Eternal Army Bashny.Net

Photographer from New York, Mark Hartman spent all of March and April 2014 in India, filmed, including a series of portraits Nihang Sikhs, "Eternal Army" - representatives of the Sikhs who comply with all covenants and Sikhism are the backbone of beliefs.






In 1469 the first religion of Sikhism originated in the Punjab, founded her Guru Nanak. 26 million Sikhs - a significant number of people to Sikhism was considered one of the world's influential religions. There are among the Sikhs and Nihang Sikhs, something like priests, holders of faith who hold sacred, and support all the traditions of Sikhism.





Although Sikhism and religion, Sikhs believe that the person has the right to profess any religion. Sikhs have amazing courage. They believe that people can win, even if still in the minority. Sikhs are nomadic. They live well over 300 years. Almost all are in a state of spiritual harmony and not attached to material values.





According to the ordinance of his order Sikhs are not allowed to marry, and are not allowed to work and must receive all of the free population.



They grow long beards, armed to the teeth and come to the villages of India, where demand to be fed, given money and have taken to the right place. Presumably, they are just afraid to resist. And the non-greedy Indians gladly treat guests. So Sikhs live in freedom.





But God forbid someone from the members of the Order broke with tradition! Even just look askance at the main member of the Order: it mercilessly killed. Sikhs do not fear death.

Sikh warriors beautiful: that's who should be put on the protection of state borders. They are agile, great riders, own piercing and cutting weapons, fight like wolves, even can really tear the opponent, if need be. To die a natural death Nihang can not: they must accept death in battle.





You're probably also wondering how they make their numbers, if they can not get married? In this case, they go out of the ordinary Sikhs in order.