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I
UNIT 23 SIKHISM
Structure

23.0 Objectives
1
23.1 Introduction
23.2 The Origin and Growth of Sikhism
23.2.1 Sociocultural Context
23.2.2 Guru Nanak's Life and Message
23.3 Development of Sikhism
23.3.1 Creation of New Society
23.3.2 Development of Sikhism
23.4 Sikh Worship and Rituals
23.4.1 The Worship Pattern
23.4.2 Life Cycle Rituals
23.4.3 Baptism Among the Sikhs
23.5 Sikh Code of Conduct and Reform Movements
23.5.1 Code of Conduct
23.5.2 Movements of Socio-Religious Reform
23.5.3 Impact on Indian Society
23.6 Let Us Sum Up
23.7 Key Words
23.8 Further Readings
23.9 Answers to Check Your Progress

23.0 OBJECTIVES
This unit deals with Sikhism, its religious belief system and development and
functioning as a rdligious society in India. After reading this unit you should be able
to

explain the socio-cultural background of the emergence of Sikhism

describe the model of Sikh society as shown by Guru Nanak
discuss the development of Sikhism over a period of time
explain the pattern of worship and ritual life among the Sikhs
/
analyse the broad features of the religious reform movements as emerged in

23.1 INTRODUCTION .

In Unit 19 of ESO-02 we discussed various aspects of the social organisation of

the Sikh society in India. You may like to see that unit before you start reading this
unit on Sikhism. As a student of sociology, you would be interested to know the
sociocultural background on which Sikhism emerged in India, its development and
hctioning. You also would Qe interested to know the reform movements as emerged
in Sikhism. All these aspects are discussed in this unit keeping in view the plurality
of Indian culture. This unit has been written from the socio-historical perspective.
,
,

It beings with a brief discussion on the socio-cultural background from which

Sikhism emerged in India. In the initial section (Section 23.2) we also discuss the
philosophical foundation of Sikhism as depicted in the life and message of Guru
Nanak. Guru Nanak established a model of the Sikh society. We discuss that model
in section 23.3. Sikhism has undergone various stages of development. We discuss
these developments in the context of the arrival of the Gurbs in Sikhism. Sikh
society follows a distinct pattern of worship. They follow distinct rituals and baptisin. 77
 Religious Pluralism-11 We discuss these aspects in section 23.4. Lastly we discuss Sikh code 01 conduct
and movements of religious reforms in Sikhism. Here we discuss only the Nirankari,
Namdhari and the Abali movements briefly as examples for your understanding.
I

23.2 THE ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF SIKHISM

1
In this section we shall deal with the social background of the development of
Sikhism and the belief system around which Sikhism revolves.

23.2.1 Socio-cultural Context

Sikhism was born at a time when there was a growing conflict amongst the two
dominating religious traditions of Hinduism and Islam of India. Guru Nanak the
founder of the Sikh faith is generally depicted as a reconciler of the two conflicting
traditions. This is how the Guru is still fondly remembered in Punjab:

"Nanak Shah Fakir, Hindu Ka guru, Musalman Ka Pir".

(Baba Nanak, the great man of God
The guru of the Hindus and the pir of the Musalmans).

While early chronicles of the Sikhs have generally described this faith as the off-
shoot of the Bhakti movement, some modem Western scholars tend to describe this
as a part of the Indian Sant tradition. Without denying that Guru Nanak and the
movement that he started was greatly influenced by the Bhakti movement in which
he was born, a careful study of the Sikh religion and philosophy shows that it had
distinct features of its own. That is why it developed into a full-fledged religious
movement soon after its birth. This is the reason why in this block, a separate unit
has been devoted for discussing its teachings and their relevance for the followers
of Sikhism in particular and for others in general.

The work Sikh is derived from the Sanskrit word Shishya, meaning disciple or
learner. Thus those who followed Guru Nanak, the founder, came to be known as
the Sikhs. In the Sikh faith reverence for the Guru (Preceptor) is the cardinal
quality and devotion to their teachings a sacred duty. Great emphasis is laid in Sikh
way of life upon practising moral and spiritual values. These values are mainly
related to honesty, sharing and doing away with the distinction of high and lowlrich
and poor.

