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==Philosophy==
==Philosophy==
{{Main|Sikhism|Sikh Gurus}}
{{Main|Sikhism|Sikh Gurus}}
hi

The basis of the religion is the union of soul with God. A Sikh disciplines his thoughts and actions so that the five obstacles—lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego—are dispelled and the soul is united with God. Sikhs believe that the cycle of reincarnation is escaped by this union.
The basis of the religion is the union of soul with God. A Sikh disciplines his thoughts and actions so that the five obstacles—lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego—are dispelled and the soul is united with God. Sikhs believe that the cycle of reincarnation is escaped by this union.


Revision as of 02:35, 1 December 2010

This article is about adherents of Sikhism. For the town in Kedah, Malaysia, see Sik, Kedah.
Sikhs
ਸਿੱਖ
The Nishan Sahib, flag of the Sikhs
Total population
25,000,000 (25 million)[1]
Regions with significant populations
 India      19,215,730[2]
 United States670,000[3]
 United Kingdom389,000[4]
 Canada278,415[5]
 Malaysia100,000[6]
 Italy70,000[7]
 Thailand70,000[8]
 Australia22,000[9]
 Pakistan20,000[10]
 Kuwait20,000[11]
 Indonesia15,000[12]‡
 Netherlands12,000[13]
 France10,000[14]
 Singapore9,733[15]
 New Zealand9,507[16]
 Germany8,000[17]
   Nepal5,890[18]
5,000[19]
 Fiji4,674[20]
 Afghanistan3,000[21]
 Austria2,794[22]
 Ireland1,200[23]
Languages
Punjabi
Among the Sikh diaspora English, Hindi, Urdu, Swahili, Malay, Thai, Persian, Pashto and others.
Religion
Sikhism
† Estimated figure as of 2004.
‡Indonesian law does not recognize Sikhism, thus Sikhs are not allowed to identify themselves as such on their identity cards or birth or marriage certificates, Sikhs are therefore registered as Hindu.
Part of a series on
Sikhism
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Selected revered saints
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Sikhism and other religions

A Sikh (/ˈsiːk/ or /ˈsɪk/; Punjabi: ਸਿੱਖ, sikkh [ˈsɪkkʰ]) is a follower of Sikhism. Sikhism (Sikhi in Punjabi) primarily originated in 15th century Punjab region of India. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term śiṣya, meaning "disciple, student" or śikṣa, meaning "instruction".[24][25] A Sikh is a disciple of the Guru.

According to Article I of the "Rehat Maryada" (the Sikh code of conduct and conventions), a Sikh is defined as "any human being who faithfully believes in One Immortal Being; ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to Sri Guru Gobind Singh; Sri Guru Granth Sahib; the teachings of the ten Gurus and the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru; and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion".[26] Sikhs believe in the equality of mankind, the concept of universal brotherhood of man and One Supreme God (Ik Onkar).

Most Sikhs are recognized by their distinctly wrapped turbans, uncut hair, and steel bracelet (kara), although in the Western world this is not necessarily the case. Most men have Singh (lion) and women Kaur (princess) in their names.

The greater Punjab region is the historical homeland of the Sikhs, although significant communities exist around the world.

Philosophy

Main articles: Sikhism and Sikh Gurus

hi The basis of the religion is the union of soul with God. A Sikh disciplines his thoughts and actions so that the five obstacles—lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego—are dispelled and the soul is united with God. Sikhs believe that the cycle of reincarnation is escaped by this union.

Guru Nanak, was the founder of Sikhism. The Guru summed the basis of Sikh lifestyle as: Naam Japo, Kirat Karni and Wand kay Shako, which means meditate on the holy name (Waheguru), work diligently and honestly, and share one's fruits.[27] The guiding principles of the Sikh faith are Truth, Equality, Freedom, Justice, and Karma.

The Sikhs revere Sri Guru Granth Sahib as their supreme teacher. The tenth Guru appointed Siri Guru Granth Sahib as the final and eternal Guru of the Sikhs. Siri Guru Granth Sahib is revered by Sikhs as their supreme guide. Non-Sikhs can partake fully in Sikh ceremonies, prayer meetings, and social functions. Their daily prayers include the well-being of all of mankind.[28]

Sikhism can be considered one of the more universal religions. The Siri Guru Granth Sahib, in addition to the revelations of the Sikh gurus, contains revelations of various saints and sages of that period. The opening hymn of the holy Siri Guru Granth Sahib expounds the nature and attributes of God:

There is one supreme eternal reality; the truth; immanent in all things; creator of all things; immanent in creation. Without fear and without hatred; not subject to time; beyond birth and death; self-revealing. Known by the Guru’s grace.[29]

Sikhs are not required to renounce the world.[30] They aspire to live the life of a householder. Seva (service) is an integral part of Sikh worship, very easily observed in the Gurdwara. Visitors of any religious or socio-economic background are welcomed, where langar (food for all) is always served and is another way to break the caste system by serving people of all origins the same food, while sitting together on the same level of the floor.

