Jangnamah poetry used by Punjabi authors to narrate conflict has valuable historical significance, as shown in a work from World War I.
Nand Singh was a poet, and a soldier who fought under the British in Aden during World War I. A valuable historical narrative of the war, Jangnamah Europe was written by him. It carries forward the tradition that came to Punjab in the 16th century.
What is a Jangnamah?
‘Jangnamah’ is an epic poem or a heroic poem in Indian, Afghani, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi literature. The term Jangnama refers to epic poetry in general.
Before World War I
As a literary response to the Persian epics, Jangnamah, a genre of historical poetic writing which documented the events of the war emerged in Punjab in the late 16th century. It was honed by Punjabi Muslim poets like Maulvi Rukundin, Hamid, and Shahjahan Muqbal who commemorated the 7th-century Islamic wars of Karbala, Badr, and Uhud.
There are many valuable literary and historical narratives about the colonial wars and conflicts documented in Nand Singh's work and those of other Jangnamahs from the British period in Punjab. Before World War I, Punjabi soldiers fought under British forces in the Second Anglo-Afghan War, the Anglo-Egyptian War, the Second Opium War, the Boxer Rebellion in China, and multiple campaigns in the Northwest Frontier. Despite the limited documentation of this period, Jangnamah poetry still retains a vital, yet largely forgotten role.
Another period of great turmoil and conquest in Punjab was caused by Afghan invasions, the collapse of the Mughal Empire, and the rise of the Sikh power in the late 18th century. As a result, the Punjabi poet saw war as a tangible phenomenon, leading to a renaissance in Jangnamah literature. Eventually, it shifted to a historically accurate poetic description of war as witnessed by contemporary poets.
As part of the British Raj, defeated Sikh chiefs were called to "retrieve their characters" by joining the British Indian Army. A majority of those who joined the British army served on the North West Frontier. A variety of poetry has been inspired by the bleak, blood-thirsty passes, such as Rudyard Kipling's romanticized ballads and the folk Pashto legends of Malalai of Maiwand, who died rallying the Afghan Ghazis to fight the "British infidels" in the Second Anglo-Afghan War. It was during this period that at least half a dozen Jangnamahs were composed; the most noteworthy are those about the siege of Delhi during Mutiny and the expeditions of Chitral, Tirah, and Malakand in the North-Western Frontier.
JANGNAMAH EUROPE
Jangnamah Europe was completed on 7 June 1919 by Nand Singh. It is considered the most comprehensive work in Punjabi that dealt with the people, empires, and politics of the European and Middle Eastern nations. Despite the grim nature of its subject, Jungnamah Europe evokes the pluralism and diversity of undivided Punjab.
In Jangnamah Europe, Nand Singh begins with a verse about the Serbian assassination of the Shehzada (Prince) of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The poem then discusses the events that led to the German invasion of Belgium. In the poem, he discusses events leading to the German invasion of Belgium and how the compassionate British Government stood with Belgium and France in defiance of the arrogant German government.
During World War I, Havildar Nand Singh wrote the Janganamah Europe, an empirical account of the First World War. Taiping, Malaysia, is where his regiment's headquarters were established in 1896. The force was formed by the Perak Sikh police force and was mainly composed of Punjabi Sikh and Muslim soldiers. Although the Guides had served overseas multiple times, they were not baptized by blood in Yemen until World War I. As early as September 26, 1915, they left Taiping to join the Aden Field Force. A weaver, a bard, a teacher, a clerk, and even Pundits, and Maulvis were drafted into the service and trained in digging bunkers, shooting rifles, and saluting officers, according to Nand Singh.
The poem is characterized by the repeated mention of the misery and longing of the women left behind at home. In their eyes, both local officials and Germans are villains, they lament the local police constable who threatened their sons with false accusations to enlist, and loathes the Zaildar and village heads who 'took' their sons, brothers, and husbands away. Their sons are slaughtered in the unheard lands of France and Basra, and as the war progresses, they receive messages of their sons' deaths from regimental stations.
As opposed to most other Jangnamahs of this period, he uses the word Sahib once only for Lord Kitchener. He emphasizes 'Namak Halali' (loyalty) over and over again, whether it's for the 14th Sikh Regiment, which fought almost to their death at Gallipoli, or for all recruits to uphold. Nand Singh discusses multiple theaters of action, including Gallipoli, Kut-al-Amara, Baghdad, and Verdun on the Western Front. Major General J M Stewart, General Officer commanding the Aden Field Force, praises and appreciates his regiment's bravery in battles in and near Aden and their courage earned them a Military Cross, an Indian Order of Merit, and eight Indian Distinguished Service Medals.
Though the war ended, Nand Singh and his fellow soldiers did not feel relief. As soon as the guns and artillery were silenced, the influenza epidemic struck down, killing an estimated 14 million Indians (not just soldiers).
Nand Singh writes:
“With the telegraphs of the armistice, nemesis changed its face/ The deadly fever spread, it takes a man’s life faster than the bullet’s pace”
The Malay State Guides had at first resisted mobilizing in 1914. The different causes include the seditious Ghadarite influence, the Komagata Maru event, and Muslim soldiers' sympathies for the Khilafat Movement. The British abolished the unit in 1919 even though they eventually renewed their offer while constantly keeping this hesitation in mind. Either the soldiers were integrated into other regiments or they were sent back to Punjab with pay and pensions. The likelihood is that Nand Singh returned home after demonstrating his namak halali, unfortunately with a seditious label.
The Jangnamah narrative illustrates the soldiers' bravery in its most naked form, celebrating their ability to overcome fear and continue. In keeping with this tradition, Nand Singh writes:
“Death holds no fear for us, what honour is it to fall abaft holding the Saber fine?
After raising the Sarkar’s rifle, what honour is it to fright and whine?
Die thyself or kill thy enemy, what honour is it to war without all thy might
After enlisting on the rolls, what honour is it to fear death or even its sight?
Seeking to prove loyalty, what honour is it held back from the battlefield?
Never keep the trader’s heart, what honour is it to blame fate and yield?”
According to Jangnamah Europe, Sikh soldiers never feared war and fought the war with courage and bravery, keeping their spirits high against all odds. Nand Singh’s work gives a measured view of the war and helps readers understand what it meant to the native soldiers to be loyal and honorable to their regiment. It instills enthusiasm not only in the hearts of the Sikhs but in the hearts of all soldiers who have fought in battle.
*Based on an article by Raman Singh Chhina