23.2.2 Guru Nanak's Life and Message

Sikh belief system was founded by Guru Nanak (1469-1539). A precocious child,
Nanak had a deeply meditative cast of mind and hence all attempts to engage him
in wordly pursuits failed. Guru Nanak was a contemporary of three Lodhi rulers -
Babbar Lodhi (1451-1489), Sikandar Lodhi (1489-1517) and Ibrahim Lodhi (151 7-
1526). The Guru also saw the foundation of the Mughal Empire being laid by Babar,
who was succeeded by his son Humayun during the life span of Guru Nanak. In
his hymns Guru Nanak refers to the times and makes pointed references to the
omissions and commissions of the Lodhi and Mughal rulers. Guru Nanak refers to
the army of invaders whom he calls as "crowd of sins in a bridal procession"
demanding the hand of the bridge called India. Right from childhood he was engrossed
in spiritual pursuits. Prevalent hypocracy in the name of religion greatly upset him.
Nanak delighted in serving the poor and needed. A story is told that his father gave
hrm some money and sent him to neighbouring town to do some profitable business.
On the way Nanak met some Sadhus who had not eaten for many days. Nanak
purchased eatables with the money his father gave and eated the hungry Sadhus.
When Nanak's father asked him as to what he had done he replied, that he had
made a "most profitable bargain". On noticing that Nanak was not interested in
 business his father sent him to Sultanpur Lodhi, a town in the Kapurthala District Sikhism
of Punjab. Here Nanak was employed as a storekeeper by the local ruler. This duty
was discharged by Nanak with great rectitude.

i) Enlightenment of Nanak

It was during his stay in Sultanpur that-Nanak got his enlightenment. According to
popular traditions one morning when Nanak went for a dip in the river Beas flowing
nearby he was absorbed in thoughts of God and, as is narrated by the Biographers,
in this state he was ushered into the Divine Presence. Blessed by the Almighty,
Nanak came out of the rivulet to preach holy name of the God. The first words
that Nanak uttered after his enlightenment were, "There is no Hindu, there is no
Musalman". At a time when Hindus and Muslims were engaged in sectarian
conflicts these words heralded Nanak's new mission of reconciliation of the two.

iii Message of Nanak

Nanak, the Guru was accompanied by a Muslim musician named Mardana on long
journeys to preach his gospel of love and truth. He travelled to different parts of
i India and other countries and visited religious centres of Hindus and Muslims.
Through dialogues he convinced people that good actions alone could ensure
salvation. While in Mecca he was asked who was superior, a Hindu or a Muslim,
to which the Guru replied that without good actions both were of no consequence.
"Truth is high but higher still is tblthful living", said he.
Religious Pluralism-11 The Guru was moved by the sufferings of the population that he could not help
taking even the creator to task:

"Though Khurasitan has been shielded by Thee,

Though terror has struck at the heart of Hindustan,
Thou, 0 Creator of all things,
l'akesi of rhyself no blame;
T o ~ hhath sent Yama disguised as the great Moghal, Babar.
Terrible was the slaughter
Loud were the cries of the larnenters.
Did this not awaken pity in Thee, 0 Lord?
Thou art part and parcel of all things equally, 0 Creator;
Thou must feel for all men and all nations.
If a strong man attack the another who is equally strong;
Where is the grief in this, or whose is the grievance?
But when a fierce tiger preys on the helpless cattle,
The Herdsman must answer for it".

The Guru was particularly moved by the helpless and pitiable condition of the young
women who were reduced to slavery by the invading army and thus described the
condition in one of his hymns:

"The tresses that adorned these lovely heads,

And were parted with vermilion,
Have been shorn with cruel thears:
Dust has been thrown on their shaven heads.
These beauties lent charm to the couches they reclined on,
Now they are dragged away, with ropes round their necks;
Barbarous soldiers have taken them prisoners and disgraced them".

The following hymn of Guru Nanak in Majh-di-Vm best described the time of Guru
Nanak:

"The Kalyug is a dagger, the rulers are butchers;

Dhmma has taken wings and flower away.
/
The dark night of falsehood reigns supreme, and
The moon of truth appears not to have risen anywhere".