Protecting the religious and political rights of all people and preventing discrimination is an integral part of the Sikh faith. The 5th Guru Arjan Dev was martyred by the Mughal ruler Jahangir on May 16, 1606. The martyrdom of Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji 9th Guru to protect Hindus from religious persecution, in Delhi, on 11 November 1675 AD, is another example of upholding minority religious freedom.[31]

People revered by Sikhs also include:[32]

Early Sikh scholars included Bhai Santokh Singh, Bhai Vir Singh and Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha.

Teachings

Sikhism believes in one supreme God. The Sikh school of thought started by Guru Nanak teaches gender and race equality, sharing, working hard and being honest, contentment, selfless service, talking sweetly, worshiping naam, good etiquette, tradition, prayer, meditation, the concept of miri-piri, the concept of the saint-soldier/warrior, remembering God all the time in all actions, keeping in good company, proper sexual conduct, the life of a householder instead of becoming a celibate monk or rejecting the world, compassion, faith, justice, mastery, righteous actions, bravery, courage, love for God, humility, salvation, the afterlife, the law of karma (karam) which is counteracted by dharma (dharam), charity, and good will to humanity. It also teaches God's omnipresence, transcendence, omnipotence, and omniscience.

The Sikh school of thought believes in reincarnation as well as the concept of many hells and heavens. Emphasis is on ethics, morals, and values; the Sikh faith does not accept miracles. The Sikh school of thought believes in reincarnation based on the foundation of Karma - hell and heaven is all to be experienced right here in this life. Besides ethics, morals and values the Sikh faith does not accept miracles—in fact the 9th Guru Teg Bahadur was beheaded by the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb as he refused to perform a miracle to justify his holiness and sanctity as a religious leader.

Sikhs do not believe in any supernatural deities (besides God) or angels or demons.

Devout Sikhs say 5 prayers in the morning between 1am-6am (japji, Anand Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Tav-Prasad Savaiye, Chaupai and Ardas), 1 prayer in evening from 5-7pm (Rehras and Ardas) and 1 before sleeping, around 8-10pm (Kirtan Sohila and Ardas).

Sikh scriptures teach the concept of moderation, exhorting followers to eat little, sleep little, talk little, consume as little as possible (not to extremes, but in the middle way) and to live pious saintly lives as well as the life of a warrior (understanding the greatest battle is within). Sikhism teaches a person to remove (the Five Evils): (kaam (kam)), krodh, lobh, moh and hankar) ego (see also Ego (spirituality)), pride, raging anger, sexual lust, worldly attachment, and greed, and to oppose hedonism as well as materialism and indulging one's appetites.

Guru Nanak sought to improve the respect of women by spreading this message: "From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come. When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound. So why call her bad? From her, kings are born. From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all. O Nanak, only the True Lord is without a woman." (page 473). In so doing, he promoted women's rights and equality, a remarkable stance in the 15th century.

Sikhism teaches the Hierarchy of the master and the student as one and the same: a great student is the master's master, an idea which was in place in the western world after the French Revolution. This concept of a democratic society was in place in Sikhism as early as the 17th century.

Sikhism teaches that all of humanity was created by the same God, who has many names and many forms. Sikhism teaches to respect all other religions (tolerant) and that one should defend the rights of not just one's own religion, but the religion and faith of others, as a human right. The end of every Sikh prayer is a prayer to help all of humanity.

Sikhism believes in the Human Soul (Self (spirituality) or consciousness or spirit or astral body). Sikhs believe they can unite and become one with God in this life, as the consciousness merges with God (Supreme Consciousness) through truthful living and actions. Sikhs always greet each other with the words "Sat Sri Akaal" which literally means "Truth is Immortal". Truth, Truthful living, Equality, Freedom and Justice are really the core principles of Sikh philosophy.

Guru Gobind Singh infused a new spirit into the community by creating the Khalsa brotherhood - or the pure brotherhood. Khalsa Sikhs do not cut their hair kesh, this being covered with a turban: every human hair follicle has a nerve attached, and they avoid removal of any organ whose functionality is not fully understood, as it may be a spiritual organ. The idea is that humans are made in the image of God, to honor God. Thus a person's intact hair is a symbol of honor, warriorhood, saintliness and radiance/aura and an acceptance of the natural form of our bodies, allowing believers to be at peace with themselves at all times and to get rid of Vanity relating to outward appearance.

