List of Sikhs
Appearance
Sikh (/ˈsiːk/ or /ˈsɪk/; Punjabi: ਸਿੱਖ, sikkh IPA: [ˈsɪkkʰ]) is the title and name given to an adherent of Sikhism. The term has its origin in the Sanskrit term śiṣya, meaning "disciple, learner" or śikṣa, meaning "instruction".
Historical importance to Sikh religion
- Mai Bhago ( ਮਾਈ ਭਾਗੋ )[1] is one of the most famous women in Sikh history. She is always pictured on horseback wearing a turban with her headscarf gracefully flowing in the wind, courageously leading an army into battle. A staunch Sikh by birth and upbringing, she was distressed to hear in 1705 that some of the Sikhs of her village who had gone to Anandpur to fight for Guru Gobind Singh had deserted him under adverse conditions. She rallied the deserters, persuading them to meet the Guru and apologize to him. She led them back to Guru Gobind Singh Ji in the battlefield at Muktsar (Khidrana) Punjab. She thereafter stayed on with Guru Gobind Singh as one of his bodyguards, in male attire. After Guru Gobind Singh left his body at Nanded in 1708, she retired further south. She settled in Jinvara, where, immersed in meditation, she lived to an old age.
- Mata Khivi ( ਮਾਤਾ ਖੀਵੀ ) (1506–1582) is the only woman mentioned in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. She was the wife of Guru Angad, and established the langar system, a free kitchen where all people were served as equals. Only the best possible ingredients were used, and everyone was treated with utmost courtesy. Her hospitality has been emulated over the centuries and has become the first cultural identity of the Sikhs. She helped her husband to establish the infant Sikh community on a stronger footing, and is described as good natured, efficient, and beautiful.
- Bhai Gurdas ( ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ ) (1551–1637) is one of the most eminent literary personalities in the history of the Sikh religion. He was a brilliant scholar, poet and the scribe of the Adi Granth. He was an able missionary and an accomplished theologian. Being well versed in Indian religious thought, he was able to elaborate profoundly the tenets of Sikhism.
- Bhagat Puran Singh( ਭਗਤ ਪੁਰਨ ਸਿੰਘ )(1904–1992) was a great visionary, an accomplished environmentalist and a symbol of selfless service to humanity. He was the founder of the All India Pingalwara charitable society which imparts service to the poor, downtrodden, the dying, and the mentally and physically handicapped people.
- Hazrat Mian Mir ( ਹਜਰਤ ਮੀਆਂ ਮੀਰ ) (c. 1550 – August 11, 1635) popularly known as Mian Mir is a famous Sufi saint who resided in Lahore, specifically in the town of Begampura (in present-day Pakistan). He belonged to the Qadiri order of Sufism. He is famous for being a spiritual instructor of Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. He is identified as the founder of the Main Khail branch of the Qadiri order.
Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, often visited Lahore, the birthplace of his father (the fourth Guru, Guru Ram Das) to meet his relatives. On the occasion of one of these visits, he called on Mian Mir. The two men of God met and became lifelong friends. Mian Mir was thirteen years older than Guru Arjan.
- Bhai Mardana ( ਭਾਈ ਮਰਦਾਨਾ )(1459–1534) was of the Muslim faith and a long term companion of the Sikh founder guru, Nanak throughout his extensive journeys across the India and abroad. He was son of a Mirasi (a professional group of genealogists) born to the couple, Badra and Lakkho, of Talvandi Rai Bhoe, now Nankana Sahib, in Sheikhupura district of Pakistan. Mardana came to Guru Nanak to seek help because many members of his family were passing on at a young age. Guru Nanak Dev ji told him not to worry and that his family members will no longer pass before their time hence the name "mar-da-na" meaning 'will not die' (in Punjabi) was given to Bhai Mardana.
- Sri Chand ( ਸ੍ਰੀ ਚੰਦ )(1494–1629) [2]) was the first son of Guru Nanak, raised by his sister. Sri Chand was a renounciate yogi. After his father left Sri Chand stayed in Dera Baba Nanak and maintained Guru Nanak's temple. He established the Udasi order who travelled far and wide to spread the Word of Nanak.