, iiii Guru Nanak's Philosophy

Giru Nanak preached strict monotheism and described the Creator as Ikk (one),
without a second. Guru Nanak's philosophy of God is best described in Japji, the
primal creed. His teachinlgs were strictly monotheistic, without scope for the worship
of any deity or human teacher. Contrary to medieval Indian practice of denouncing
the world for spiritual elevation, Guru Nanak believed that the world was worth
living in. "This world is the abode of God and the Tune One lives therein." Guru
Nanak believed that it was possible to live pure among the impurities of life. "As
the lotus like the detached in waters, as the duck floateth care-free on the stream,
so both one cross the Sea of Existence, his mind attuned to the Word. One liveth
detached, Enshriningthe One Lord in the mind, shorn of hope, living in the midst
of hope."

iv) Three Principles of Nanak's Teaching

Guru Nanak's teachings can be summed up on three simple Punjabi words, Naam
Japna, Kirti Kami and Wand Chakna. Translated into English this means "always
remembering God, earning one's livelihood through honest means and sharing the
h i t s one one's labour with others". To practise his teachings of equality Guru
80
/
Nanak started the twin institutions of Sangat and Pangat, emphasizing that all sit Sikhism
in a congregation and while partaking food from the community kitchen should sit
in one line without distinction of high and low or rich and poor.

Check Your Progress 1

i) The work Sikh was derived from the word Shishya originally derived from:

a) Sanskrit
b) Parsi
c) Pali
d) Punjabi

ii) Write a note on enlightenment of Nanak in about six lines.

.....................................................................................................................

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....................................................................................................................

iii) What are the three principles of Guru Nanak's teachings?

23.3 DEVELOPMENT OF SIKHISM

In this sub-section we shall deal with the model of the Sikh society by Guru Nanak
and development of Sikhism over a period of time.

23.3;l Creation of a New Society

, ,

Sociblogically you would be interested to know how a new society is developed

based on religious faith and how it controls the behaviour of its followers. Guru
Nanak helped develop a new society. Let us see how he defined the code of
conduct and behaviour patterns of the member of that society. Towards the last
phase of his life Guru Nanak settled at a small village on the banks of river Ravi
(nqw in Pakistan) and called it Kartarpur, i.e., God's abode. There he worked on
the field and shared his earning wihdhers. A community of disciples grew up at
Kartarpur but it could not be described as monastic o r b . On the other hand, it was
a fellowship of ordinary men and women engaged in normal occupations of life,
earning their livelihood through honest means and sharing the fruit of their labour
with bthers. But what was remarkable about Kartarpur was that this provided a
model of loving which was to become the basis for the development of Sikh society
and Sikh value systems in the days to come. Herein the Guru and his followers got
up before dawn arid after ablutions performed their prayers. The spiritual routine
being over, the Guru and his followers partook the sacred food from the community
kitchen and then attended.to the day's work. In the evening they again assembled
Religious ~luralism-I1 at a common place and performed their evening prayer and shared food. Before
going to bed they all recited Kirtan Sohila, songs of acclaim.

Box 1

The Sikh Gurus laid great emphasis on early rising and remembering God.
This new philosophy of life with its emphasis on early rising, working hard
and always remembering God created a new society in which there could
neither be any exploiters nor exploitation and exploited. The emphasis on
honest living and sharing one's earnings with others laid the foundations of
an egalitarian order. The sikh Gurus brought about a happy union between
the spiritual and temporal domains.

23.3.2 Development of Sikhism

As you saw in he case of other religions that over a period of time various
developments took place in the religious philosophies enriching the content of the
same. Similarly various developments have taken place in Sikhism over a period of
time.

In the processes of these developments various institutions had evolved in Sikhism.

Guru Nanak was followed by cine successive Gums who not only continued his
precepts and ideals but made significant contributions in evolving different institutions
for the Sikh community.

The second Guru, Gum Angad Dev, evolved a distinct script called Gurmukhi
(coming fiom the mouth of the Guru) which became the sole medium for sacred
writings of the Sikhs. It is in this script that the Guru Granth, the holy book of the
Sikhs, is written.

