Literally, one who belongs to Akaal (beyond Time). In other words, an Akaali is that person who is subject of none but God only. Conceptually speaking, the terms Akaali, Khalsa and Sikh are synonymous. The term Akaali was first used during the time of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. The term Akaali became popular in the last decades of the eighteenth century when Bhai Naina Singh, the uncle and the predecessor of Akaali Phula Singh used it as prefix of his name. His successor Phula Singh became even more popular as Akaali. Akaali Phula Singh was the caretaker of Darbar Sahib and Akaal Takht Sahib in 1800. He was known for his commitment to the cause of the nation. He brought an end to the un-Sikh practices started by the Hindu caretakers of the Sikh shrines. (During dark days of the Sikh history when the Sikhs were living in their hide-outs, the Sikh shrines had been occupied and controlled by the Udaasis and the Nirmalaas. This happened again after the death of Akaali Phula Singh and more organisedly after the annexation of the Sikh Homeland by the British in 1849). Since Akaali Phula Singh, the term came to be associated with “commitment, fearlessness, boldness, struggle, and justice.” In 1920, when the Sikhs began Gurdwara Reform Movement, a newspaper was started, on May 21, 1920. It was named Akaali, apparently to associate it with the popular stories of boldness of Akaali Phula Singh. Akaali is, usually, spelled as AKAALI.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)