Deg o Tegh o Fateh

Deg o Tegh o Fateh is the original Sikh National Anthem. Most Sikhs wrongly think that Deh Shiva Bar Mohe was the National Anthem of the Sikh States, which is completely wrong, as Deh Shiva... was just introduced when the Sikh Kingdoms were merged with Indian state. This anthem was used in the Sikh Kingdom until 1948.

Used in Kingdoms

Banda Singh Bahadur introduced an official seal for his Hukamnamas and Furmans or letters and orders. It bore the inscription.

Deg-o-Tegh- o-Fateh Nusrat-i-bedirang,

Kettle (the means to feed the poor), Sword (the power to protect the weak and helpless), Victory and Unhesitating Patronage

Yaft az Nanak Guru Gobind Singh.

(are) obtained from Nanak Guru Gobind Singh.

This inscription was later on adopted by the Sikh Misaldar Sardars and rulers for their coins. It was the national anthem of Patiala State. This national anthem had been sung in all the Sikh States until 1948. Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha, too, has mentioned it in his magnum opus Mahan Kosh (at page 1165 of the 1999 edition).

Lyrics

Degh o tegh o fateh o nusrat bedirang,

Zaafat az Nanak - Guru Gobind Singh.

Raj karega Khalsa aaki rahe na koe,

Khuar hoe sabh milenge bache sharn jo hoey.