheeyaan' claims that the tradition of 'Pharla' was started by Guru Gobind Singh Ji himself. Though it is claimed that this book was written in 1790 AD, but we find no reference to this book in other old traditional texts. Additionally, this book is discovered only in 20th century. There are many visible changes, which are clearly made in this book at a later juncture.

Interestingly, the book 'Sri Gur Sobha' does not mention 'Pharla' anywhere. It is important to tell here that 'Sri Gur Sobha' was written in 1711 AD by Kavi Sainapati, who was a poet in the holy court of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He was an eyewitness of many of incidents, however he does not make any mention of Sikhs wearing blue small turbans (keski) or 'Pharla'.

Another important history book is also silent on the 'Pharla' tradition. This book is 'Gur Bilaas Paatshaahee 10', which was written by Bhai Kuyer Singh in 1751 AD.

Why is it so that older texts ('Sri Gur Sobha' and 'Gur Bilaas Paatshaahee 10') do not mention the 'Pharla' tradition, but new book ('Guru Keeyaan Saakheeyaan' written in 1790 AD) does?

Before reaching any conclusion, let us consider another text, - the new 'Panth Prakaash' written by Giani Gian Singh, who states that Nihang Naina Singh Ji tied a tall turban and recited the holy line from Sri Guru Granth Sahib, "Main Gur Mil Uch Dumaalrha". Since then, his followers, the Nihangs, began to wear tall turbans, which were called 'Naina Singheeye Dumaalas'.

Under the Dumala section , we noted the following:

"In Punjabi, the word 'Mal' means wrestler. It is a trend in traditional wrestling competitions that a cloth is attached over a long bamboo pole. This cloth is called 'Maalee' and usually the prize money is tied with it. When a wrestler wins a wrestling match, he lifts this bamboo to show the audience as a sign of his victory. Obviously the prize money tied in 'Maalee' is kept by him. Traditionally, if the 'Maalee' (prize money) was big, it was called 'Dumaalee' or 'Dumaala' (double 'Maalee')."

It seems that 'Pharla', which is like an adornment of Nihang turban, was an integral part of the 'Nihang Dumaala' in early days. Today one can commonly see 'Nihang Dumaalas' without a 'Pharla'.

Two Nihangs wearing 'Dumalas' with 'Pharla'

Referring back to our discussion under the Dumala section again, we also noted:

"Akali Phoola Singh Ji was disciple of Bhai Naina Singh Ji. According to the 'Mahaan Kosh', Akali Phoola Singh Ji was born around Samvat 1818 Bikrami (1761 AD). From this, we can reason that Bhai Naina Singh Ji introduced this style of tall turbans, known as 'Naina Singheeye Dumaalas' in second half of 18th century".

With this in mind, if we consider the time when Swaroop Singh Kaushish would have written his book 'Guru Keeyaan Saakheeyaan' in 1790 AD, he must have witnessed a section of his contemporary Sikhs adorning the blue 'Pharla' upon their dastaars. Obviously, he mentioned in his writings and concludes that Guru Gobind Singh Ji must have initiated this tradition. There is however the strong possibility that the description of the 'Pharla' was added at a later date in this text. The original text is unfortunately no longer available.

In contrast to this, 'Sri Gur Sobha' and 'Gur Bilaas Paatshaahee 10' (Kuyer Singh) were written long before Bhai Naina Singh Ji. The tradition of 'Dumaala' and 'Pharla' was not in vogue at that time, hence we find no mention of it in their earlier texts.

It is common amongst the Nihangs to rename many things. For example, 'bhang' (cannabis) is renamed 'Sukha' or 'Sukh-nidhaan' (literally 'treasure of bliss'). Similarly, the 'Turla' is renamed 'Pharla' amongst the Nihangs.

Grammatically, the word 'Pharla' originates from the Indian word 'Phar-haraa', which means 'flag'. As it has been said, Bhai Naina Singh started the tradition of 'Pharla'. The 'Nishaanchi' (flagman) would keep the 'Pharla' on his turban, so that he could use arms as well, while carrying the 'Nishaan' (flag) in battlefield. (See Nihang, in 'Mahaan Kosh').

Presently, in most Nihang organizations, the 'Pharla' is given only to senior Nihangs. The Nihang-chief himself ties the 'Pharla' onto the dumalla of the Nihang to whom it is presented. Other Nihang organizations may send their Nihangs to the 'Budhha Dal' chief to get the 'Pharla'. It reinforces their respect for the 'Budhha Dal' and by doing so, indicate their acceptance of the Budhha Dal's superiority.

