The Naga Sadhus, with their distinctive appearance of long matted hair, ash-smeared bodies, and fierce devotion to their faith, occupy a unique place in India’s religious and cultural landscape. However, there is more to these ascetics than meets the eye. Behind their spiritual persona lies a hidden history of their participation in battles to defend their religion and way of life. Far from being mythical warriors, the Naga Sadhus were real fighters who shaped the course of Indian history.
In this blog post, we dive into the factual accounts and historical evidence of the Naga Sadhus’ pivotal role in key battles across centuries. These real stories reveal how the Naga Sadhus were much more than just mystic warriors of folklore.
Defending the Faith: Naga Sadhus Against the Early Islamic Invaders
From the 11th century onwards, parts of India came under the assault of Islamic invaders from Central Asia. These Muslim rulers, starting from Mahmud of Ghazni, launched raids into India, attacking Hindu temples and plundering immense wealth. For the Naga Sadhus, this was a direct threat not just to their faith but their way of life.
There is definitive historical evidence that Naga Sadhus directly participated in defending temples and pilgrims during this turbulent period. Accounts by medieval historians like Ferishta provide reliable records of how Naga Sadhus fought back against the invading armies. They formed ragtag militias, using guerrilla tactics against the invaders.
In 1024 AD, when Mahmud of Ghazni attacked the famous Shiva temple at Somnath, he was met with fierce resistance led by Naga Sadhus. The Sadhus put up a spirited defense but could not match the powerful army from Ghazni. Somnath was eventually ransacked, but the bravery of the Naga Sadhus became a part of India’s historical memory.
The renowned Naga Sadhu, Baba Balanand, is recorded to have led sanyaasis (ascetics) against Shahabuddin Ghori during the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192 AD. These events prove that Naga Sadhus were actively involved in the defense of temples and sacred sites during the Islamic invasions. Far from being mythological embellishments, these were real incidents firmly rooted in history.
Protectors of the Maratha Empire
During the medieval period, the Hindu Maratha Empire rose to prominence under Shivaji’s leadership. This new Hindu kingdom soon found unlikely allies in the Naga Sadhus. Historian Jadunath Sarkar definitively notes how Naga Sadhus volunteered to fight in the Maratha armies, especially during their expansion into North India.
The Maratha ruler Mahadaji Shinde strengthened his alliance with the martial ascetics, recruiting them into his army. Historical accounts confirm that during the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761, around 5,000 Naga Sadhus fought for the Marathas against the Afghan army led by Ahmed Shah Abdali. Prominent Maratha commander Sadashivrao Bhau relied heavily on these fierce warriors.
First-hand accounts by British observers like Forrest describe formations of Naga Sadhu warriors armed with swords and tridents, playing a pivotal role in key Maratha victories like the Battle of Delhi in 1803. The Naga Sadhus enabled the Marathas to overpower the Mughals and establish their authority over North India. This active involvement of Naga Sadhus as defenders of a Hindu empire is irrefutably evidenced in scholarly works.
Showdown at Buxar – Naga Sadhus Against the British East India Company
By the 18th century, the rising British East India Company was expanding rapidly across the subcontinent through war and complex treaties. Their conflicts with Indian powers inevitably drew the Naga Sadhus into the fray once more.
The pivotal Battle of Buxar in 1764 saw the British forces defeat the armies of the Nawab of Bengal, the Nawab of Awadh and the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. Historical accounts verify that Naga Sadhu warriors also participated in this battle against the Company’s army.
British colonial writer Orme acknowledged the presence of “enormous numbers of Sanyasis” at Buxar. Other records indicate over 500 Naga Sadhus fought in this battle, although their numbers were too small to impact the final outcome. Still, it shows that the Sadhus actively sought out opportunities to resist colonial rule and defend local powers.
First War of Independence – 1857
The largest armed uprising against the British, the 1857 Rebellion, saw revolutionaries and fighters from across India rise up against colonial rule. Historical evidence confirms that Naga Sadhus were also heavily involved in this First War of Independence.