Entertainment
Bollywood
- Abhay Deol
- Amrita Singh
- Bobby Deol
- Minissha Lamba
- Nimrat Kaur
- Pamela Chopra
- Arjun Rampal
- Charmy Kaur(Telugu movies)
- Dara Singh
- Dharmendra
- Geeta Bali (Harikirtan Kaur)
- Gracy Singh
- Gulzar
- I. S. Johar
- Jagjit Singh
- Jaspal Bhatti
- Jimmy Shergill
- Kabir Bedi
- Kanwaljit Singh
- Kirron Kher
- Kulraj Randhawa
- Mahek Chahal
- Mandira Bedi
- Mangal Dhillon
- Manmeet Singh
- Neetu Singh (Harneet Kaur)
- Poonam Dhillon
- Priya Gill
- Ranbir Kapoor(Sikh mother)
- Ranjeeta Kaur
- Simi Garewal
- Sukhwinder Singh
- Sunny Deol
- Swaran Lata
- Parminder Gill
- Vikram Chatwal
- Vindu Dara Singh
- Yogita Bali
Hollywood
Singers and musicians
Pop and western Bhangra
- B21 (Bally and Bhota Jagpal)
- Bally Sagoo
- Gippy Grewal
- Amrinder Gill
- Jassi Gill
- Hardy Sandhu
- Garry Sandhu
- Jaz Dhami
- Diljit Dosanjh
- Bobby Friction
- Dr. Zeus
- Hard Kaur
- Honey Singh
- Jas Mann, Babylon Zoo
- Jay Sean[11][12]
- Jazzy B
- Juggy D[13]
- Navtej Singh Rehal of Bombay Rockers
- Panjabi MC
- Rishi Rich[14][15]
- Sahotas
- Sukhbir
- Taz
Bhangra and other Punjabi folk
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Gurdas_Maan1.jpg/100px-Gurdas_Maan1.jpg)
- Amar Singh Chamkila
- Amrinder Gill
- Asa Singh Mastana
- Babbu Mann
- Balkar Sidhu
- Daler Mehndi
- Gippy Grewal
- Gurdas Mann
- Harbhajan Mann
- Harshdeep Kaur
- Jagmeet Bal
- Kamal Heer
- Kuldeep Manak
- Lal Chand Yamla Jatt
- Lehmber Hussainpuri
- Malkit Singh
- Manmohan Waris
- Mika Singh
- Parminder Gill Barnala
- Rabbi Shergill
- Ravinder Grewal
- Sangtar
- Snatam Kaur
- Sukhwinder Singh
- Surinder Kaur
- Surinder Shinda
- Surjit Bindrakhia
- Uttam Singh
Indian revolutionaries and freedom fighters
- Baba Gurdit Singh
- Baba Gurmukh Singh
- Baldev Singh
- Bhagat Singh, also known as "Shaheed-e-Azam",[16] later converted to Atheism.[17]
- Bhai Parmanand
- Captain Mohan Singh
- Gurdan Saini
- Harnam Singh
- Kartar Singh Sarabha[18][19]
- Labh Singh Saini
- Ram Singh
- Teja Singh Samundri
- Udham Singh[20]
Politicians
India
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Manmohansingh04052007.jpg/100px-Manmohansingh04052007.jpg)
- Amarinder Singh
- Baldev Singh
- Buta Singh ex home minister
- Darbara Singh
- Giani Zail Singh, former President of India
- Gurcharan Singh Tohra
- Gurdial Singh Dhillon
- Harkishan Singh Surjeet
- Manmohan Singh,[21] Former Prime minister of India
- Master Tara Singh
- Montek Singh Ahluwalia,[22][23][24] Deputy Chairman, Planning commission of India
- Parkash Singh Badal
- Pratap Singh Bajwa
- Pratap Singh Kairon
- Rajinder Kaur Bhattal
- Sant Fateh Singh
- Sardar Ujjal Singh, former Governor of Punjab and Tamil Nadu [25]
- Sardul Singh Caveeshar
- Simranjit Singh Mann
- Sukhminderpal Grewal
- Surinder Singh Bajwa
- Surjit Singh Barnala
- Swaran Singh
- Varinder Singh Bajwa
Canada
- Gurbax Singh Malhi – First Ever Turbaned Politician To Be Elected Anywhere In The Western World
- Amrit Mangat – Liberal MPP, Brampton
- Gulzar Singh Cheema – Manitoba and British Columbia Former MLA
- Gurmant Grewal – former Conservative MP, half (with Nina, listed below)
- Hardial Bains – founder and leader of the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada from 1970–1997
- Harinder Takhar – Ontario Liberal MPP and Minister of Transportation
- Harry Bains – British Columbia New Democratic
- Herb Dhaliwal – Former Liberal MP and the first Indo-Canadian cabinet minister
- Jagmeet Singh – Ontario NDP MPP
- Kuldip Singh Kular – Ontario Liberal MPP
- Moe Sihota – former British Columbia NDP MLA and television host
- Navdeep Bains – FormerLiberal Member of Parliament
- Nina Grewal – Conservative MP, half (with Gurmant) of the first married couple to serve as MPs in the same session of Parliament