This much said, it has to be noted that there is no compulsory ruling or custom that only the 'Budhha Dal' chief may bestow the 'Pharla' upon a Nihang as many who keep the 'Pharla' upon their 'Dumaala' have not received this from the Budhha Dal.

Just as with the Dumalla, which is today worn by many Sikhs, who are not Nihangs per se, the custom of wearing a Pharla with the Dumalla can also be noted amongst non-Nihang groups.

taken from amritworld.com

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FARLA CAN ONLY BE WORN BY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SELECTED BY THE DAL AND WHO ARE THEN AKALI HINHUNGS FULL STOP. NO ONE ELSE HAS PERMISIION TO WEAR A FARLA AND IF ANYONE IS SEEN WEARING A FARLA WITHOUT PERMSISSION FROM JATHEDAR THEY ARE QUALIFIED FOR A GOOD THRASHING!!!!!

AKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!

SAT SRI AKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!

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FARLA CAN ONLY BE WORN BY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SELECTED BY THE DAL AND WHO ARE THEN AKALI HINHUNGS FULL STOP. NO ONE ELSE HAS PERMISIION TO WEAR A FARLA AND IF ANYONE IS SEEN WEARING A FARLA WITHOUT PERMSISSION FROM JATHEDAR THEY ARE QUALIFIED FOR A GOOD THRASHING!!!!!

AKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!

SAT SRI AKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!

:lol: @ wacko.gif
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the article is questioning of the farla if it was even came to being by Guru Gobind Singh theirs a chance according to the article it came to being after the times of the gurus.

as for thrashing ? its not a very sikh thing is it if someone weres a farla then they get a beating.

what do you have to do to even get a farla? some one that reads lots of bani and does abhiyaas gets a farla from one of the dals?

shaheed talwinder singh babbar wore a farla was he given one by any dal? from my limited knowledge he was not part of any jatha or dal? maybe someone can shed some light on it?

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what Nihang Vikramdeep Singh is 100% accurate. Similar to when it hurts Sikh sentiments if someone was to wear a kalgi (plume adorned by Guru Gobind Singh Ji), it is offensive for a Sinngh to falsly adore the form of a Mahakaal. To my knowldege shaheed talwinder singh babbar was not given a farla by the Dal, and while i bow down to his courage and bravery i would like to reittirate that this constitutes a mass violation of maryada.

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Ek Onkar Satnam

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

I have been told by a senior Akali Nihang Singh who also wears a Farla, that Farla are being given to many people and even bought not sure if he meant "cash" or people sucking up to get a Farla, what are your views on this. I have the understanding that the Farla shows jathadari of Nihang singhs. I personally see all Gursikhs who practice forms of Martial Art as warriors, i also see Baba Deep Singh ji as one of the greatest Khalsa wariors who ever lived, i would like to know if Nihang singhs respect Baba Deep Singh Ji as a Nihang.

Please forgive me if i have explained things vaguely and if i have offended anyone.

Gurfateh ji

"I have no name"

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were has the farla come from the article on amrit world suggest it might have come into existance later after the guru sahibs times...

what is the maryada to gaining a farla? what does one need to do??

if it is given to singhs that recite alot of bani and are generals etc... then coudnt the farla be a sign of ego as it stands for something?

Does anyone know the maryada of obtaining a farla?

and what its purpose is?

why cant people who aint from any dals wear one ? this seems discrimnating to me just because one is not part of any dal

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Guest militant singh

My view a farla can be worn by an sikh they are not commiting beadbi are they by waering one - we are all equal under GOD,no1's spcial nihangs are not superior then other sikhs guru loves them as much as he lives sikhs who are not nihangs i disagree with the idea tht a singh should get a thrashin as 1 person said farla can be worn by any1 without da need 2 attain a licence 4rm nihangs

what Nihang Vikramdeep Singh is 100% accurate. Similar to when it hurts Sikh sentiments if someone was to wear a kalgi (plume adorned by Guru Gobind Singh Ji), it is offensive for a Sinngh to falsly adore the form of a Mahakaal. To my knowldege shaheed talwinder singh babbar was not given a farla by the Dal, and while i bow down to his courage and bravery i would like to reittirate that this constitutes a mass violation of maryada.

:lol: :@ :s <_< :@ :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: No need 2 put dwn a shaheed i would like 2 c what most nihangs or what most have become nangs do these days apart 4rm ganja and da rest argue over turbans,u talk about offensive i find it offensive when u say stuff about mahan shaheeds - why nt go and start a fight with niddar singh lot there the 1's u should be discusing tht are tarnishing da nihang image not great shaheeds 'mass violation deh lagdeh'

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