Wearing a turban and a distinct identity also made the Sikhs very easily recognizable and in periods of extreme religious persecution by the Mughal rulers, Sikhs were repeatedly massacred in large number. Sikh history is built on examples of brave men and women who defended an ideology built on the fundamentals of human rights and equality of all human beings. For more than 300 years the Sikhs were persecuted endlessly. The Sikh human rights struggle morphed into a political struggle which was one of the dominant causes of the fall of the Mughal empire in India and led to the formation of the strongest kingdom in India before being annexed by the British in 1849. Yet at the peak of their political power the Sikhs under the great Maharaja Ranjit Singh had a large powerful kingdom which was also secular and egalitarian. His capital was Lahore.

An example of Sikhism's commitment to tolerance is the fact that the foundation stone of the holiest shrine of the Sikhs—Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar also known as the Golden Temple—was laid not by the many eminent Sikh leaders or the 4th Sikh Guru Ramdas who was the leader of the Sikhs at that time, but by a Muslim Saint by the name of Pir Mian Mir.

The Sikh movement started during turbulent periods in the history of empires of India, one of which was the Mughal empire which projected Law and order from an Islamic viewpoint onto a majority Hindu Society where the existence of Buddhism had been wiped out. Sikhism has parallels with the Bhagati (Bhakti) movement, mysticism and Sufism.[citation needed]

Khalsa Sikhism strictly forbids the use of intoxicants, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, narcotics and any other foreign substance which disrupts the body.

The Sikh religion also teaches human life is very valuable, described as more precious than a diamond which comes after great spiritual deeds and merits are done, to have gone through 8.4 million life cycle of sansara before human life was attained. Therefore the meaning of life from Sikh teachings is to meet God. Sikhs refrain from maya (illusion), false perception of reality where utter truth is only God and everything else is a lie.[citation needed]

Five Ks

Main articles: Khalsa and Sahajdhari
File:CIMG0349.JPG
Kanga, Kara and Kirpan—three of the five articles of faith endowed to the Sikhs.

The Five Ks, or panj kakaar/kakke, are five articles of faith that all baptized Sikhs (also called Khalsa Sikhs) are typically obliged to wear at all times, as commanded by the tenth Sikh Guru, who so ordered on the day of Baisakhi Amrit Sanskar in 1699. The symbols are worn for identification and representation of the ideals of Sikhism, such as honesty, equality, fidelity, militarism, meditating on God, and never bowing to tyranny.[33]

The five symbols are:

  • Kesh (uncut hair, usually tied and wrapped in the Sikh Turban, Dastar.)
  • Kanga (wooden comb, usually worn under the Dastar.)
  • Kachchhera (characteristic shorts, usually white in color.)
  • Kara (iron bracelet, which is a symbol of eternity.)
  • Kirpan (curved sword, comes in different sizes, for example in the UK Sikhs would wear a small sharp dagger whereas in the Punjab Sikhs would wear the traditional curved sword, from one to three feet in length.)

History

Main article: History of Sikhism
A Sikh Empire warrior's battle helmet
Harmandir Sahib
Cheering Sikh pilgrims arriving in Manikaran

Essentially Sikh history, with respect to Sikhism as a distinct political body, can be said to have begun with the martyrdom of the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev in 1606. Sikh distinction was further enhanced by the establishment of the Khalsa (ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ), by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.[34] The evolution of Sikhism began with the emergence of Guru Nanak as a religious leader and a social reformer during the 15th century in Punjab. The religious practice was formalized by Guru Gobind Singh on March 30, 1699. The latter baptised five people from different social backgrounds to form Khalsa. The first five, Pure Ones, then baptized Gobind Singh into the Khalsa fold.[35] This gives Sikhism, as an organized grouping, a religious history of around 400 years.

Generally Sikhism has had amicable relations with other religions. However, during the Mughal rule of India (1556–1707), the emerging religion had strained relations with the ruling Mughals. Hindu Hill rajahs fought frequent battles against Guru Gobind Singh because they were largely opposed to Guru Gobind Singh's casteless principles of religion. Prominent Sikh Gurus were martyred by Mughals for opposing Mughal persecution of minority religious communities.[36] Subsequently, Sikhism militarized to oppose Mughal hegemony. The emergence of the Sikh Empire under reign of the Maharajah Ranjit Singh was characterized by religious tolerance and pluralism with Christians, Muslims and Hindus in positions of power. The establishment of the Sikh Empire is commonly considered the zenith of Sikhism at political level,[37] during this time the Sikh Empire came to include Kashmir, Ladakh, and Peshawar. Hari Singh Nalwa, the Commander-in-chief of the Sikh army along the North West Frontier, took the boundary of the Sikh Empire to the very mouth of the Khyber Pass. The Empire's secular administration integrated innovative military, economic and governmental reforms.