The Third Guru, Guru Amar Dass, strengthened the Sikh movement by starting the
institutions of Manjis and Piris. There are positions which important male and
female Sikh missionaries occupied in their respective areas. For obliterating the
caste distinctions, which then plagued the Indian society, the Gum made it obligatory
for all the visitors to eat in the community kitchen before they could see him. There
is a strong Sikh saying that the contemporary Mughal Emperor Akbar who wgnt
to see the Guru at Goindwal had to eat in Langar while sitting in one line on the'
floor among with his nobles and servants. The Emperor was so much impress6d
by the Gum's strict practice of equality that he donated a village on which the
modem city of Amritsar came up later during the time of the fourth and fifth Sikh
Gurus. The Gum also got many baolis (small tanks) constructed to help his followers
take morning bath which is considered important for purification of body and mind.
The Gum evolved simple and meaningful rituals for the Sikh community.

The Fourth Guru, Gum Ram Dass, laid the foundation of the holy city of Amritsar,
'wMch later developed as the spiritual capital of the Sikh faith. By inviting artisans
and traders and dy encouraging them to settle there the Gum also laid the foundation
of a big trade anb industrial centre which developed around the newly founded city.

, Z ? z e I ; i u r u , Gum Arjun Dev, son and successor of Gum Ram Das, built the
Harmandar, which is popularly known as the Golden Temple and compiled and
installed the Holy Book the Guru Granth, therein.

The Sixth G ~ r u Gum

j Hargobind built Aka1 Takhat, the Throne of the Immortal,
and declared it as the centre of Sikh temporal authority.

The Seventh Guru, Guru Har Rai continued the mission of his predecessors and
82
II appointed the Bhai families of Bagrian and Kaithal to look after the missionary
work.
Sikhism,,

The Eighth Guru, Guru Har Kishan cured the victims of small-pox in Delhi and
is remembered in the daily Sikh prayer as the one whose very sight dispels all
miseries.

The Ninth h i , Guru Teg Bahadur set a unique example of religious freedom by
sacrificing his life for the protection of Tilak, Janju the sacred marks of the Hindu
religion. This is described by the tenth Guru "as a unique event in this age of
Kaliyug". Guru Tegh Bahadur's martyrdom proved to be a turning point in Sikh
history.
I
I
In order to defend dharma, Guru Govind Singh, the tenth and lust of the Sikh
I
Gurus, created the order of the Khalsa. On the Baisakhi day of the year 1699, the
Guru called an assembly of the Sikhs at Anandpur, in the Shivalik hills. While
 Religious pluralism-n addressing a packed audience the Guru demanded the heads of five Sikhs. The five
who offered themselves and were subsequently initiated into the Sikh faith are
popul&ly remembered in the Sikh prayer as the Panj Pime or the five beloved
ones. These five beloved ones came from different directions and belonged to
different traditional Indian castes, three of them belonged to the so called low
castes. After being renamed and each getting the surname of Singh, meaning Lion,
they were enjoined to support the five symbols of the new order - unshorn hair,
a comb, short breeches, a steel bracelet and a sword.

A significant development in the history of the Sikh faith was Guru Gobind Singh
declaring the Guru Granth Sahib, the Holy Book, as the Guru eternal for the Sikhs.
Compiled by Guru Ajun Dev, the Sikh Holy Book is a unique example of ecumenical
spirit of the Sikh faith. The Guru Granth contains 5,894 hymns, the largest number
of them (2,2 16) having been contributed by the fifth Guru himself. Apart from the
hymns of the Sikh Gurus, the Guru Granth also contains the composition of the
Muslim and Hindu saints some of them belonging to the so called lower caste of
the Hindu society. Equal respect to all religions is best demonstrated when the
devout bow before the Holy Book which contains the hymns of saints from different
religious dominations.

Check Your Progress 2

i) Who among the following Gurus laid the foundation of the Holy City of Amritssu?
a) Guru Har Rai
b) Guru Ram Dass
c) Guru Teg Bahadur
i d) Guru Govind Singh
1 ii) Who compiled Gum Granth Sahib, the Holy book of the Sikh?

