NIHANG KHAN, Muslim chief of Kotia Nihang Khan, near Ropar, in the Punjab, was a devotee of Guru Gobind Singh. According to Sarup Singh Kaushish, Guru kidn Sakhtan, he with his wife and sons attended Baisakhi festivity at Anandpur in 1694 and rendered homage to the Guru. At his request. Guru Gobind Singh visited him in his village a month later on the occasion of the betrothal of his son and blessed the family.
References :
1. Padam, Piara Singh and Giani Garja Singh, ed.. Guru kidn Sakhian. Patiala, 1986
The story of Nihang Khan unfolds as a shining example of interfaith respect at a time when spiritual bonds transcended religious divides. Nihang Khan, a Muslim chief from Kotia near Ropar in the Punjab, was a deeply devout admirer of Guru Gobind Singh. In 1694, during the vibrant Baisakhi celebrations at Anandpur Sahib—a festival filled with spiritual fervor and communal joy—Nihang Khan, along with his wife and sons, journeyed to pay homage to the Guru. His presence at this significant event was not merely ceremonial; it was an earnest expression of his devotion and belief in the Guru’s message of universal brotherhood and equality.
Moved by the sincerity of Nihang Khan’s reverence, Guru Gobind Singh responded in a manner that would forever etch this episode in the annals of Sikh history. At the behest of Nihang Khan, the Guru visited his village approximately a month later during the celebration of the betrothal of his son. This personal visit was not only an acknowledgment of Nihang Khan’s deep-seated faith but also a gesture that transcended any religious or cultural boundaries, as Guru Gobind Singh conferred his blessings upon the entire family. The event stands as a powerful symbol of the harmonious coexistence and mutual respect that characterized the interactions between Sikh and Muslim communities during that era.