The months leading up to the partition of India in 1947, were marked by heavy conflict in the Punjab between Sikh and Muslims. The effect was the religious migration of Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus from West Punjab, mirroring a similar religious migration of Punjabi Muslims in East Punjab.[38]

The 1960s saw growing animosity and rioting between Sikhs and Hindus in India,[39] as the Sikhs agitated for the creation of a Punjab state based on a linguistic basis similar to that by which other states in India had been created. This had also been promised to the Sikh leader Master Tara Singh by Nehru in return for Sikh political support during the negotiations for Indian Independence.[40] Sikhs obtained the Punjab but not without losing some Punjabi speaking areas to Himachal Pradesh and Harayana and worst of all Chandigarh was made Union Territory and joint capital of Haryana & Punjab. Punjab on November 1, 1966.

Communal tensions arose again in the late 1970s, fueled by Sikh claims of discrimination and marginalization by the secularist dominated Indian National Congress ruling party and the "dictatorial" tactics adopted the then Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.[41] Frank[41] argues that Gandhi's assumption of emergency powers in 1975 resulted in the weakening of the "legitimate and impartial machinery of government" and her increasing "paranoia" of opposing political groups led her to instigate a "despotic policy of playing castes, religions and political groups against each other for political advantage". As a reaction against these actions came the emergence of the Sikh leader Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale who vocalized Sikh sentiment for justice and advocated the creation of a Sikh homeland, Khalistan. This accelerated Punjab into a state of communal violence.[42] Gandhi's 1984 action to defeat Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale led to the attack of the Golden Temple in Operation Bluestar and ultimately led to Gandhi's assassination by her Sikh bodyguards.[42] This resulted in an explosion of violence against the Sikh community in the anti-Sikh riots which resulted in the massacre of thousands of Sikhs throughout India; Khushwant Singh described the actions as being a Sikh pogrom in which he "felt like a refugee in my country. In fact, I felt like a Jew in Nazi Germany".[43] Since 1984, relations between Sikhs and Hindus have reached a rapprochement helped by growing economic prosperity; however in 2002 the claims of the popular right-wing Hindu organization the RSS, that "Sikhs are Hindus" angered Sikh sensibilities.[44] Many Sikhs still are campaigning for justice for victims of the violence and the political and economic needs of the Punjab espoused in the Khalistan movement.

In 1996 the Special Rapporteur for the Commission on Human Rights on freedom of religion or belief, Abdelfattah Amor (Tunisia, 1993–2004), visited India in order to compose a report on religious discrimination. In 1997,[45] Amor concluded, "it appears that the situation of the Sikhs in the religious field is satisfactory, but that difficulties are arising in the political (foreign interference, terrorism, etc.), economic (in particular with regard to sharing of water supplies) and even occupational fields. Information received from nongovernment (sic) sources indicates that discrimination does exist in certain sectors of the public administration; examples include the decline in the number of Sikhs in the police force and the military, and the absence of Sikhs in personal bodyguard units since the murder of Indira Gandhi".[46]

Sikh music and instruments

Sikhs have developed their own instruments: Rabab, Dilruba, Taus, Jori and the Sarinda. The Sarangi was also encouraged by Guru Har Gobind. The Rabaab was first used by Bhai Mardana, as he accompanied Guru Nanak Dev on his journeys. Jori and Sarinda were both designed by Guru Arjan Dev. The Taus was made by Guru Har Gobind, it is said that he heard a peacock singing and wished to create such an instrument that could mimic it sounds, Taus is the Persian word for peacock. The Dilruba was made by Guru Gobind Singh at the request of his Sikhs. They wished for a smaller instrument as the Taus was hard to carry and maintain, due to constant battles. After Japji Sahib all of the shabd in the Guru Granth Sahib are written in raag. The shabd is typically played in accordance with that particular raag. This style of singing is known as Gurmat Sangeet.

When marching into battle, the Sikhs would boost their morale and become psyched. This was called the Ranjit Nagara (Drum of Victory). Nagaras are huge war drums, making a thundering sound. These are huge, about 2 to 3 feet in diameter, and played with two sticks. The special or original Ranjit Nagara, used in past battles, are up to 5 feet across. The thundering beat of the huge drums usually meant that the army was marching into battle. It was also taken into the battle sometimes, the Singhs would raise the Nishan Sahib high, the opposing forces would know the Singhs were coming. While the Singhs spirit was boosting, the opposing forces would be losing morale.

Distribution

Main article: Sikh diaspora
Chart showing India's total Sikh population and their percentage of the total Indian population.