- Raminder Gill – former Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP
- Ruby Dhalla – Former Liberal MP
- Sukh Dhaliwal – Former Liberal MP
- Ujjal Dosanjh Former Liberal MP and Former NDP Premier of British Columbia
- Vic Dhillon – Ontario Liberal MPP
Malaysia
- Gobind Singh Deo- Democratic Action Party Central Executive Committee, Current Member of Parliament
New Zealand
- Kanwal Singh Bakshi, Member of Parliament from 2008 (first Indian and first Sikh MP in New Zealand)
- Sukhi Turner, Mayor of Dunedin 1995-2005
United Kingdom
- Indarjit Singh, non-party political life peer
- Marsha Singh, Labour MP
- Parmjit Dhanda, Labour MP
- Parmjit Singh Gill, Liberal Democrats
- Paul Uppal, Conservative MP
United States
- Bhagat Singh Thind
- Dalip Singh Saund, First Indian Congress U.S. Representative from 1957 to 1963
- G. B. Singh
- Harry Sidhu
- Kashmir Gill
- Martin Hoke, U.S. Representative from 1993 to 1997
- Preet Bharara
- Uday Singh Taunque
Athletes
Athletics
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Milkha_Singh.jpg/220px-Milkha_Singh.jpg)
- Milkha Singh,[26][27][28][29] popularly known as flying Sikh
- Gurbachan Singh Randhawa
- Kamaljeet Sandhu
- Fauja Singh,[30] a 100-year old marathon runner
Boxing
- Andrew Kooner, Current Bantamweight Champion of Canada
- Akaash Bhatia
Cycling
- Alexi Grewal,Olympic Gold medalist[31][32] (1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles)
Cricket
- Balwinder Sandhu
- Bhupinder Singh snr
- Bishan Singh Bedi, former captain of Indian cricket team
- Gursharan Singh
- Harbhajan Singh
- Harvinder Singh[33]
- Mandeep Singh
- Maninder Singh
- Manpreet Gony
- Monty Panesar,[34] member of English cricket team
- Navjot Singh Sidhu, former cricketer and current member of parliament
- Ravi Bopara,[35] member of English cricket team
- Reetinder Sodhi
- Sarandeep Singh
- Shikhar Dhawan
- Simranjit Singh
- Sunny Sohal
- V. R. V. Singh
- Yograj Singh
- Yuvraj Singh
Equestrian
- Amarinder Singh
- Sehaj Singh Virk Indian equestrian
Football
Association football
Golf
- Jeev Milkha Singh[37] (son of Milkha Singh[38]
- Jyoti Randhawa[39]
- Arjun Atwal[39]
- Gaganjeet Bhullar[39]
- Ashbeer Saini India's No.1 Junior Golfer
Hockey
- Ajit Pal Singh
- Baljeet Singh Saini
- Baljit Singh Dhillon
- Balwant (Bal) Singh Saini, British hockey international
- Gagan Ajit Singh
- Garewal Singh
- Gurdev Singh Kullar (field hockey)
- Jugraj Singh, India's best drag flicker ever
- Kulbir Bhaura, Hockey Player, Gold Medalist- Seoul Olympics 1988
- Pargat Singh
- Prabhjot Singh
- Prithipal Singh
- Ramandeep Singh
Mixed martial arts
Muay Thai
- Kash Gill, Former Four-time World Champion
Powerlifting
- Rajinder Singh Rahelu, Sikh paralympian and also 2004 Athens bronze medalist
Rugby
Shooting
- Abhinav Bindra,[39][40][41][42] Olympic gold medalist
- Avneet Sidhu – Commenwealth Games medalist
- Manavjit Singh Sandhu - World champion
Swimming
- Pamela Rai 1984 Olympic bronze medal, 1986 Commonwealth Games gold medal
Wrestling
- Dara Singh
- Tiger Jeet Singh[43][44][45]
- Gurjit Singh
- Jinder Mahal
- Ranjin Singh
- Gadowar Singh Sahota
- Arjan Bhullar Olympic Wrestler
Business
- Ajay Banga, President & COO- MasterCard, Ex CEO- Citi Group- Asia Pacific
- Analjit Singh,Founder & chairman of Max India Limited, chairman of Max New York Life Insurance Company Limited; Max Healthcare Institute Limited and Max Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited
- Dyal Singh Majithia Indian banker
- Gurbaksh Chahal[46]
- H. S. Bedi (entrepreneur) Telecom
- Jay Sidhu, Former Chairman and CEO of Sovereign Bancorp
- Jessie Singh Saini, founder of BJS Electronics and notable American industrialist of Indian descent.
