Akalees

The Akalis, whose name means “immortals” or “timeless ones,” were a class of Sikh warriors renowned for their bravery and ferocity and recognized by their distinctive clothing. One of their unique accessories was a metal disk, a chakkar, a sharp and lethal weapon that could be thrown or used at close range. The Punjabi word is related to “chakra,” the Sanskrit word for wheel; the common English term for this type of weapon is “quoit.” The Akalis wore chakkars on their turbans and on other parts of their bodies, as seen here.

The conical form of the Akalis’ turban is said to originate in ancient South Asian mythology, as a shrine to the seventh and highest energy center in the body. The chakkar, also seen in Hindu imagery, likewise suggests the cyclical nature of life, and the form appears as well at the center of the essential modern symbol of Sikhism, the Khanda.