Numbering approximately 27 million worldwide, Sikhs make up 0.39%[47] of the world population, of which approximately 83% live in India. Approximately 76% of all Sikhs live in the northern Indian State of Punjab, where they form a majority (about two thirds) of the population.[48] Substantial communities of Sikhs, i.e. greater than 200,000, live in the Indian States/Union territories of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttaranchal, Assam and Jammu and Kashmir.[49]

Sikh migration from the then British India began in earnest from the 2nd half of the 19th century when the British had completed their annexation of the Punjab.[38] The British Raj preferentially recruited Sikhs in the Indian Civil Service and, in particular, the British Indian Army, which led to migration of Sikhs to different parts of British India and the British Empire.[38] During the era of the British Raj, semiskilled Sikh artisans were also transported from the Punjab to British East Africa to help in the building of railways. After World War II, Sikhs emigrated from both India and Pakistan, most going to the United Kingdom but many also headed for North America. Some of the Sikhs who had settled in eastern Africa were expelled by Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in 1972.[50] Subsequently the main 'push' factor for Sikh migration has been economic with significant Sikh communities now being found in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Malaysia, East Africa, Australia and Thailand.

Map showing world Sikh population areas and historical migration patterns (Est. 2004).[51]

While the rate of Sikh migration from the Punjab has remained high, traditional patterns of Sikh migration, that favored English speaking countries, particularly the United Kingdom has changed in the past decade due to factors such as stricter immigration procedures. Moliner (2006)[52] states that as a consequence of the 'fact' that Sikh migration to the UK had "become virtually impossible since the late 1970s", Sikh migration patterns altered to continental Europe. Italy has now emerged as a fast growing area for Sikh migration,[53] with Reggio Emilia and the Vicenza province being areas of significant Sikh population clusters.[54] The Italian Sikhs are generally involved in areas of agriculture, agro-processing, machine tools and horticulture.[55]

Due primarily to socio-economic reasons, Indian Sikhs have the lowest adjusted decadal growth rate of any major religious group in India, at 16.9% per decade (est. 1991–2001).[56] Johnson and Barrett(2004) estimate that the global Sikh population increases annually by 392,633 Sikhs, i.e. by 1.7% p.a. on 2004 figures,[51] this growth rate takes into account factors such as births, deaths and conversions.

Representation

Sikhs are represented in Indian politics, with the current Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who is the de facto head of the government and wields the supreme authority , including the nuclear button, and the Deputy Chairman of the Indian Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, both hailing from the community. The current Chief-minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal, is a Sikh. Past Sikh politicians in India have included India's first Foreign Minister Sardar Swaran Singh, Giani Zail Singh, the former President of India, Dr. Gurdial Singh Dhillon, Speaker of the Parliament of India. Pratap Singh Kairon, Union minister, famous Sikh Indian independence movement leader and former Chief-minister of Punjab (India).

Prominent politicians of the Sikh Diaspora include the first Asian American to be elected as a Member of United States Congress Dalip Singh Saund,[57] the former mayoress of Dunedin Sukhi Turner, the current UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Parmjit Dhanda MP[58] and the famous first couple to ever sit together in any parliament in the history of commonwealth countries Gurmant Grewal and Nina Grewal, who sought apology by the Canadian Government for the historical Kamagatamaru incident, and the Canadian Shadow Social Development Minister Ruby Dhalla MP. Vic Dhillon, is a famous Sikh Canadian politician and current member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Ujjal Dosanjh was the New Democratic Party Premier of British Columbia from July 2004 through February 2005, and currently serves as a Liberal frontbench MP in Ottawa. In Malaysia, two Sikhs were elected as MPs during the 2008 general elections. The two are Karpal Singh (Bukit Gelugor) and his son Gobind Singh Deo (Puchong). Whereas, two other Sikhs were elected as assemblymen; Jagdeep Singh Deo (Datuk Keramat) and Keshvinder Singh (Malim Nawar).

In the USA, the current Governor-elect for South Carolina is Republican Nikki Haley, who is of Sikh origin.

Sikhs make up 10–15% of all ranks in the Indian Army and 20% of its officers,[59] while Sikhs only forming 1.87% of the Indian population, which makes them over 10 times more likely to be a soldier and officer in the Indian Army than the average Indian.[60] The Sikh Regiment is one of the highest decorated and believed to be the most courageous, powerful and skilled regiment of the Indian Army,[61] with 73 Battle Honours, 14 Victoria Crosses,[62] 21 first class Indian Order of Merit (equivalent to the Victoria Cross),[63] 15 Theatre Honours and 5 COAS Unit Citations besides 2 Param Vir Chakras, 14 Maha Vir Chakras, 5 Kirti Chakras, 67 Vir Chakras and 1596 other gallantry awards. The highest-ranking General in the history of the Indian Air Force is a Punjabi Sikh Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh.[64] Advanced plans by the MOD to raise an Infantry UK Sikh Regiment were scrapped in June 2007 to the disappointment of the UK Sikh community and Prince Charles of Britain.[65]

A Sikh temple, known as Nanaksar Gurudwara, in Alberta, Canada.