I! a) Guru Ram Dass

I b) Guru Teg Bahadur

c) Guru Govind Singh
d) Guru Arjun Dev

1) hi) Guru Granth contains the hymns composed by

a) Sikh Gurus exclusively

b) Sikh Gurus and the Hindu Saints only
c) Sikh Gurus and the Muslim Saints only
d) Sikh Gurus and the Hindu and the Muslim Saints.

23.g SIKH WORSHIP AND RITUALS

The Sikhs, follow a distinct pattern of worship. The Sikh Community is centered
around various rituals. In this section we shall discuss the distinct pattern of worship
followed by the Sikhs and few of their life cycle rituals. C

23.4.1 The Worship Pattern

I Against the prevalent Hindu practice of worshipping the idols, The Sikh Guru
advocated worship of Aka1 (Timeless God). The Sikh temple, called Gurudwara,
 is not a mere pjace of worship but also serves as a shelter for the shelterless, iron- Sikhism
fort for &% destitute and refuge for the helpless where all the visitors irrespective
of their religious affiliations are served free food and given shelter and protection.
In the centre of the Gurudwara, Guru Granth, the Holy Book, is installed on a high
pedestal; the idea being that the holy book occupies a place higher than the followers
who sit on the floor. Since complete equality is preached and practised, there is no
special place marked for important persons in the Gurudwara.

There are Gurudwaras in different parts of India, which are historic because of
their association with the Gurus. There are other Gurudwaras throughout the world
wherever there are Sikhs. These are not historic but are built by the followers to
serve as centres for their religious worship attended by large gatherings. The
Nishan Sahib, huge yellow triangular flag, with Sikh symbol of Khanda, marks the -
Sikh religious place.

Visitors from all sections of society can enter the Gurudwara after removing their
shoes and cleaning their feet and covering their head. Doors of the Gurudwara are
open to all communities. It is significant to point out that the famous Golden Temple
at Amritsar has four doors indicating that it is open to all people from all the four
directions and its foundation-stone was laid by a Muslim divine named Mia Mir

23.4.2 Life Cycle Rituals

There are several rituals in the Sikh social life. Let us discuss some of these rituals
briefly.

i)Child Birth

Soon afier a child is born a set of five verses from the Adi Granth is recited.
Unlike Hindu society where women during post-natal period are considered impure
to enter the kitchen for nearly six weeks, in Sikh society a woman can resume her
normal work as soon as she feels physically fit. Significantly, Sikhism rejects the ,
orthodox Hindu Concept of pollution in this regard. It is cgnsidered undesirable to
treat the mother as polluted. Pre and post-natal Hindu practices are simply discarded
in Sikh way of life.

iQ Ceremony of Child Naming

Following the birth of a child in the family there is a naming ceremony generally
performed on the first of Baisakh (traditional Indian New Year and the day of birth
of the Khalsa). This is arranged in the presence of the Holy Book and congregation
either at home or in the Gurudwara. The priest opens the Holy Book at random
and the very first letter of the page is picked up for naming the child, All males
have Singh (lion) and all females Kaur (princess) after their names. It rejects the
1 caste name that signifies hierarchy as found in Hinduism.

iii Marriage Rituals

In the Sikh society marriages are generally arranged by the parents. In some cases
boys or girls find their own partners. But in all cases Sikh marriages aie solemnised
strictly according to prescribed norms wherein the bridegroom and his party called
Barat go to the house of the bride. To begin with there is Milni, a ceremony where
parents and relatives from both sides meet and embrace each other and token gifts
are offered. Later all other friends and relatives are feasted and then all enter
specially arranged Pandal or gurudwara where Anand Karaj (the marriage ceremony)
is performed by the priest with Sikh musicians singing relevant hymns from the
Guru Granth and the couple circumambulating the Holy Book four times in a clock
wise direction. The Lavan, hymns of marriage, convey highest moral and spiritual
i Religious Pluralism-I1 ideals to the couple. The ceremony being over, all join in lunch and then the,
bridegroom and the party re- home along with the bride. Back home the bridy
is received with some ceremonies. There is a great emphasis on simplicity and
dowry is not a precondition in Sikh marriages. Extra-marital love and sex are not
allowed in Sikhism. '90not cast your eyes on the beauty of another's wife. Treat
other women as thy mothers, sisters and daughters" says Guru Nanak.

