Akal Sena | |
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ਅਕਾਲ ਸੈਨਾ | |
Active | 15 June 1606 – 13 April 1699 |
Allegiance | Sikh Gurus |
Branch | Akali-Nihang Pathan regiment Risaldari (cavalry) |
Type | |
Headquarters | Akal Bunga, Amritsar |
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Wars | |
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Gurus |
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Successor | Khalsa Fauj |
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The Akal Sena (Gurmukhi: ਅਕਾਲ ਸੈਨਾ; meaning 'Army of the Immortal', 'God's Army', or 'Eternal Army'; alternatively transcribed as Akaal Sena)[1][2][3] was the Sikh military force established by the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind.[4][5] It was the first standing Sikh army.[6] It was also known as the Akali Dal (Gurmukhi: ਅਕਾਲੀ ਦਲ, 'Immortal Brigade').[7]
Akal Takht Sahib became the seat of Sikh power and gave the Sikhs a rallying point as a symbol of Sikh sovereignty. It is from the Akal Takht Sahib that the Guru administered justice like a king in a court, accepted gifts of arms and horses, and awarded honors and punishment. Guru Hargobind Sahib, for example, is noted as having 800 horses in the stables, 300 troopers on horseback, and 60 men with firearms at all times. This tradition was carried forward by Guru Harirai Sahib, the seventh Guru, who maintained an army that consisted of 2,200 mounted soldiers. This army of the Akal Takht Sahib came to be called the Akal Sena (immortal army), and its warriors were honored as the Akalis (the immortals)
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