Nishan Sahib

Nishan Sahib
Nishan Sahib
Nishan Sahib
(Current Basanti[disambiguation needed] reinforced by Akal Takht Authority towards 2024) [1][2]
UseOther Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Reverse side is mirror image of obverse side
Proportion1:1 or 1:2
Adopted12 October 1936; 88 years ago (1936-10-12)[a]
DesignA triangular flag, either basanti (xanthic) or surmai (navy blue), featuring the Khanda at its centre.[4]
Designed byGuru Hargobind (yellowish-orange)
Guru Gobind Singh (navy blue)
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The Nishan Sahib (Punjabi: ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ ਸਾਹਿਬ, lit. 'respected ensign'), also known as the Sikh flag, is used to represent the Sikh people worldwide.[5] In 1936, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee ratified the Sikh Rehet Maryada, which states its colour as either basanti (xanthic) or surmai (navy blue).[3] It is a triangular flag with a Khanda in its centre, made of cotton or silk cloth, and has a tassel at its end.[6]

The most common form of the Nishan Sahib, used in gurdwaras around the world, features a saffron (orange) colour.[7] The Akal Takht decided on 15 July 2024, in accordance with the Sikh Rehat Maryada, that only basanti or surmai colours are acceptable, while kesri (saffron) is not.[8]

  1. ^ "From kesri to basanti: history and politics around the colour of the holy Nishan Sahib". The Indian Express. 2024-08-17. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  2. ^ Sethi, Chitleen K.; ThePrint (2024-07-29). "After complaints of 'saffronisation', Akal Takht mandates xanthic & blue colours for Nishan Sahib flag". ThePrint. Retrieved 2024-08-22. Akal Takht, the highest temporal body of the Sikhs, has issued a circular asking gurdwaras across the state to ensure that the colour of the Nishan Sahib is either basanti (xanthic) or surmai (blue).
  3. ^ a b "Sikh Reht Maryada". SGPC. 18 March 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-03-18.
  4. ^ Sethi, Chitleen K. (29 July 2024). "After complaints of 'saffronisation', Akal Takht mandates xanthic & blue colours for Nishan Sahib flag". The Print. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  5. ^ Singh, Jay (2002). Teach Me about Sikhism. Trafford Publishing. p. 18. ISBN 978-1-55369-822-7. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  6. ^ Mayled, Jon (2002). Sikhism. Heinemann. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-435-33627-1. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  7. ^ Singh, Pashaura (2019). A Dictionary of Sikh Studies. Oxford Quick Reference. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780192508430. Mostly, the flag is triangular in shape and saffron in colour. Nihangs usually have dark-blue-coloured flags in their gurdwaras.
  8. ^ Singh, Surjit. "Nishan Sahib at gurdwaras to be blue or yellow". The Hindustan Times. Retrieved 29 July 2024.


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