23.4.3 Baptism Among the Sikhs

From Guru Nanak to the ninth Guru Tegh Bahadur there was a system of initiating
the followers by giving them.Charan-amrit (water touched by the G u d s toe) to
drink. Guru Gobind Singh, the Tenth and the last Guru, changed this to Khande-
da-Pahul (water stirred with double edged sword) which he used when he baptised
the five beloved ones (Panj Piare) on the Baisakhi of 1699 at Anandpur Sahib.
When boys and girls attain puberty and are old enough to understand the obligation6
of their religion they are baptised. The ritual connected with this ceremony is the
same as performed by Guru Gobind Singh while creating the Khalsa. While baptismal
ritual can be performed any time of the year, Baisakhi, the day of the birth of the
Khalsa, is considered most appropriate. It is performed before an assembled
congregation. Five baptised Sikhs are chosen to initiate the new converts. Amrit
(nectar) is prepared by mixing sugar in water and by stirring it with a Khanda
(doubleedged sword) to the recitation of selected passages of the scriptures including
Guru Gobind singh's composition. The initiates then take the vows of the Khalsa
faith. Each vow is read out loudly before the Guru Granth Sahib. Palms full with
arnrit are splashed in the face of the newly initiated Khalsas with the Sikh salutation
of Bole so Nihal and Siri Wahe Guru J i Ka Khdsa Siri Wahe Guru J i Ki Fateh.
Baptised Sikhs, both male and female, have to strictly adhere to the following
symbols:

a) Keshas (Unshaven hair): Sikhs are not supposed to trim, shave or cut any hair on
any part of their body.

b) Kara (wrist-band or iron bangle): All baptised Sikhs are strictly to wear Kara.
Worn on the right wrist this is taken as e#constantreminder that as a Sikh one has
to follow the Sikh code of conduct and perform pious deeds.

c) Kirpan (sword): This literally means "please protect me with thy sword". This
was used as a ready weapon for self defence and for the protection of the meek
aad helpless.

d) Kangha (comb): To keep the long hair neat and tidy. Sikhs are enjoined to keep
Kangha always in their hair-knot. 1

e) Kachha (drawer-underwear) was intended to keep the Khalsa always ready in

the fighting dress and also, means a sign of chastity and strict morals.

Activity1 .

You may be interacting with a number of your Sikh friends or neighbours.

Based on your observation or experience write a one page note on the
rituals the Sikhs as practised in your area. If possible, exchange your note
with other students at the Study Centre.

23.5 SIKH CODE OF CONDUCT AND REFORM

MOVEMENTS
There are significant codes of conduct for the Sikhs.. Sikh society has also b o d 3
II witness to several reform movements. In this section we shall deal with these Sikhism

I
aspects briefly.

23.5.1 Code of Conduct

I
The behaviour patterns of the members of a society are broadly guided by the code
of conduct regulating the behaviour of its followers. The Sikhs are supposed to
follow the code of conduct called Rehat Maryada which has evolved over years.
Among the few don 'ts.are eating Halal meat prepared in the Muslim way, removing
hair from the body, smoking, use of alcohol and adultery.