- Jojar S Dhinsa
- M S Banga, Ex-CEO – Hindustan Lever, Director on Board- Maruti Udyog Limited
- Malvinder Mohan Singh, Ranbaxy/Fortis Group
- Mohan Singh Oberoi[47]
- Sanjiv Sidhu, Founder and President of i2 Technologies
- Sant Singh Chatwal,[48] owner of the Bombay Palace chain of restaurants and Hampshire Hotels & Resorts
- Satwant Singh, Le Meridien Hotel, DSS Enterprises, Pure Drink
- Shivinder Mohan Singh, Ranbaxy/Fortis Group
- Tom Singh Founder, New Look fashion chain
- Vikram Chatwal, Hotelier
Historians
- Rattan Singh Bhangu Author of Pranchin Panth Parkash, the first compiled book of Sikh history.
Journalists
Writers
Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu
- Bhai Gurdas
- Nanak Singh
- Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha
- Bhai Vir Singh
- Rajinder Singh Bedi
- Jaswant Neki
- Rupinderpal Singh Dhillon
- Harbhajan Singh
- Jaswant Singh Kanwal
- Amrita Pritam, She was also freedom fighter for India
- Dalip Kaur Tiwana
- Kulwant Singh Virk Wrote extensively in English as well
English
Models
Humanitarian activists
- Narinder Singh Kapany,[49][50] Worked with optical fibers
- Bhagat Puran Singh,[51][52] founder of Pingalwara, Home of Disabled, Amritsar
- Bhai Trilochan Singh Panesar, Devoted his life to sewa (service to community and God) and simran (remembrance of God), the two tenets of Sikh life.
Painters and artists
Military leaders
- Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, Former Chief, Indian Air Force.[55]
- Air Chief Marshal Dilbagh Singh, Former Chief, Indian Air Force.
- Lt. Gen. Bikram Singh, G O C, XV Corps,1960–63
- Lt. Gen. J.S. Aurora, Army Commander, Eastern Command, 1971
- Flying officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, only Indian Air Force officer to be awarded Param Vir Chakra. India's highest military decoration.
- Joginder Singh Sahnan, winner of the Param Vir Chakra
- Gurmukh Singh Saini, Sikh soldier during World War I, winner of Cross of St. George and Indian Order of Merit . This medal was equivalent to British Victoria Cross, US Medal of Honor, French Legion of Honor or Indian Param Vir Chakra.
- Kartar Singh Taunque, first soldier of Indian Air Force who won a gallantry award
- Uday Singh Taunque, first Indian American to die in Operation Iraqi Freedom
- Havildar Ishar Singh, leader of the contingent of the twenty-one Sikhs from the 36th Sikhs battalion, which made history in Battle of Saragarhi, one of the eight collective stories on bravery published by UNESCO
- Major General Shabeg Singh
- Colonel G. B. Singh, highest rank serviced by a Sikh in U.S. Army
- Major General Ravinder Singh, Current Chief of the Singapore Army
- Wing Commander Kartar Singh Taunque
- General Joginder Jaswant Singh,former Chief, Indian Army, presently Governor of the Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh.
