A bola literally means a saying; bolay are the sayings of Nihang Singhs which in recent years have even become popular in common Punjabi culture. Often an item is called by the characteristics it possesses or the effect that it has. For example, a chilli is called ‘larakki’ which refers to someone with a fighting nature as a result of the sting it leaves on ones tongue. A fever or illness which causes weakening is referred to as ‘Aakarhpun’ - destroyer of pride/arrogance.
In many ways the language of the Nihang Singhs sheds light on the difficult times which they have gone through and illustrates how they maintain high spirits ‘Chardi Kala’ in tough and easy times. They essentially developed a distinct idiom to describe ordinary and dull things in life, or make the most out of dire conditions. This is illustrated by the luxurious titles given basic necessities needed for survival which have not always been available to Nihangs, an example being the term ‘Mitha Parshada’, meaning sweet blessed food which actually refers to leftover chapatti which is a day or more old.
The bolay also reflects the military struggles of the Khalsa. Those who have opposed the Sikhs at any stage in history find themselves somewhat ridiculed in Nihang dialect. The term for a donkey is ‘Thanedar’, meaning police officer as Nihangs are renowned for their carefree disregard for worldly authorities which the police represent. Muslim priests (Qazi’s) encouraged many atrocities on the Sikhs during the Mughal Rule of India, in return the Singhs use the term Qazi when referring to a cockerel.
Some bolay also serve military and defence purposed. Nihang Singhs refer to their kashere (briefs) as a chouni, meaning encampment. The Nihang Singh kasherra is notoriously large in size and from a far distance would appear to enemy scouts as tents of the Khalsa warrior; suggesting the Khalsa warriors numbered far greater then they did. Furthermore, one single Nihang Singh fashions himself to be ‘sava lakh’ or 125,000, thus enemies spies are never able to evaluate the numbers of the Khalsa army as from every quarter they would hear different numbers. Nihang Singhs also refer to milk as samunder (ocean). Hearing of Nihangs drinking the ocean would strike fear into enemy ranks long before they ever encountered the Khalsa on the battlefield. Such psychological tactics have always been used by the Khalsa. Nihang Darshan Singh states:
"Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji would rename some of the smaller or weaker Singhs in the ranks of the Khalsa army. Maharaj would bestow them with lofty titles such as ‘Dharti-Halla Singh’ (earth shaker). This would not only send fear and doubt deep within the ranks of the enemy soldiers, but encouraged the Singhs in the Khalsa army to fight heroically with courage and confidence and honour the names given to them by the Guru’.A selection of Nihang Singh bolay and the object which they refer to in English are listed below:
Nihang Bola -English
Aanday- Potatoes
Aakar Pun- Body illness
Aring Baring- Lying Down
Bada- Chick Peas
BasantKaur- Corn
Bata- Iron Bowl
Bateray- Aubergine
Billa- Englishmen
Birajkay- Seated
Bhuchange Bhuchangan- Son/ Daughter
Choona- Flour
Chugal- Mirror
Chup- Sugar
DC- Limper
Garday- Rice
Gobinday- Watermelon
Gobindyia- Carrots
Gurh- Jaggery
Heeray- White Hair
Hulla- Hurry
Jaan Bhai- Horse
Jahaj- Cart
Kulga- Baldy
Kastoora- Pig
Kesar- Turmeric
Laraki- Chilly
Mamla- Money
Mastana- Carefree/ Empty
Mitha Parshad- Chapati
Morcha- Endeavor
Nihal Kaur- Blanket
Parsram- Axe
Patwaree- Cat
Pathan Siri- Cauliflower
Pootni- Train
Qazi- Cockerel
Rupa- Onion
Samundar- Milk
Sarb Ras- Salt
Siropa- Beating
Sukha- Cannabies
Subedar- Sweeper
Tehsildar- Intelligent
Thanedar- Donkey
Theekar- Body
Tid Fookni- Tea
Tokhay Baj- Spoon
VaheerMobile- CampJO GAJJ KE BULAAVE GURU GOBIND SINGH JI DE MAN NU BHAAVE ....NIHAAL NIHAAL NIHAAL HO JAAVE
SATTTTSRIIIIIIAKAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLUUUHHH ..!!
Ravinder Singh
ਸਤਿਗੁਰਬਚਨਕਮਾਵਣੇਸਚਾਏਹੁਵੀਚਾਰੁ॥