As mentioned earlier Sikh Gurus condemned the traditional caste system and laid
the foundations of an egalitarian society. Through the institution of Sangat and
Pangat they tried to obliterate the distinctions between the so-called high and low
castes as well as the rich and poor. By placing the hymns of the so-called low-caste
weaver Kabir at par with the so-called high-caste Brahman Ramanand the Sikh
Gurus set a unique example of equality and true spirit of ecumenism. However,
because of the deep-rooted caste prejudices caste system has not fully disappeared
from the Sikh society. While it is true t h ~while
t sitting in the congregation or while
partaking food fiom the community kitchen, (Guru Ka Langar), caste factors are
not taken into consideration, caste still plays a domineering role in deciding matrimonial
alliances and other social relationships. Apart fiom the broad caste divisions such
as Jats, Khatris, ~ A r a sand Ramgarhias, the converts fiom the so-called low-
castes have not yet been fully assimilated in Sikh faith which does not recognise
any caste system. The 'low-castes' remain 'low-castes' and have been given the
separate label of Mahzabi Sikhs. When the Golden Temple and other Sikh shrines
came under the control of the Udasi Mahants they fixed separate visiting hours for
the Mahzabi Sikhs to offer their prayers in the sanctum sanctorum. They had to hire
high-caste attendants to carry their Prasad to be offered in the temple. It was only
during the Akali movements for Gurudwara reform that such restrictions were
removed and control of the Gurudwaras passed on to democratically elected bodies.
In spite of modernisation of the Sikh society inter-caste marriages are rare and
rarer still are tlye examples of so-called high-caste Khatri marrying into the so-
called Mahzabi Sik4 family. Similarly there are divisions at religious and ideological
levels. Some movements of religious reform among the Sikhs such as Nirankari,
Namdhari and Akali, were started to purge Sikhism of unSikh-life practices.

I 23.5.2 Movements of Socio-Religious Reform

There have been several religious r e f o h movements among the Sikhs to eradicate
the above mentioned evils. These movements led to the development of various
! sects in Sikhism. In this section we shall be discussing only two to three socio-
religious movements.

i) The ~irankariMovement

The first traces of differentiation of the Sikh faith were noticed during the days of
Maharaja Ranjit Singh's rule in thepunjab. Baba Dayal, Founder of the Nirankari
Movement, was the first among the Sikh religious reformers to have preached
against the evils that had slowly crept into the Sikh social and religious life. He
preached against idolatry, worship of graves, tombs and trees and belief ip other
complicated Brahmanical rites and ceremonies and exhorted his followers to worship
one Nirankar (God). Though Baba Dayal was able to attract a number of followers
known as, "Nirankaris" because of their belief in one Nirankar and who followed
Sikh ceremonies in birth, death, marriage and other social usage, yet his movement
could not make a very wide impact on the Sikh masses who still lacked educational
awakening.
Religious Pluralism-I1 Sikhism developed in the Nirankari movement with one of the followers Baba Avtar
Singh starting a parallel movement of his own known as Sant Nirankaris.

ii) The Namdhari Movement

The Namdhari Movement, is popularly known as Kuka movement. Started by

Bhagat Jawaharmal and Baba Balak Singh, the movement became a powerful
force of religio-political revival among the Sikhs under one of the latter's disciples,
Baba Ram Singh. Baba Ram Singh particularly enjoined upon his followers the
worship of one God through prayer and meditation. The Rehatnamas (moral codes)
prepared and enforced by him exhorted all his followers to be engaged at all time
in the worship of God. He also preached against social evils such as the caste
system, infanticide, early marriage and barter of daughters in marriage and popularised
simple and inexpensive Anand Marriage. The teachings of Baba Ram Singh seem
to have had a wide appeal to the Sikh masses. Contemporary European officials
viewed the growing popularity of Baba Ram Singh's mission with serious concern..
-

Box 2

Baba Ram Singh's mission was specially marked by teachings of

righteousness, tolerance and mercy yet some of his followers got out of
control and in a fit of religious frenzy committed certain excesses which
resulted in a clash with the Government. Some of his more orthodox followers
who were excited over the killing of the cows, murdered the butchers at
Amritsar, Raikot and Malerkotla and were, as a punishment, blown off from
the cannon's mouth. Though there is a difference of opinion among scholars
as to whether the movement was religious or political, there is no denying
the fact that the official action against the Kukas created great hatred for
the British rulers in the minds of the people in the Punjab which helped
prepare the ground for the subsequent religio-political struggle for the Akalis
in the early twentieth century.

iii) Akali Movement

Historically Akalis are the members of the suicide squads of the Sikh armies which
first appeared about 1690 AD when the execution of two predecessors and continued
persecution by tne Mughals forced the 10th Guru of the Sikh (Guru Gobind Singh)
to resort to armed struggle against the rulers. The Akalis are also known as
Nihangs who traditionally wear blue dresses. In 1920s the Akali movement was
again revived as a semi para military volunteers raised to oppose the British
government. The Akalis represented the Sikh community to regain their control
over the Gurudwaras, in the agitation for an independent Punjabi speaking, Sikh
majority state. Thus the state of Punjab was formed in 1966. The Shiromani Akali
Dal is a major poli.tical party in Punjab (The New Encyclopedia Britannica, 1985
: 185).

