Sikhism

Sikhism or Sikhi in Punjabi has been derived from the word “seeker” or “disciple” or “learner”. Around the end of the 15th century CE, Sikhism which is referred to as the “Indian Dharmic religion” was established in Punjab of the Indian subcontinent. Sikhism is one of the youngest religions among all the major religions that have been known to the world. There are as many as 24 million Sikhs worldwide in current days making it the fifth-most largest organised religion in the world. 

More About Sikhism and Its Founder

Guru Nanak who lived for a time span of 1469 to 1539 was the 1st guru of the Sikh religion and the entire religion has developed based on the teachings he provided. He was followed by nine other gurus who added on to the teachings of Guru Nanak. Guru Govind Singh was the tenth guru and the last successor of the Sikh religion who named the Sikh holy scripture, Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Govind Singh was the last guru who drew the line of closure of the human guru and established the scripture as the last eternal 11th living guru who was considered as the religious spiritual life of Sikhs.

The teachings of Guru Nanak included that living a life that comprises of “active, creative, and practical life" of "truthfulness, fidelity, self-control and purity" is above transcendental truth and that an ideal man “establishes union with God, knows His Will, and carries out that Will". The sixth guru is Guru Hargobind Singh who introduced through his teachings the concept of co-existence of the Miri ('political'/'temporal') and Piri ('spiritual') principality. 

The scripture of Sikhism comprises several mantras of teachings that open with the Mul mantra which is known as “Ek Onkar” which means “one God”. The fundamental beliefs of Sikhism build upon the core teachings that are articulated in Guru Granth Sahib that including the meditation and prayers in the name of one divine God, unity and equality of all mankind, engaging in selfless servings referred to as “Seva”, all honest conducts to lead a livelihood, living a household life and to endeavour justice for the prosperity and the benefit of all the people around. 

Sikhism emphasizes meditation and adherence to the teachings of the gurus that are referred to as Simran. They are mostly expressed by musical involvement that is known as Kirtan or Naam Japan so as to feel the presence of God around. The main part of the teaching is the requirement and the measures of the conversion of the “five thieves” as lust, rage, attachment, greed and ego. 

Sikh Religion History

As the name suggests Sikh stands for “learners” and those who aim to seek guidance actually became the followers of the Sikh religion following its path which is also referred to as “Panth”. The traditions of the Sikh have always been different from their Hindu counterpart as Sikhism claims to be widely varying from that of Hinduism. But many scholars and experts have argued on this as they claim that the early venture of Sikhism was a movement within the Hindu tradition. 

This argument was derived from the fact that Guru Nanak himself was of Hindu origin and identified himself as a saint also called “Sant” of Northern India that is actually associated with the mystic and a great poet named Kabir. Most of such saints including 1st guru of Sikh, Guru Nanak, were also poor and dispossessed but they created great hymns that usually expressed the beauty of the divine that they could experience in everything that nature has created. 

The establishment of Sikhism is closely associated with the history of Punjab and the socio-economic condition of the north-western part of the Indian subcontinent during the 16th century. During the time of Jahangir as the successor of the Mugal Empire, the Sikhs revolted against the Mugal rules as they were cherishing the Saints of Islam while rising against the Mugal successions. Many prominent Sikhs were brutally murdered and executed publicly because of disobeying the Mugal law and opposing the oppression that was done on Sikhs by Mughals. Among the 10 Gurus of Sikhs, two were tortured to death and they are Guru Arjan Dev and Guru Tegh Bahadur. 

Also the close connections of the gurus like two sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh who were seven and nine years old. For refusing orders many of such great teachers and disciples of Sikhism like Banda Bahadur (1716), Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Dayala were executed as they refused to follow the orders of the Mughals. After such brutal oppression of the Sikhs and the Hindus, the Sikhs militarized themselves to stand against the Mugal ruling in India.

The rising of the Sikh Confederacy under Maharaja Ranjit Singh who was a part of the Sikh empire was actually a reflection of the religious pluralism and religious tolerance with Muslims, Christians and Hindus in power. The uprising of the Sikh Empire is considered as the high point of Sikhism in the political sphere. During the time of the political rise of the Sikh empire from 1799 to 1849, it expanded its territory to Kashmir, Ladakh and Peshawar where many Hindus, as well as Muslims peasants, choose to convert themselves into Sikhs.

Commander-in-chief of the Sikh army along the northwest Frontier from 1825 to 1837 named Hari Singh Nalwa have incorporated many innovative militaries, political as well as economic reforms. The strong opposition to the partition of India came from Shiromani Akali Dal and Chief Khalsa Diwan that was conducted by Master Tara Singh. He viewed the establishment of a new nation will be equal to inviting oppression, discrimination and tyranny.     

Sikh Guru: Guru Nanak

In the year 1469 in Talwandi which is presently renamed as Nankana Sahib after the name of Gurunanak that is situated in the state of Punjab in present-day Pakistan, Guru Nanak was born. He was born in a Hindu family where his parents were Khatries who are actually responsible for keeping accounts. The name Nanak signifies that he might have been born in his maternal place known in Punjabi as their nanake. Guru Nanak had two sons with his wife named Sulakhani. Before he had life-changing experiences on the religious front, he worked as a storekeeper for the governor of the Muslim empire.  

One day as he was taking a regular bath in the river by his house, he had experienced the mystic presence of God around him. After the experience of being swept into God’s presence, he left his family and all his possessions and started communicating his spiritual insights. His spiritual insights came out in form of poetic expressions that he even sang accompanying with the musical instrument Rabab that his fellow Muslim travelling companion, Mardana, played. After massive travelling, he finally settled down in Chhatarpur which means creator’s ground along with a few of the disciples who are referred to as Sikhs that he gathered around him. 

By looking at his poetic creations that were later compiled as Guru Granth Sahib massively reflected his true awareness about one supreme power who is channelizing all the phenomena of this earth. His poetry clearly reflected the need to integrate the world rather than the showcase of the faith in God as an out worldly display of faith. He also explains the need to be mindful towards God and being helpful towards other people by means of dan means giving to others. His poems richly incorporate nature in the form of animals, birds and human farming and cultivating and commerce. 

His importance is not just felt because of the inspirational teaching but also because of the insights he provided on practices that one needs to make while giving a whole new religious movement. He settled in Khatarpur with his disciples and then appointed his successor named Guru Angad on the basis of his devotion and his selfless services. 

Guru Nanak is often referred to as “Baba Nanak” respectfully by the Punjabi Muslims, Punjabi Hindus as well as Sikhs. The birthday of Guru Nanak is celebrated every year on a full moon day of November that is marked with an Akhand path that is a continuous recitation of his compilations in Guru Granth Sahib for 48 hours that continues till the morning of the festivity. 

Conclusion

Therefore, in this article we have covered about the founder of Sikhism and its origin. The founder, Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji was one of the important saints of the Bhakti movement in Northern India whose teachings led to the establishment of a new religion which focuses on the equality of men and women irrespective of their caste, creed, race and gender. After Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the ultimate Guru that shows path to the followers is Guru Granth Sahib Ji which is a religious text of Sikhism.