Historically, most Indians have been farmers and even today 66% (two-thirds) of Indians are farmers.[66] Indian Sikhs are no different and have been predominately employed in the agro-business, India's 2001 census found that 39% of the working population of Punjab were employed in this sector (less than the Indian average).[67] The success, in the 1960s, of the Green Revolution, in which India went from "famine to plenty, from humiliation to dignity",[68] was based in the Sikh majority state of Punjab which became known as "the breadbasket of India".[69][70] The Sikh majority state of Punjab is also statistically the wealthiest (per capita) with the average Punjabi enjoying the highest income in India, 3 times the national Indian average.[71] The Green Revolution centered upon Indian farmers adapting their farming methods to more intensive and mechanized techniques; note this was aided by the electrification of Punjab, cooperative credit, consolidation of small holdings and the existing British Raj developed canal system.[72] Swedish political scientist, Ishtiaq Ahmad, states that a factor in the success of the Indian green revolution transformation was the "Sikh cultivator, often the Jat, whose courage, perseverance, spirit of enterprise and muscle prowess proved crucial".[73] However not all aspects of the green revolution were beneficial, Indian physicist Vandana Shiva[74] argues that the green revolution essentially rendered the "negative and destructive impacts of science [i.e. the green revolution] on nature and society" invisible; thus having been separated from their material and political roots in the science system, when new forms of scarcity and social conflict arose they were linked not to traditional causes but to other social systems e.g. religion. Hence Shiva argues that the green revolution was a catalyst for communal Punjabi Sikh and Hindu tensions; despite the growth in material affluence.

Punjabi Sikhs feature in varied professions such as scientists, engineers and doctors; notable Punjabi Sikhs include nuclear scientist Professor Piara Singh Gill who worked on the Manhattan project; optics scientist ("the father of fibre optics") Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany; physicist and science writer/broadcaster Simon Singh and agricultural scientist Professor Baldev Singh Dhillon.

In the sphere of business, the clothing retailers/brands of UK based New Look and Thai based JASPAL[75] were started by Sikhs. India's largest pharmaceutical company Ranbaxy Laboratories is headed by Sikhs.[76] UK Sikhs have the highest percentage of home ownership, at 82%, out of all UK religious communities.[77] UK Sikhs are the 2nd wealthiest (after the Jews) religious community in the UK, with a median total household wealth of £229, 000.[78] In Singapore, Kartar Singh Thakral has built up his family's trading business, Thakral Holdings/Corp,[79] into a commercial concern with total assets of close to $1.4 billion. Thakral is Singapore's 25th richest person. Bob Singh Dhillon is the first Indo-Canadian billionaire and a Sikh. Perhaps no Sikh diaspora group has had as much success as those who have migrated to North America; especially the Sikhs who have migrated to California’s fertile Central Valley. The farming skills of the Sikhs and their willingness to work hard, ensured that they rose from humble migrant labourers to become landowners who control much of agriculture in California. Today American Sikh agriculturists such as Harbhajan Singh Samra and Didar Singh Bains dominate Californian agriculture and are known colloquially as the "Okra" and "Peach" kings respectively.

Prominent Sikh intellectuals, sportsmen and artists include the veteran writer Khushwant Singh, England cricketer Monty Panesar, former 400 m world record holder Milkha Singh, and Harbhajan Singh, India's most successful off spin Cricket bowler, actors Parminder Nagra, Namrata Singh Gujral, Archie Panjabi and director Gurinder Chadha.

The Sikhs have migrated to most parts of the world and their vocations are as varied as their appearances. The Sikh community of the Indian subcontinent comprises many diverse sets of peoples as the Sikh Gurus preached for ethnic and social harmony. These include different ethnic peoples, tribal and socio-economic groups. Main groupings (i.e. over 1,000 members) include:Ahluwalia, Arain, Arora, Bhatra Sikhs(Roudh), Bairagi, Bania, Basith, Bawaria, Bazigar, Bhabra, Brahman, Chamar, Chhimba, Darzi, Dhobi, Gujar, Jatt, Jhinwar, Kahar, Kamboj, Khatri, Kumhar, Labana, Lohar, Mahtam, Mazhabi, Megh, Mirasi, Mochi, Nai, Rajput, Ramgharia, Saini, Sarera, Sikligar, Sunar, Sudh, Tarkhan and Zargar.[citation needed] In India, the Jatt ethnic grouping is by far the largest at a population of 11,855,000 followed by the Mazhabi at 2,701,000 with the Tarkhans totaling 1,091,000 the Sikh Rajputs 769,000[80] and the khatris 290,000.[81] The Ahluwalia, Khatris, Jatts, Lohars, Kambojas, Gujjars, Rajputs and Ramgarhias are related to each other and are of Indo-Scythian origin as well as mythological Aryan race origin.

