Bhai Manee Singh Jee, Baba Gurbaksh Singh Jee, Baba Deep Singh Jee, Bhai Daya Singh Jee, the Tath Khalsa, Shaheedeean Misl, Shaheed Singhs and even Guru Gobind Singh Jee wearing the Blue Bana. There are further accounts of other GurSikhs wearing blue including the Sahibzadas.
Some have tried to explain the description of wearing of Blue from historical sources and in turn have tried to undermine its significant in the Khalsa’s form but they have failed to be convincing. It must be more than just a coincidence for so many old historical accounts to state the colour blue.
Although there have been occasions were Kesree and white have been mentioned but these however have not been as extensively as Blue. Kesree has been mentioned as the colour worn by some GurSikhs on their Shaheedee. White and Kesree have been worn on certain sevas but blue has been the colour worn generally.
Colour it self does not mean much on its own but when it becomes the colour of the uniform worn by a body then it has a value. Any army has a uniform and this uniform is the same through out, that’s why it’s called a uniform. A uniform gives the appearance of discipline, identity, equality and unity amongst its wearers. In a battle a uniform produces these effects on its enemies many fold.
Guru Gobind Singh Jee when introducing the khalsa in 1699 produced the Panj Payare in Blue for the world to see.
Below are some more quotes from old historical documents describing the wearing of Blue by the Khasla :
ਕੱਛ ਸ਼ਸਤਰ ਬੰਧਵਾਇ ਸਿੰਘ ਨਾਮ ਧਰਨੇ ਮਹਾਂ ਕਾਲ ਦਾ ਬਾਣਾ ਨੀਲਾ ਪਹਿਰਾਵਣਾ I ( Bansavalee Naama )
ਸੀਸ ਕੇਸ ਨੀਲਅੰਬਰੀ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੰਗਿਆ ਤੇਜ ਨਿਵਾਸ I ( Mehma Prakash )
ਜਗੇ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੋਧੇ ਧਰੇ ਨੀਲ ਭੇਸਾ I ( Ugradhanthee )
ਯੋਂ ਉਪਜੇ ਸਿੰਘ ਭੁਜੰਗੀਏ ਨੀਲੰਬਰ ਧਾਰਾ । ( Bhai Gurdas Singh Jee )
Some have tried to explain the description of wearing of Blue from historical sources and in turn have tried to undermine its significant in the Khalsa’s form but they have failed to be convincing. It must be more than just a coincidence for so many old historical accounts to state the colour blue.
Although there have been occasions were Kesree and white have been mentioned but these however have not been as extensively as Blue. Kesree has been mentioned as the colour worn by some GurSikhs on their Shaheedee. White and Kesree have been worn on certain sevas but blue has been the colour worn generally.
Colour it self does not mean much on its own but when it becomes the colour of the uniform worn by a body then it has a value. Any army has a uniform and this uniform is the same through out, that’s why it’s called a uniform. A uniform gives the appearance of discipline, identity, equality and unity amongst its wearers. In a battle a uniform produces these effects on its enemies many fold.
Guru Gobind Singh Jee when introducing the khalsa in 1699 produced the Panj Payare in Blue for the world to see.
Below are some more quotes from old historical documents describing the wearing of Blue by the Khasla :
ਕੱਛ ਸ਼ਸਤਰ ਬੰਧਵਾਇ ਸਿੰਘ ਨਾਮ ਧਰਨੇ ਮਹਾਂ ਕਾਲ ਦਾ ਬਾਣਾ ਨੀਲਾ ਪਹਿਰਾਵਣਾ I ( Bansavalee Naama )
ਸੀਸ ਕੇਸ ਨੀਲਅੰਬਰੀ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੰਗਿਆ ਤੇਜ ਨਿਵਾਸ I ( Mehma Prakash )
ਜਗੇ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੋਧੇ ਧਰੇ ਨੀਲ ਭੇਸਾ I ( Ugradhanthee )
ਯੋਂ ਉਪਜੇ ਸਿੰਘ ਭੁਜੰਗੀਏ ਨੀਲੰਬਰ ਧਾਰਾ । ( Bhai Gurdas Singh Jee )
Here is an eyewitness account of the 1699 Vaiskahi smagam in which it is stated theat the Panch wore blue, including Guru Sahib Ji:
(ਭੱਟ ਵਹੀ ਪਰਗਣਾ ਥਾਨੇਸਰ)
ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਮਹਲ ਦਸਮਾਂ...ਬੇਟਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇਗ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਜੀ ਕਾ,
ਸਾਲ ਸਤ੍ਰਾਂ ਸੈ ਪਚਾਵਨ ਮੰਗਲਵਾਰ ਵੈਸਾਖੀ ਕੇ ਦਿਹੁੰ ਪਾਂਚ ਸਿਖੋਂ ਕੋ ਖਾਂਡੇ ਕੀ ਪਾਹੁਲ ਦੀ, ਸਿੰਘ ਨਾਮ ਰਾਖਾ।.....
