Before founding of Khalsa in 1699, Akali Nihang Guru Gobind Singh altered the structure of the Sikh standing army, the 'Buddha Dal'. The Buddha Dal was split into 'Akalis' and 'Nihangs'. The high-ranking soldiers of 'Akal Sena' were from that time termed 'Akali' and other ordinary soldiers 'Nihang'. Collectively they were known as 'Akali Nihangs' - the traditional custodians of Khalsa Sikhism.

Also see 'Akali'.