Manipuri and Sikhs Martial Arts

RS Jassal *

I happened to attend 4 days International Seminar and Workshop on Spiritual and Physical Dimensions of Martial Arts in Manipur inaugurated by His Excellency, Shri Gurbachan Jagat, the Governor of Manipur held from 9th to 12th Aug 2008 at the Centenary Hall of Manipur University.

It had driven me on two scores-one term international and two that I also happen to belong to one of the most important martial races not only of India but of the world. So I wanted to meet some teams (performer of arts) from abroad and to study similarities, diversities and relationship in the performing arts of various communities/nationalities.

Though no such team other than Prof J Kim of Korea who is visiting faculty with JNU, New Delhi, came, but the conduct of Seminar/workshop was interesting and kept the delegates busy throughout. Each presenter of paper gave demonstration by group of his discipline which was self explanatory, exhilarating hence absorbing. It was treat to eyes to see gurus of various disciplines and resource persons on the dais along with HE the Governor of Manipur in grace and other dignitaries.

On the final day in brain storming session many suggestions came in interaction on how to make this specialised art a discipline of course of studies, research or a dept./faculty in the MU. The entire proceedings being in Manipuri language which was difficult for me to follow, but nevertheless it kept me thrilled and amused as young research scholars, established Professors/lecturers and honoured personalities gave their views one by one and many missed the chance due to time constraint.

I was however lucky when Dr Arambam Lokendro the moderator announced my name to give my impressions on seminar and some information on Punjabi Martial Art, within a time span of five minutes. I jumped with joy and thanked him & paid my obeisance to all the gurus present and esteemed ladies & gents in the hall.

Sikhs are the most energetic, sturdy and martial race by nature & compassionate in their acts. A race created by 10th Master ie, Guru Gobind Singh, in the lineage of Guru Nanak the First who gave not only shape to form and look distinct from Hindus & Muslims though yet within philosophical and cultural dimensions of the duo, proclaimed the eternal GURU in the shape of SHABAD ie Shri Guru Granth Sahib-reverently & in all divinity, in cosmogenical pursuit called Shabad-Guru.

He and the sixth Guru, Guru Hargovind Sahib had popularised the martial arts as per need of the hour and a fighting force superior to the Moghul's was created, who fought bravely to the finish. On final victory against the Moghul's, Guru Govind Singh composed 'Jafar-Nama' rolled, loaded on his divine arrow & bow thumbed same to Red Fort and arrow delivered the message to Aurangzeb exactly where he was sitting with his close aides inside Red Fort.

It conveyed unilateral ceasefire since Sikh fighters had trounced the Moghul warriors everywhere and no more fighting was considered necessary to avoid further bloodshed. The distance from where he thumbed his arrow is 'anybody's guess-one can calculate from a place near Moti Bagh, Delhi South to Red Fort (Old Delhi) crow flight and it may be around.... ??

It happened within recent 300 years. So it can't be a myth? Today place is marked gorgeously with an impressive and imposing Gurudwara Sahib built on the spot.

One wonders how come Manipuri's call one of their disciplines as 'Gatka' and Sikhs also play 'Gatka' in similar design & fashion. A Manipuri warrior will dress up as in sketch photo on the souvenir & a Sikh will be called Nihang Singh in typical dress to look ferocious. Manipuri warrior sport turban tied down the face to chin, a Nihang sports turban measuring 45 yards with iron 'chakra' on in the middle.

Manipuri's use armlet made from animal skin or cane of special kind to protect wrist, a Sikh wears iron bracelet. Manipuri's attach lot of respect to sword and a Sikh utters 'Kharak' and one stanza in a choupai (divine couplet of the 10th master) says,

'Kharak ket mein saran tuhari,
aap haath de layo ubari,
sarab thor mein hoe sahai,
dusht dokh te leyo bachai".

(I take your refuge with sword in my hand that you protect me in all my endeavors & ward off all my adversaries & evils.)

, to start with any fighting adventure or any goodwill mission to be undertaken where opposition is sensed.

A Manipuri soldier war with swords against flying bullets from British troops (Mar 1891-Khongjom) is well known to litereates & students of history. That was perhaps done, under impulse of 'better dying than surrendering' in face of imminent outcome of such war of unequals ie, bullets v/s swords. A Sikh also sacrifices his life but never retreats once set forth.

A Sikh soldier also used lancers spears and shields like Manipuris, Nagas & Kukis. Khanda was a new weapon addedly used. Extremely sound body & spirit is required to wield that because of weight. A Sikh repeatedly utters word of sword as 'Bhagouti' in the morning & evening prayer in which he daily & regularly prays for 'welfare of all' and so many endless commonalties occur to my mind but neither this paper or 5 minutes allow to cover in speaking.

I therefore said our Guru's personal arms and weapons are kept stored at Akal Takht Sahib and Anandpur Sahib (Punjab). The revival part of Sikh Martial Art, which is only 350 years old need to take a lead from Manipur otherwise Sikh traditions of martial arts, will fade away.

Philosophically speaking it is this art which fills seekers mind; may be a pupil (shagird) a performer (of this art) or an actual warrior (in the field) to draw divine strength & physical courage which is eternally available to any seeker in the world tin spiritual call he pursues and learns to inculcate profound and immense faith in his Guru and through him in the super power of God.

Once it happens he achieves moral success, satisfaction & spiritual solace & store power which imbibes a sense of pride in him to protect the honour of his country, the weaker sections, helpless & the downtrodden. It was heartening indeed to listen to His Excellency that he wished to go through the seminar findings & forward a case to the Govt of Punjab to arrange a joint seminar in Punjab.

To me individually attending this seminar as a delegate was like a pilgrimic etho. I was reminded of my Punjab which sometimes I miss badly when bundled in a situation like this. I also wonder at times why we think Americans are the exponents of word globalisation; it is God Almighty who is moving humanity so close to an end by way of evolution & compulsions to understand intrinsic values of the nature's network released in cosmology with a man in the centre.

In the end I congratulate organisers of this event for a very thoughtful act which will augur well for the youth and lead them to a path of disciplined living with moral uprightness and spiritual brilliance in restoring faith in the elders and God Almighty to grow up, stand up and protect the dignity of weaklings without fear & forgetting own roots.

Long live Manipur. Humanity is one.

Related Articles / Ooba Video

• Spiritual and Physical Dimension of Manipur Martial Arts :: Dr. Bishwajeet Elangbam
• Pictures Gallery on this seminar
• Thang Ta Demo - Thang Chung-goi Yannaba :: Ooba Video
• Thang Ta Demo - Thang-jou Yannaba :: Ooba Video
• Thang Ta Demo - Thangshang Yannaba :: Ooba Video
• Thang Ta Demo - Yet-thang Oi-thang Yannaba :: Ooba Video
• Thanga Ta - Martial Arts :: IAP MHA CTL

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* RS Jassal wrote this article for The Sangai Express . This article was webcasted on October 18, 2008.

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