Professor Grewal also analyzes the emergence of Sikhism in relation to the changing historical situation of Turko-Afghan rule, the Mughal empire and its disintegration, British rule and independence. This volume offers a comprehensive overview of Sikhism. It highlights the religion's origins and development as a living spiritual tradition in communities around the world. It also pays careful attention to particular events, movements, and individuals that have contributed to important changes within the tradition and challenges stereotypical notions of Sikh homogeneity and stasis, addressing the plurality of identities within the Sikh tradition, both historically and within the contemporary milieu.
Extensive attention is paid to the role of women as well as the dominant social and kinship structures undergirding Punjabi Sikh society, many of which have been widely transplanted through Sikh migration. The migration patterns are themselves examined, with particular focus on Sikh communities in the U. Finally, the volume concludes with a brief exploration of Sikhs and the Internet and the future of Sikhism.
This book is one of the first to introduce newcomers to Sikhism's meanings, beliefs, practices, rituals, and festivals. I highlights the key threads in the fascinating history, from the Gurus and the development of the Sikh appearance, to martyrdom and militarization in the 17th and 18th centuries, and the diaspora.
It also examines the recent proliferation of Sikh lifestyles in today's news and entertainment media. This book is an essential guide to increasing understanding of the Sikh religion and culture. The A to Z of Sikhism by W. This reference is an excellent place to learn more about the religion.
Introduction Sikhs , followers of the Sikh religion, centered in Punjab State, in northwestern India. Sikhism is an ethical monotheism fusing elements of Hinduism and Islam. It was founded by Nanak , a mystic who believed that God transcends religious distinctions. Beliefs and Practices Influenced by the devotional emphasis of bhakti Hinduism and Sufi Islam, Sikhism stresses the unity, truth, and creativity of a personal God and urges union with him through meditation on his title, the Name Nam , and surrender to his will.
It also advocates active service rather than the Hindu ideal of ascetic withdrawal. Loyalty and justice are admired, smoking and intoxicants forbidden. Sikhism also rejects the Hindu caste system, priesthood, image worship, and pilgrimage, although it retains the Hindu doctrines of transmigration and karma. Members of the Khalsa are instructed to observe the five k 's: They must wear four symbols of the Sikh faith—soldiers' shorts kaccha , an iron bangle kara , a steel sword kirpan , and a comb khanga —and they must not cut their hair kes.
History Nanak, the saintly first guru, wandered over India seeking converts. He was succeeded by nine gurus, the office staying within the family line of the fourth guru, Ram Das. Ram Das was also the founder of the Golden Temple.
The fifth, Arjan Dev, compiled the Adi Granth in As the Sikhs became a distinct religious community, they took up arms against persecution by Hindus and by Muslim rulers of the Mughal Empire. Opposing Mughal tyranny, the tenth guru, Gobind Singh, formed the Khalsa in During the decline of the Mughals, the Sikhs, led by the warrior Ranjit Singh, created a powerful state in the Punjab about that eventually threatened British-controlled India.
After internal dissension and two wars the Punjab was annexed by the British in The British governed the Sikhs fairly and, in return for their loyalty during the Sepoy Rebellion of , gave them preferential land grants. The Sikhs gained wealth and a great reputation as soldiers and policemen. During the creation of an independent India in , the Sikhs lost their privileges and found that Punjab was to be divided between India and Pakistan.
Many Sikhs migrated east to be on the Indian side of the partition. In response to years of agitation, the Indian government created Punjab as a single Punjabi-speaking state in ; it remains the home of most of India's more than 16 million Sikhs. Terrorism by Sikh separatists demanding greater autonomy led the Indian government in June to send in troops to seize the Golden Temple from Sikh extremists, who vowed to avenge the violence.
Sikh members of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's personal guard were implicated in her assassination on October In an accord was finally reached with the Indian government on expanding Punjab.
Sikh terrorists then stepped up their activities, demanding the establishment of a Sikh state, Khalistan. In the government sent in police and army reinforcements and reestablished its authority in Punjab. The Sikhism Home Page A beautiful and well put together page - the focus is mostly devotional but does include information on the Sikh alphabet Gurmukhi, essays, audio taped prayers to download, a bibliography as well as links to other online resources Maintained by Sandeep Singh Brar.
By Makhan Singh Purewal. By Devinder Singh Chahal, Ph. Pecorino All Rights reserved. Web Surfer's Caveat: These are class notes, intended to comment on readings and amplify class discussion. They should be read as such. They are not intended for publication or general distribution. Return to: Table of Contents for the Online Textbook. It is an example of Sikhism inclusiveness, Johar says. At the end of the service, congregants pray for the "well-being of the world" then head to the langar, the community kitchen that serves meals for anyone who wants one.
Gurdwaras around the world variously incorporate clinics, schools, guest quarters and community centers, which Sikhs say is a sign of the religion's values of service and equality. The first gurdwara in the United States was built years ago in California, Singh says. Photos: American turban. For Sikhs, the turban is not about culture, it's an article of faith that is mandatory for men. Turbans were featured in "The Sikh Project," a exhibition that celebrated the Sikh American experience.
British photographers Amit and Naroop partnered with the Sikh Coalition for the show. This photo is of New York actor and designer Waris Singh Ahluwalia, who was kicked off an Aero Mexico flight in February after refusing to remove his turban at security. Hide Caption. Harpreet Kaur, a producer at Maryland Public Television, founded Sach Productions, a media organization that creates films focused on minority issues. She was the first Sikh reporter in Washington. Harmandeep Singh, a high school senior in New York, arrived from India in Ishprit Kaur's mother is a nurse and inspired her daughter to become one, too.
Kaur was also drawn to the medical field because her father is battling Parkinson's disease. Japjee Singh, like many Sikh kids, was bullied for years in suburban Atlanta schools. In , the Department of Justice settled a landmark case with the DeKalb County school system that paved the way for better protection from bullying. He was the only Sikh child in his public school and became the first Sikh American to be granted a religious accommodation to serve in the military since a s ban that prevents Sikhs from serving.
Kalsi deployed to Afghanistan and now works to end religious discrimination in the military. He converted to Sikhism 48 years ago at his college in Michigan and has been living in Fairfax, Virginia, for the last 30 years. Raghuvinder Singh travels from his home in New Jersey to Oak Creek, Wisconsin, every week to see his father, Punjab Singh, who was shot in the face in the mass shooting there.
Punjab Singh remains paralyzed and communicates through blinking his eyes. He worked with the Sikh Coalition to sue the transportation authority over a policy against turbans and won. Musician Sonny Singh is a member of the Brooklyn Bhangra band. In his other life, he's a community organizer who leads workshops on race, religion and social justice. Most Sikh men don't cut their hair and wear turbans and beards. Many American Sikh women dress like other Westerners or wear the salwar kameez, a traditional north Indian garment of a long shirt and loose-fitting pants.
Sikhism emerged more than years ago in Punjab, in what is now India.
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