Naga Sadhu
Kumbh Mela 2025: The tradition of Akharas entering the city in Maha Kumbh is a symbol of the amazing bravery and valor of the Naga Sannyasis. Behind this centuries-old tradition is a historical war of the 17th century, in which Naga ascetics protected Prayagraj from Afghan invaders. To commemorate this victory, the entry of Akharas into the city started, which is still an important event of Mahakumbh.
fought big battles with the Mughals
In fact, Naga Sadhus have fought and won big battles with the Mughals to protect Sanatan Dharma. The weapons of these sadhus were not like the trained army of the Mughals. Then he defeated the Mughals. At that time, Naga Sadhus had only simple lances, spears, swords and axes, they used to fight the invaders with this. When the Naga Sadhus reached their Akharas after defeating the invaders, they were welcomed like victorious warriors. Since then, the tradition of presenting Naga Sadhus in every Kumbh Mela started.
Organization of Naga Sanyasis and Defense of Prayag This glorious saga of Dashanami Naga Sanyasis is given in detail in the book “Dasanam Naga Sanyaasi” written by Shri Mahant Lalpuri. In this war, the Naga ascetics were led by a brave warrior named Rajendra Giri. He organized the Nagas at a place called Moth, 32 miles away from Jhansi, established authority over 114 villages and built a fort.
The Afghan army was driven out in the 17th century
Afghan invasions and atrocities During the 17th century, the people of Prayag were troubled by the atrocities of Afghans and Bangash Rohilas. Daylight robbery, insult to women’s honor and continuous attacks became common. People were forced to leave their villages and cities. At that time, Mughal ruler Ahmed Shah gave power to Nawab Safdarjung of Awadh, due to which the Afghans rebelled. The Afghans defeated Safdarjung at a place called Ram Chautani near Farrukhabad and surrounded Prayag. The defenders of the fort were outnumbered and unable to withstand the attacks of the Afghans. Here too, the Naga monks along with the army of the local ruler took charge and defeated the Afghans. The story of victory of Naga Saints was written in Fatehgarh Farrukhabad.
When the news spread that there was a crisis in Prayag. Hearing the news that the Afghan invaders had attacked Prayag, Rajendra Giri prepared a huge army of Naga ascetics and faced the Afghan attack on Prayag. He broke the siege of Afghans and freed the people from their atrocities. His disciples Umrao Giri and Anoop Giri also showed unparalleled bravery in this war.
From time to time Naga ascetics preserved Sanatan Dharma
Even during the times of Ghaznavi and Babar, Naga ascetics sacrificed their lives to preserve Sanatan Dharma and kept the invaders fearing in their hearts.
- From 1001 to 1027, Mahmud Ghaznavi launched several attacks on India and destroyed major Hindu temples. The most famous example is the Somnath Temple, which was destroyed by Ghaznavi in 1025. To protect these temples, a group of Naga ascetics used to take charge at the forefront as the vanguard squads of the armies of the Indian kings.
- Ghaznavi launched several attacks to plunder and destroy Hindu temples and these attacks were repulsed by the Naga Sadhus. However, not much detailed information is available about his struggles at this time. It is believed that the stories of sacrifice of Naga ascetics remained suppressed only because they were no longer a part of normal public life.
- Even during the reign of Babur between 1526 and 1530, Hindu temples were damaged, especially the Ram temple in Ayodhya and the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Babar’s army chief Mir Bakhtiyar had demolished the Ram temple of Ayodhya. The Naga Sadhus fought at the local level against Babur and his subsequent rulers.
- The struggles of the Naga Sadhus were important during the tyrannical rule of Aurangzeb between 1667 and 1690. Aurangzeb adopted a policy of destroying Hindu temples, and during this period the Naga Sadhus fought against the Mughals in many places.
- After corrupting many huge and amazing architectural examples of temples of North India, Aurangzeb destroyed the Kashi Vishwanath temple in 1669 and built a mosque there. After this incident, Naga Sadhus started fighting for the reconstruction of this temple. In this conflict, Naga Sadhus protested fiercely against the rule of Aurangzeb.
- In Mathura and Vrindavan, in 1670, Aurangzeb demolished the famous Krishna Janmabhoomi temple of Mathura and built a mosque there. Naga Sadhus also carried out armed revolution to protect this temple. However, detailed information about the conflict of this time is not available.
- The Naga Sadhus fought a major battle against Aurangzeb at Sangramgarh between 1670 and 1680. Which is seen as an attempt to protect Hindu religion. In this there was cooperation of Naga Sadhus along with Sikhs and Marathas.
Naga Sadhus were not only religious ascetics, but they were also experts in warfare. He fought direct battles with the Mughals to protect Hinduism. His military organizational ability and bravery played an important role in these wars.
(Acharya Indu Prakash is a well-known astrologer of the country, who has vast experience in Vastu, Samudrik Shastra and Astrology. You see him giving predictions every morning at 7:30 am on India TV.)