There has also emerged a specialized group of Punjabi Sikhs calling themselves Akalis, which have existed since Maharaja Ranjit Singh's time. Under their leader General Akali Phula Singh, in the early 19th century, they won many battles for the Sikh Empire.

Sikh paintings

Sikh painting is a direct offshoot of the Kangra School of painting. In 1810 Maharaja Ranjeet Singh (1780–1839) occupied Kangra Ford and appointed Sardar Desa Singh Majithia as his Governor of the Punjab Hills. In 1813 the Sikh army occupied Haripur Guler and Raja Bhup Singh became a vassal of Sikh Power. With the Sikh Kingdom of Lahore becoming the paramount power, some of the Pahari painters from Guler migrated to Lahore to enjoy the patronage of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh and his Sardars.

The Sikh School of paintings is the adoption of the Kangra Kalam to Sikh needs and ideals. Its main subjects are the ten Sikh gurus and anecdotes from the Janam Sikh. The tenth Guru, Gobind Singh, left a deep impression on the adherents of the new faith because of his reckless bravery and unparalleled sacrifices. Hunting scenes and portraiture are also common in Sikh painting.

Digital Library

Launched in 2003 under Nanakshahi Trust, the Panjab Digital Library was a result of the early phase of the digital revolution in Punjab. While most saw the Nanakshahi as a small digitization organization, or as an assemblage of some unknown youth working towards capturing some manuscripts on their digital cameras, its founders saw it as a cornerstone of a fundamentally new approach to preserving Punjab’s heritage for future generations. In the shadow of search engines, a Semantic Web approach thought of in the early 2003 reached maturity in 2006. This was when the organization planned to expand its operations from a mere three employee organization to one of the leading NGO’s working in the field of digital preservation all over India.

Digitized collections include manuscripts held by the Punjab Languages Department, items from the Government Museum and Art Gallery Chandigarh, Chief Khalsa Diwan, SGPC, DSGMC and manuscripts in the Jawahr Lal Nehru Library of Kurukshetra University. It also include hundreds of personal collections. With over 5 million pages digitized it is the biggest repository of digital data on Punjab.

Sikhs in the Indian and British Armies

Main article: Sikhs in the Indian and British Armies
French postcard depicting the arrival of 15th Sikh Regiment in France during World War I. The postcard reads, "Gentlemen of India marching to chasten the German hooligans".

By the advent of World War I, Sikhs in the British Indian Army totaled over 100,000, i.e. 20% of the British Indian Army. In the years to 1945, 14 Victoria Crosses were awarded to the Sikhs, a per capita record given the size of the Sikh Regiments.[62] In 2002, the names of all Sikh VC and George Cross winners were inscribed on the pavilion monument of the Memorial Gates[82] on Constitution Hill next to Buckingham palace, London.[83] Lieutenant Colonel Chanan Singh Dhillon was instrumental in campaigning for the memorial building.

During World War I, Sikh battalions fought in Egypt, Palestine, Mesopotamia, Gallipoli and France. Six battalions of the Sikh Regiment were raised in World War II, and served at El Alamein and in Burma, Italy and Iraq, winning 27 battle honours.

Across the world, Sikhs are commemorated in Commonwealth cemeteries.[84]

"In the last two world wars 83,005 turban wearing Sikh soldiers were killed and 109,045 were wounded. They all died or were wounded for the freedom of Britain and the world, and during shell fire, with no other protection but the turban, the symbol of their faith."

— General Sir Frank Messervy[85]

"British people are highly indebted and obliged to Sikhs for a long time. I know that within this century we needed their help twice [in two world wars] and they did help us very well. As a result of their timely help, we are today able to live with honour, dignity, and independence. In the war, they fought and died for us, wearing the turbans."

— Sir Winston Churchill[86]

Sikhism in the Western world

Sikhs celebrating Sikh new year in Toronto, Canada

As Sikhs wear turbans (although different from Middle Eastern turbans) and due to the relatively small number of Sikhs, there have been incidents of Sikhs in Western countries being mistaken for Middle Eastern Muslim men. This has led to mistaken attitudes and acts against Sikhs living in the west especially with respect to the 9/11 terrorist attack and recent Iraq War conflict.[87][88]

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, some people associated Sikhs with terrorists or members of the Taliban. A few days after the attack, Balbir Singh Sodhi, a Sikh man, was gunned down by Frank Roque, who thought that the victim had ties to al-Qaeda. CNN suggests that there has been an increase in hate crimes against Sikh men in the United States and the UK.[87][88]

Sikhism has never actively sought converts, thus the Sikhs have remained a relatively ethnically homogeneous group.[citation needed] However, mainly due to the activities of Harbhajan Singh Yogi via his Kundalini Yoga focused 3HO (Happy, Healthy, Holy) Organization, Sikhism has witnessed a moderate growth in non-Indian adherents.[89] In 1998 it was estimated that these 3HO Sikhs, known colloquially as ‘gora’ (ਗੋਰਾ) or ‘white’ Sikhs, totaled 7,800[90] and were mainly centered around Española, New Mexico and Los Angeles, California. Recently, a law in Oregon was passed banning the wearing of turbans by teachers and government officials. Sikhs and the Council on American-Islamic Relations are working together to overturn the law.