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...ਸਭ ਕੋ ਨੀਲੰਬਰ ਪਹਿਨਾਇਆ, ਵਹੀ ਵੇਸ ਅਪਨਾ ਕੀਆ।
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...ਕੰਘਾ ਕਰਦ ਕੇਸਗੀ ਕੜਾ ਕਛਿਹਰਾ ਸਭ ਕੋ ਦੀਆ...
Proof of Special Nature of Blue Dress
Blue dress is not something recently invented for the Khalsa. As mentioned before, Bhatt VEhis tell us that Guru Sahib himself dressed the Khalsa in Blue.
Furthermore, the vaar “Vah Vah Gobind Singh Aapay Gur Chela” we all sing, tells us about the creation of the Khalsa as well.
ਨਿਜ ਪੰਥ ਚਲਾਇਓ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਧਰਿ ਤੇਜ ਕਰਾਰਾ॥
ਸਿਰ ਕੇਸ ਧਾਰਿ ਗਹਿ ਖੜਗ ਕੋ ਸਭ ਦੁਸਟ ਪਛਾਰਾ॥
ਸੀਲ ਜਤ ਕੀ ਕਛ ਪਹਰਿ ਪਕੜੋ ਹਥਿਆਰਾ॥
ਸਚ ਫਤੇ ਬੁਲਾਈ ਗੁਰੂ ਕੀ ਜੀਤਿਓ ਰਣ ਭਾਰਾ॥
ਸਭ ਦੈਤ ਅਰਿਨਿ ਕੋ ਘੇਰ ਕਰਿ ਕੀਚੈ ਪ੍ਰਹਾਰਾ॥
ਤਬ ਸਹਿਜੇ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਿਓ ਜਗਤ ਮੈ ਗੁਰੁ ਜਾਪ ਅਪਾਰਾ॥
ਇਉਂ ਉਪਜੇ ਸਿੰਘ ਭੁਜੰਗੀਏ ਨੀਲ ਅੰਬਰ ਧਾਰਾ॥
See the last line. It says that “thus the Bhujangi Singhs were created, dressed in blue”.
The puritan Rehitnamas also tell us that Blue is a Khalsa colour. Bhai Daya Singh’s rehtinama tells us that a Khalsa colour is “surmaiee” or dark blue (verse 23). He goes on further to say , “So Akali rooop hai neel bastar dherai” or “An Akali is known by the blue garments he wears”. Clearly blue clothing was a special Khalsa colour!
Rattan Singh Bhangu in Pracheen Panth Parkash writes about the differences that lead to the split between Baba Banda Singh and the Tat-Khalsa. In regards to the clothing issue, he writes that Baba Banda Singh wanted his soldiers to wear red, which was unacceptable to the traditionally blue wearing Khalsa:
“ ਨੀਲ ਪਹਿਰਨ ਤੇ ਦੂਰ ਕਰਾਯੋ॥ ਸਮਰਾ ਸੂਹਾ ਸੀਸ ਬੰਧਾਯੋ॥ "
meaning, “he tried to wean them away from blue. He made them tie red on their heads” The Khalsa would not give up blue and could not wear red, so a split occurred.
Thus you can see that the Khalsa did indeed wear blue clothing and considered it their “special” colour, not just one colour amongst many others.
I have not written this to be a comprehensive article in support of blue. That would require a lot more research and that is something I don’t have much time for at the moment, but I did want to give an answer to the article on blue clothing.
Below is a passage from Twarikh Sikhan written in Farsi by Munshi Khushwaqt Rai in 1811. He is a non Sikh so he sees things in a different light, some things written in his book do not comply with Gurmat nor are some of his comments very respectful. However it is very interesting to read what he has observed, heard and may have read.