- Dr Jagjit Singh Taunque MBE DL, Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands, UK
- Budh Singh Virk 16th Century Sikh Warrior
References
- ^ Mai Bhago
- ^ Baba Sri Chand
- ^ Biographies – Gurinder Chadha: Bender of Rules. The Sikh Times (2003-03-26). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Gurinder Chadha at the V&A : Sikh Treasures.. SikhNet (2008-07-21). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ The Art and Culture of the Diaspora | Sikh-Briton Filmmaker Gurinder Chadha is Back!. sikhchic.com (2009-05-14). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Press Office – Sikhs and the City. BBC (2004-08-13). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Podcasts – Desi Download. BBC. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ The Art and Culture of the Diaspora | Breaking the Mold: Namrata Singh Gujral. sikhchic.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Namrata Singh Gujral Biography. Perfect People (1976-02-26). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Celebrity Weddings: “ER” Star Parminder Nagra Weds in Traditional Sikh Ceremony. Celebrityweddingbuzz.com (2009-01-29). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Jay Sean Biography. Sing365.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ The first Asian prince of pop. Telegraph (2004-10-28). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Content | Juggy D. DesiParty.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Rishi Rich. Desihits.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Rishi rich. Singh is King.co.uk (2008-12-29). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh. Sikh-history.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ https://www.marxists.org/archive/bhagat-singh/1930/10/05.htm
- ^ Kartar Singh Sarabha. Sikh-history.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Sikh Martyrs – Kartar Singh Sarabha. Searchsikhism.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Shaheed Udham Singh. Sikh-history.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Biographies – Manmohan Singh: Architect of the New India. The Sikh Times (2005-11-14). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Montek Singh Ahluwalia Receives Sikh Of The Year 2008 Award. India-server.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia confirmed for Sikh Forum Annual Dinner. Journalism.co.uk (2008-11-17). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Montek Singh conferred 'Sikh of the Year' 2008 award. SikhNet (2008-11-24). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ "Past Governors". Raj Bhavan, Chennai, Official website.
- ^ Sikh Sports personality Flying Sikh Milkha Singh. Sikh-history.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Milkha Singh. Mapsofindia.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Olympics Special: Milkha Singh on the race of his life. Rediff.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Milkha Singh The Flying Sikh. Sadapunjab.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Biographies – Fauja Singh: "I Run While Talking to God". The Sikh Times (2004-04-19). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Book Reviews – The Many Faces of the Sikh Diaspora. The Sikh Times (2003-06-08). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ The Tribune – Windows – Taking note. Tribuneindia.com (2003-03-08). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ News and Analysis – Harbhajan Apologizes for Letting Hair Down, Slams S.G.P.C. The Sikh Times (2006-10-07). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Monty Panesar Biography. Biographyonline.net. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Ravi Bopara. Cricketnirvana.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Vålerenga Fotball. Vif-fotball.no. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ The 'Flying Sikh' remembers. SikhNet (2008-07-31). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Golf Player's Profile. Jeev Milkha Singh (1971-12-15). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ a b c d Rooting for the turban. Hindustan Times (2010-03-14). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ WSN-Sports News-Sikh shooter wins first ever individual gold for India at Olympics. Worldsikhnews.com (2008-08-11). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Sikhs that shoot. SikhNet (2008-08-13). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Abhinav Bindra won the gold medal. Nriinternet.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ PAGE OF FAME: Tiger Jeet Singh. Garywill.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Tiger Singh: Most feared man in Japan – Rediff Sports. In.rediff.com (2005-05-05). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ SceneandHeard.ca. SceneandHeard.ca. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Advice from young millionaire Gurbaksh Chahal. Sfgate.com (2008-10-26). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ M.S. Oberoi Profile
- ^ Upgrading. Forbes.com (2006-10-27). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Biography of Great Sikh Personality Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany. Sikh-history.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ http://www.sikhpress.com/story/1166
- ^ Read Biography of Bhagat Puran Singh. Sikh-history.com (1904-06-04). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ A Selfless Life – Bhagat Puran Singh of Pingalwara: A Selfless Life – Bhagat Puran Singh of Pingalwara. Sikhfoundation-store.org (2009-06-02). Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Amrita Shergil
- ^ Amrita Sher-Gill. Mapsofindia.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.
- ^ Marshal Arjan Singh. Mapsofindia.com. Retrieved on 2010-12-14.