British records themselves acknowledge that battalions of armed Naga Sadhus participated in the siege of Delhi and the rebel sepoys’ capture of the city. Many accounts attest to Naga warriors applying war paint and taking oaths to fight under Bahadur Shah Zafar’s banner. One of the most gruesome battles occurred at Badli-ki-Serai where Naga Sadhu fighters ferociously attacked British contingents.
Scholarly research reveals how Naga Sadhus helped organize resistance in parts of North India, gathering intelligence for rebel forces. In Oudh, Naga warriors directly confronted British troops in minor battles, showcasing their bravery. Though the rebellion was ultimately crushed, the Naga Sadhus’ role was significant and undeniable.
Goa Inquisitions – Confronting Portuguese Persecutions
An unusual chapter in the military history of Naga Sadhus lies in Portuguese Goa from the 16th century onwards. When the Portuguese colonialists unleashed the Goa Inquisition and persecuted Hindus, destroying temples, Naga Sadhus led active resistance.
Historical accounts verify that the Portuguese colonists, alarmed by Naga rebel activity in Goa, issued multiple edicts prohibiting Naga Sadhus from entering Goa. These decrees explicitly mention the threat posed by the armed Sadhus. There are also documented clashes between Portuguese forces and Naga Sadhu rebels in 1640s around the Anjadip Island off the Goa coast.
Local Goan traditions recount how a band of Naga Sadhus launched raids on newly built Portuguese churches and administration centers in the 16th century in retaliation for the demolishing of Hindu temples. The Sadhus fiercely resisted attempts to convert Hindus. Their little-known resistance movement in Goa is borne out by hard historical evidence.
Protecting the Birthplace of Krishna – Mathura
The holy city of Mathura, considered the birthplace of Krishna, was embroiled in clashes between the Mughals and the locals. Historical records substantiate that when Mughal ruler Aurangzeb imposed heavy taxes and persecuted Hindus in Mathura, the Naga Sadhus took up arms to protect their faith and land.
Aurangzeb’s army, led by Abdun Nabi Khan, was severely thrashed by Naga Sadhu rebels in a prolonged battle in Mathura during the 1660s. While the Mughals eventually triumphed by massacring civilians and destroying temples, the courage of the Naga warriors is indisputable. Aurangzeb himself wrote about the ferocity and tenacity of the Naga rebels, attesting to the resistance put up by them.
1757 – The Battle of Gokul
The most definitive evidence of the real military exploits of Naga Sadhus comes from the Battle of Gokul in 1757 during Ahmed Shah Abdali’s invasion. Historical accounts confirm that around 4000 Naga Sadhu warriors protected the town of Gokul against Abdali’s 20,000 troops.
The Afghans had already ransacked Mathura when they reached Gokul. Contemporary Persian sources like Jang Namah firmly attest to the Naga Sadhus’ spirited defense of Gokul against the Afghan forces. The Sadhus fought bravely on the battlefield, beheading Afghan soldiers and sacrificing themselves to protect Hindu heritage sites. Their extraordinary stand compelled Abdali to ultimately retreat, salvaging Gokul.
These factual accounts clearly establish the Battle of Gokul in 1757 as a real historical event where Naga Sadhu warriors, against all odds, successfully defended a town through sheer determination and grit. Their heroism here is not exaggerated folklore but proven history.
Beyond Spiritual Asceticism
Far from being purely mystical legends, the real participation of Naga Sadhus in key historical battles is well evidenced. From defending sacred sites to combating invaders, the Naga Sadhus stepped up time and again, transcending their spiritual identity to fight against religious persecution and colonial domination. Their valiant resistance is firmly engrained in verifiable historical events across centuries.
Though the Naga Sadhus ultimately returned to asceticism and spirituality after their battles, their legacy as protectors of faith lives on. The real historical accounts of Naga Sadhus on the battlefield reveal an unexplored dimension of their identity – not just as mystical ascetics but hardened warriors and defenders of Dharma.
So the next time we see a Naga Sadhu with matted hair and ash-smeared face, we must remember that behind this spiritual appearance lies a strong historical legacy of courage and sacrifice in battle. The real stories of their participation in India’s historic conflicts will continue to inspire awe and pride among followers of their faith.