The following is related to the formation of the Khalsa and Guru Gobind Singh Jee’s transformation :
“ਅਜ਼ਾਂ ਰੋਜ਼ ਜ਼ੁਨਾਰ ਬ ਸ਼ਿਕਸਤ, ਵ ਲਿਬਾਸ ਨੀਲਗੂੰ ਅਖ਼ਤਯਾਰ ਕਰਦ, ਵ ਜ਼ੈਵਰ ਆਹਨੀ ਗੁਜੀਦ, ਵ ਵਜਾੱ ਗ਼ੈਰ ਮੁਕੱਰਰ ਨਮੂਦ, ਨ ਦੋ ਸ਼ਮਸ਼ੈਰ ਬਰ ਕਮਰ ਬਸਤ, ਖ ਕਾਰਦ ਵ ਚੱਕ੍ਰ ਵ ਤਪੰਚਾ ਵ ਕਮਾਣ ਵਗੈਰਾ ਹਰਬਾ ਹਾਇ ਆਹਨੀ ਬਰਖ਼ੁਦ ਆਵੇਖ਼ਤ I ਵ ਦਸਤਾਰ ਬ-ਕਦਰ ਯਕ ਦਸਤ ਦਰਾਜ਼ ਬਸਤਨ ਆੱਦਤ ਕਰਦ I”
“From that day the Janeoo was broken. The Blue dress was adorned. Sarbloh ornaments were adorned. A distinct appearance was made. Two gallant Gatra were put on. Karad(Kirpan), Chakar, a Pistol, kaman and other Sarbloh weapons and ornaments were adorned. The wearing of an Ucha Dumalla was introduced.”
The following is from the 'Sketch of the Sikhs' written by Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm published in 1812 :
The disciples of Govind were required to devote themselves to arms always to have steel(sarbloh) about them in some shape or other to wear a blue dress to allow their hair to grow to exclaim when they met each other Wa! Guruji Ka Khalsah! Wa Guruji Ki Futteh! which means Success to the state of the Guru! Victory attend the Guru. The intention of some of these institutions is obvious such as that principle of devotion to steel(sarbloh) by which all were made soldiers and that exclamation which made the success of their priest and that of the commonwealth the object of their hourly prayer It became in fact the watchword which was continually to revive in the minds of the Sikh disciple the obligations he owed to that community (pg48)
The mode is as follows. The convert told that he must allow his hair to grow. He must clothe himself from head to foot inblue clothes. He is then presented the five weapons a sword, a firelock, bow and arrow and a pike. One who initiate him then says The Guru is thy holy teacher and thou art his Sikh or disciple. Some sugar and water is put into a cup and stirred round with a steel(sarbloh) knife or dagger and some of the first chapters of the Adi Granth and the first chapters of the Dasama Padshah ka Granth are read and those who perform the initiation exclaim Wa! Guruji ka Khalsa! Wa! Guruji Ki Fateh!(Success to the state of the Guru! Victory attend the Guru)
(pg182-183)
Below is a passage from Gurbilas Patshai 10 written by Koer Singh in 1751. I have not seen historians quote this so it will be new to most readers. Its describes Guru Sahib wearing a Blue Chola :
ਜੂਝਤ ਭਯੋ ਡਰ ਡਾਰ ਤਬੈ, ਜਬ ਯਾ ਬਿਧਿ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਨੈਨ ਨਿਹਾਰੇ I
ਨੀਲਨਿ ਚੋਲ ਬਿਰਾਜਤ ਹੈ, ਅਰੁ ਬਾਜ ਸੁਹੇਲ ਜਿਗਾ ਕਲ ਧਾਰੇ I
ਨੀਲ ਜਿਗਾ ਮਨਿ ਨੀਲ ਲਸੈ ਪਟ, ਨੀਲ ਮਨੀ ਮਨ ਭੂਖਨ ਭਾਰੇ I
Below is a quote from Singh Sagar Granth written by Vir Singh Bal in 1827 mentioning the Blue Bana of the Khalsa :
ਆਲਸੁ ਨਾ ਜਾਂਨੈ ਕਹਿਯੋ ਔਰ ਕਾਨਿ ਮਾਂਨੈ ਐਸੋ I
ਖਾਲਸਾ ਮਹਾਂਨੈ ਰਚਿਯੋ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਅਪਾਰ ਜੂ I
ਨੀਲ ਪਟ ਧਾਰ ਸਭ ਆਯੁਸ ਸੰਭਾਰ ਸਿੰਘ,
ਉਠੈ ਭਬਕਾਰ ਕਾਂਪੈ ਕਾਬਲੁ ਘੰਧਾਰ ਜੂ I