Art and culture

Main article: Sikh art and culture
Harmindar Sahib, circa 1870

Sikh art and culture is synonymous with that of the Punjab region. The Punjab itself has been called India’s melting pot, due to the confluence of invading cultures, such as Greek, Mughal and Persian, that mirrors the confluence of rivers from which the region gets its name. Thus Sikh culture is to a large extent informed by this synthesis of cultures.

Sikhism has forged a unique form of architecture which Bhatti describes as being "inspired by Guru Nanak’s creative mysticism" such that Sikh architecture "is a mute harbinger of holistic humanism based on pragmatic spirituality".[91] The reign of the Sikh Empire was the single biggest catalyst in creating a uniquely Sikh form of expression, with Maharajah Ranjit Singh patronising the building of forts, palaces, bungas (residential places), colleges, etc that can be said to be of the Sikh Style. Characteristics of Sikh architecture are gilded fluted domes, cupolas, kiosks and stone lanterns with an ornate balustrade on square roofs. The "jewel in the crown" of the Sikh Style is the Harmindar Sahib.

Sikh culture is heavily influenced by militaristic motifs, with Khanda being the most obvious; thus it is no surprise that the majority of Sikh artifacts, independent of the relics of the Gurus, have a military theme. This motif is again evident in the Sikh festivals of Hola Mohalla and Vaisakhi which feature marching and practicing displays of valor respectively.

The art and culture of the Sikh diaspora has been merged with that of other Indo-immigrant groups into categories such as 'British Asian', 'Indo-Canadian' and 'Desi-Culture'; however there has emerged a niche cultural phenomenon that can be described as 'Political Sikh'.[92] The art of prominent diaspora Sikhs such as Amarjeet Kaur Nandhra & Amrit and Rabindra Kaur Singh ('The Singh Twins'),[93] is informed by their Sikhism and the current affairs of the Punjab.

Bhangra and the Gidha are two forms of indigenous Punjabi folk dancing that have been appropriated, adapted and pioneered by Punjabi Sikhs. The Punjabi Sikhs have championed these forms of expression all over the world, such that Sikh culture has become inextricably linked to Bhangra, even though "Bhangra is not a Sikh institution but a Punjabi one."[94]

  • Illuminated Guru Granth folio with nisan (Mool Mantar) of Guru Gobind Singh. Collection of Takht Sri Harimandir Sahib, Patna
    Illuminated Guru Granth folio with nisan (Mool Mantar) of Guru Gobind Singh. Collection of Takht Sri Harimandir Sahib, Patna
  • A frontispiece to the Dasam Granth
    A frontispiece to the Dasam Granth
  • The Bardari of Ranjit Singh, built in the Hazuri Bagh
    The Bardari of Ranjit Singh, built in the Hazuri Bagh
  • Gateway of the Ram Bagh, North-East of Amritsar; built by Maharajah Ranjit Singh
    Gateway of the Ram Bagh, North-East of Amritsar; built by Maharajah Ranjit Singh

Notable Sikhs in the modern era

File:Udham.jpg
Indian revolutionary Udham Singh

Decorated Punjabi Sikhs in the military

File:Victoria Cross Medal Ribbon & Bar.jpg
The Victoria Cross, awarded for exceptional valour "in the face of the enemy"

Other notable decorated Sikh soldiers

References and notes

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Further reading

  • The Sikhs In History: A Millennium Study by Sangat Singh, Noel Quinton King. New York 1995. ISBN 81-900650-2-5
  • A History of the Sikhs: Volume 1: 1469–1838 by Khushwant Singh. Oxford India Paperbacks (January 13, 2005). ISBN 0-19-567308-5
  • The Sikhs by Patwant Singh. Image (July 17, 2001). ISBN 0-385-50206-0
  • The Sikhs of the Punjab by J. S. Grewal. Published by Cambridge University Press (October 28, 1998). ISBN 0-521-63764-3.
  • The Sikhs: History, Religion, and Society by W.H. McLeod. Published by Columbia University Press (April 15, 1989). ISBN 0-231-06815-8
  • The Sikh Diaspora: Tradition and Change in an Immigrant Community (Asian Americans — Reconceptualizing Culture, History, Politics) by Michael Angelo. Published by Routledge (September 1, 1997). ISBN 0-8153-2985-7

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