The Origin of the “Fifty” that Sikhs Tie Under their Turban

The ‘fifty’ is a band of cloth, visible in the form of a triangle on the forehead of a Sikh wearing a turban, just below the cusp or peak of the turban. It is usually in a colour that contrasts or matches that of the turban itself.

Have seen many tying a patka (under turban) underneath the turban or they are back to tying a small keski before donning the full turban. It helps keep the long and unshorn hair neat and tidy under the turban so that the stragglers(hair strands) are not sticking out and also helps in keeping the turban firm on the head.

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During the time of first world war, the British army had a lot of Sikh troops who were sent out of India for fighting the war.

Devout Sikhs keep their head covered all the time.

The Sikh soldiers had asked the British to provide them all with a turban cloth (about 5m ) and a cloth for tying beneath the turban(about 2.5m ).

The British agreed to provide this to the Sikh troops but since they were unaware of the names of these articles (2.5m half measure of turban) . They called the 2.5m cloth as ‘Fifty’ alongside the 5m turban.

Though the size of the Fifty has changed a lot over time, the name comes from British empire days when they issued a turban and a “fifty” to each Sikh soldier.

Hope it helps to unravel the mystery!

In Pics: *1st Regiment of Cavalry* (Punjab Frontier Force) Sikh Dafadar in 1893 wearing a white ‘fifty’ during British Era

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