23.5.3 Impact on Indian Society

With its emphasis on unity of God and brotherhood of mankind Sikh thought greatly
influenced the Indian Society. Through their condemnation of the caste system the
Sikh Gurus were able to make a major dent in the traditional hold of caste. By
emphasising equality of all religions and by including hymns from the Hindu Bhaktas
and the Muslin saints the Sikh Gurus set an example of true ecumenism. By
reconciling two conflicting traditions - Hinduism and Islam the Sikh Gurus gave
a positive direction by emphasising transcendental humanism and spiritual values.
The Sikh Gurus perceived that there was a real lack of love among people and '

therefore they laid great emphasis upon spiritual practices and preached philosophy
I of the God, the suprertie reality. At a time when debate about superiority of one
religion against another has again started the following hymns of the third Guru help
to resolve the religious conflict:
Sikhism

I
"Of all the religions the best religion is to repeat God's name and to do
pious deeds."

Check Your Progress 3

I
i) Mention few don'ts as observed by the Sikhs as their religious code of conduct.

....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................

I ii) Baba Dayal, the founder of the Nirankari movement preached against:

a) idolatry
b) worship of graves, tree, tombs etc.
1 c) belief in Brahmanical rites

I
d) all of the above

iii) The Namdhari Movement preached:

I a) to popularise simple marriage

I b) dowry marriage
c) caste system
d) early marriage

In this unit we discussed various aspects of Sikh religious belief and the development
of Sikh society over the years. We started with the socio-cultural and the philosophical
foundation of Sikhism. There we discussed the socio-cultural contexts in which
Sikhism was born with the life and message of Guru Nanak. We also discussed the
model of the Sikh society as established by Guru Nanak in his life time. Development
of Sikhism and the appearance of the ten Gurus are discussed briefly in this unit.
The worship pattern of the Sikh society, their life cycle rituals etc. were also
discussed. Lastly we discussed the Sikh code of conduct and religious reform
movements in Sikhism. Here we presented the Nirankari, Namdhari and the Akali
movements as examples of the religious reform movements in Sikhism.

23.7 KEY WORDS

Am rit : Baptismal nectar.
I

i Kachhr
: Drawer or big size underwear.
 Religious Pluralism-I1 Kam : Iron bangle
d

Keshas : Unshorn hair

Khalsa : The word Khalsa, literally meaning God's own is used

for baptised Sikhs.

Kirpan : Sword

Kirt Karni : Honest Labour.

Langar : Free meal served in the Gurudwara.

Nam Japna : Meditation

Nishan Sahib : Yellow colour Sikh flag.

Sangat : Congregation
i
Wand Chhakna : Sharing one's earnings with others.

23.8 FURTHER READINGS

Khushwant Singh, 1986. History of the Sikhs, (Vol. I andiII) Princeton University
Press: Princeton.

Harbans Singh, 1985, Heritage of the Sikhs, Manohar: New Delhi. /

Mohinder Singh, 1988, The Sikhs, National Institute of Punjab Studies: New Delhi

23.9 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Check Your Progress 1

ii) Guru Nanak was engrossed in spiritual pursuits since his childhood. One morning
when Nanak went for a dip in the river Bein he was absorbed in thoughts of God
and in this stage he was into the divine presence. First words that he uttered after
his enlightenment were "there is no Hindu, there is no Musalman".

iiii The three principles are - always remembering God, earning one's livelihood
through honest means, and sharing ones fruits of labour with others.
I
1 Check Your Progress 2
i) b.
iii d.
iiii d.

Check Your Progress 3

i) Among the few don'ts are eating Halal meat prepared in the Muslim way, removing
hair from body, use of alcohol and adultery.
ii) d.
iii) a.
Ir References References

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