Historic Painting: Nihang Resting Listening To Music.

[simran345]

I recall reading about this picture in a book. There's an interesting story behind it. if you look more closely at the painting you'll notice that the sinister thugee kneeling behind the Nihang Singh is brandishing some kind of rag, wound tightly around his hands. He is preparing to strangle the Sikh.

That's because this painting was August Schoefft's way of getting payback against the Nihangs, with whom he'd had trouble in the past. Here is a full account of that incident, which took place at Sri Darbar Sahib as Schoefft was innocently making sketches :

Herr Schofft was a great smoker, and attracted attention in Umritsir from his scarcely ever being seen abroad without having a cigar in his mouth. Now smoking is considered by the Nahungs and the Sikhs as sinful, or rather criminal ; more especially in or near such a holy place as their chief sanctuary ; Herr Schofft was aware of this, and therefore studiously avoided smoking whilst engaged in taking this sketch, It happened however, that, as is customary with painters, He now and then in the course of the work placed one of his pencils in his mouth, in order to keep it separate from those in the left hand, whilst using another with the right. This was observed by those who stood watching his operations from beneath the terrace, and they imagined, in consequence, that he was smoking. The rumour first spread about in whispers one to another, and as the impression became confirmed, a general indignation manifested itself ; and loud exclamations were soon heard, that the feringhee ( frank ) was committing sacrilege by smoking in their sacred place. The people speedily increased in numbers, and a clamorous mob soon surrounded the palace. The artist was at first unconscious of the cause of the gathering-, but he soon became aware by their shouts and threats, that he was in some way the object of their fury, and that he was consequently in a dangerous position. He had no sooner, however, made up his mind that his best policy would be to effect his escape, if possible, unperceived ; when some of the ringleaders of the mob, who had made their way through the palace, rushed upon the terrace, and attempted to seize him. Being a strong and vigorous man, he succeeded in wrenching himself from their grasp, and made his way to the staircase, which to his dismay he found crowded by the mob, who were making their way up. Knowing that his only chance lay in breaking through them as quickly as possible, he struck out right and left, and having the advantage of being always uppermost of those who attempted to stay his progress, he succeeded in reaching the bottom with some few bruises, Here, however, the affair presented a still more formidable aspect ; for no sooner had he reached the foot of the staircase, then he was seized by the collar and other parts of his coat by half-a-dozen of the mob, and saw at a little distance the glittering of several of their weapons. He gave himself up for lost, and in the energy of despair threw open his coat, and taking advantage of a slight confusion at the moment ( caused by a struggle to get possession of the gold watch which he had held in his hand and had at the same instant relinquished to them ), he slipped from the coat, which was held on all sides, and pushing away those in front of him, he succeeded in reaching the street ; here his nether garments fell, in some unaccountable manner, about his feet, and he stumbled and fell into a miry puddle which was immediately before him : he instantly sprang to his feet, and rustled to the entrance of a dark stable close adjacent. The mob concluded they had now secured their prey, but they were mistaken; for Schofft had, fortunately, whilst passing this stable on a previous occasion in my company, entered it, and noticed its back entrance, which led into the bazaar ; through this back door he then gained the bazaar, and from thence ( the mob all the way at his heels ), reached the house of his protector, Baii Goormukh Sing'. The door was immediately shut, and Schofft was saved.

He there met with a kind reception, and on cleansing himself from the mire and blood with which he was covered, it was found that He had not only received several contusions on the head from the iron knobs on the shields of the Nahungs, with which they had struck at him ; but also a sword wound on the back, by which his braces had been cut through, which at once explained to him the cause of his fall into the mire at so critical a moment. The mob not evincing any inclination to disperse, the police interfered, and compelled them to retire.

Thank you Paji for this information.

[Guest]

OMG

YOU

FOUND

IT

LOL

YOU'RE

A

LEGEND

I have no idea how I couldn't find this after so many years. Thanks so much!

My memory seemed to have changed the painting a lot in my mind, but still happy to see it again. Didn't remember it being a hindu temple thing.

This picture is about a Nihang trying to explain the sikh values to the benaras de thugs. He is not listening to music.

[Singh559]

This picture is about a Nihang trying to explain the sikh values to the benaras de thugs. He is not listening to music.

The account by Balkaar paji doesn't seem to support what you're saying. What's the source?

[Guest]

The account by Balkaar paji doesn't seem to support what you're saying. What's the source?

I remember reading it somewhere a few years ago.

[Jonny101]

Interesting and informative post Balkaar jee. It makes sense, notice the thaggi in the back. I have read somewhere that the method the thaggis killed their victims was with a cloth they would strangle people. They killed thousands of people like this all over india until the british put a stop to this. At least the brit colonialists did something good for the country.

[jkvlondon]

This picture is about a Nihang trying to explain the sikh values to the benaras de thugs. He is not listening to music.

veer ji benares ka thug is supposed to be the bahmins/pandits who were hoodwinking the masses (gurbani tuk mentions it )

[Singh559]

I would like to think the Nihang Singh taught the thug a good lesson.

Its probably a fictitious setting though.

[MisterrSingh]

The same thugees in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom? Kali Maa Shakti deh?

[pavitarsk]

Very informative work of art.

[jkvlondon]

The same thugees in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom? Kali Maa Shakti deh?

yep apparently they were a major dacoit gang during early days of east india company ...of course monkey brain stew totally off menu LOL